With brands like Acura and Lexus foundering, Chrysler is continuing to move upscale. An all-new 300 Luxury Series expands the 2012 Chrysler 300 lineup with more style, efficiency and personality, according to Chrysler Group executives.
It is the first domestic luxury sedan to feature a  state-of-the-art eight-speed automatic transmission, which helps deliver Best-in-class 31 highway miles per gallon all-wheel-drive fuel economy when matched with award-winning 292 horsepower, 3.6-liter aluminum Pentastar V-6 engine.    Exclusive Luxury Series appointments include ultra-premium leather and hand-sanded matte wood, which enhance the most luxurious Chrysler sedan ever.
"The new 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Edition is more than just our flagship car, it's the trophy for the tireless majority, an automobile designed and built to meet the most discerning of expectations," said Saad Chehab, President and CEO - Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "It's fitted with a paddle shifting eight-speed transmission found only on cars twice its cost, dressed with the highest grade Italian Poltrona Frau leather and finished with hand sanded real wood found only in exotic cars - all to deliver a surprising combination of hyper craftsmanship, style, technology and 'uber' best-in-class fuel economy at 31 mpg."
 The 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series combines ultra-premium leather - once limited to some of the most exotic Italian luxury cars - with world-class refinement and handling, state-of-the-art safety and connectivity features., Chrysler officials said.  Luxury Series models start at $40,145 and arrive in the first-quarter of 2012. By Joseph Szczesny