1999 Chrysler 300M SOHC 3.5-liter V-6 Engine

Chrysler designers describe the 300Mis tail work as blending full body shapes with the chiseled edges of the shortened rear deck to project an image of muscularity in the caris flanks. At the bottom edge of the rear fascia sprout dual exhaust tips, the better to emphasize the role of its gutsy 3.5 V-6 powerplant.

The 300Mis steel skin is as wind-cheating as it is beautiful. Wind-tunnel tests reveal a fuel-economy-enhancing 0.31 drag coefficient. A sleek body shaping also ensures low wind noise, particularly important at the higher speeds at which a true sport sedan is often driven. This Cd figure is most impressive given the caris generous size.

A V-6 THAT THINKS IT'S A V-8 Looks are nice, but a sport sedanis heart is its engine. Without a strong powerplant, a fancily styled car is quickly marked as a pretender. Thereis no danger of that here. The 3500-pound 300M launches, accelerates to speed, and passes with the sure and secure muscle provided by an all-new, lightweight SOHC 3.5-liter V-6 developed specifically for this platform.

The 300Mis free-breathing 24-valve all-aluminum engine generates a class-leading 253 horsepower at a remarkable 6400 rpm and 255 pound-feet of torque at 3950 rpm. Thatis on unleaded 89-octane mid-grade fuel with a 10.1:1 compression ratio. The engine is loaded into the bay longitudinally for best space usage and a low hoodline a 90-degree contrast to the transversely mounted engines in most front-drive models.

The engineis aluminum block features cast-in iron liners, which adds a few pounds. But Chrysler engineers wanted the additional durability versus light-alloy, high-silicon cylinder bores. Chrysler also uses a smooth-running 60-degree configuration. Other makers with 90-degree V-6s must rely on complicated, heavy, power-sapping balance-shaft systems for optimal engine smoothness. And that quality is critical when your engine redlines at a lofty 6800 rpm.