Chrysler's Europe-Oriented 300M

Back in 2001 I was in London, strolling through the Eaton Square area, when to my surprise I noticed a Chrysler 300M.  As I now discover reading its Wikipedia entry, it turns out that the 300M was originally conceived as an Eagle Vision scaled to a five-meter European size class with the idea that it could be exported to Europe more easily.  It was an LH platform car, but was noticeably shorter than domestic LH platform Chryslers because front and rear overhang were trimmed.  Because the Eagle brand was dropped, it was rebadged as a Chrysler 300 even though it lacked the high performance engineering expected of 300 models.

The 300M was produced for model years 1999-2004.  For 2005 it was replaced by a new 300 line that remains in production as this post was drafted.

Gallery

1998 Chrysler Concorde, an LH platform car from which the 300M was derived.

A 1999 Chrysler 300M. The hood, headlight assemblies, grille and front cap are different.  Note the vertical cut lines forward of the front wheel openings; the 300M's is closer to the opening than the Concorde's.

Side view of a 300M.

Rear 3/4 view of a 2002 Chrysler Concorde.

The shaved-down rear of the 300M.  I think Chrysler stylists did a better job here than at the front, which strikes me as being a bit forced.