CHRYSLER 300C is a brave venture into the Grand Touring market for the company. The traditional American brand has very stylish offerings, such as the 'Gucci handbag on wheels' Crossfire, and the luxury MPV Grand Voyager – each aimed at different lifestyles whose members both desire a liberal dose of glamour to go with the practicalities of their required transport.

King of style Chrysler's new offspring is a large grand tourer, available as a saloon and, more recently, an estate. Called the Touring, this estate car is a whopping five metres long. So long, in fact, you could drive it simultaneously through three different counties!

There's a bit of an Anglo-American crossover going on with the 300C. Put Prince Charles in spurs and a ten-gallon hat on a bucking bronco with the Dallas theme tune playing in the background, and you are creating a similar theme.

The 300C is big, bold and brash and my first impression of the car was a mixed reaction of, 'it's huge', 'it looks just like a Bentley' and 'how much is it? I want one'.

Yes, this big Bentleyesque monster turned more heads than any other car I've been fortunate enough to pose in. And lots of people who are unfamiliar with this latest Chrysler did think, albeit for a split second, this was a Bentley – such is the resemblance.

However, a Bentley it is not so don't be fooled. There is no English pedigree here. It seems to be styled more for the American market – Chrysler thinks British drivers love American cars. But it's not true of all British drivers and I think there will be a fairly limited market due to the car's distinctive styling.

Built in Austria with some input from Mercedes-Benz, the best thing about the 300C is the value for money. Look at the list of standard equipment and all the safety features, you come to expect from all Mercedes-Benz cars, and there are lots of 'standard' luxury items. You will want for nothing in this car.

Then look at the performance figures for the 3.0 CRD, priced at £27,275 all-in, and it's an incredibly well-priced package. It is a real talking point, as well as being economical, luxurious and practical. Your friends will all want one. Just don't tell them how much you paid.

The test car 300C 3.0 CRD V8 Touring is the more economical of three choices (the others being a 3.5-litre V6 petrol and a 5.7 V8 Hemi) and is going to be the most popular.

Not only is the 3.0 CRD diesel version more economical than the 3.5 V6 version, it is quicker by almost a second, has a faster top speed, pumps out far less CO2 per kilometre and can tow more weight. And, to top that off, the diesel version has a £20 lower otr price, thanks to its lower emissions putting it into a lower car tax bracket. Fantastic.

The Chrysler engine is a bit noisy from cold and the test car had a really 'tappety' rattle, I'm sure there was something not quite right with this particular car - too many trigger-happy journalists getting power-crazy behind the wheel, I've no doubt.

However, once warmed up, the engine was very powerful and smooth, and the 300C felt like a proper American 'muscle car', so it not only looks but sounds the part, too.

The Mercedes-Benz-designed automatic gearbox, which has the usual delay when pulling off, despite feeling smooth at speed, hindered the start-off motion. Mr T likened it to winding up an elastic band and then it springing to life.

It is no worse than any of the other automatic/diesel combos on the market, and it still manages a reasonable 0-62 mph in less than 9 seconds.

Once you are on the move the car is quick and easy to drive and is very comfortable too. Despite 18-inch wheels with lots of rubber and air between you and the road, the car wallowed in a boat-like fashion and we nicknamed the car, affectionately, the Barge because of this motion.

As is common with lots of American cars 300C is fantastic in a straight line, but chuck a couple of roundabouts and twisty country lanes in its way and it becomes a real handful. I even felt travel sick when I was a passenger, and that's saying something.

It wears its grand touring badge with pride and is definitley at home on the motorway. If Chrysler could just stiffen up that suspension a little more and make it more enjoyable for the passengers, I'd be much happier. After all it has limousine comfort, limousine spaciousness and limousine accents, and all for the same price as an entry level Mercedes-Benz saloon.

This is the ideal car for those who use size as a measuring stick for success and who are proud to wear their lables on the outside. If you'd like a Mercedes-Benz estate with all the trimmings, but can't quite stretch your budget, this is definitely the car for you.

The 300C's ability to turn heads is priceless. And, surely, that's what it's all about.

Chrysler 300C Touring

V8 CRD five-speed autostick

Top speed: 136 mph

0-62 mph: 8.6 secs

Max power: 218 bhp @ 4,000 rpm

Max torque: 376 lb ft @ 2800 rpm

Combined economy: 34.9 mpg

CO2 emissions: 215 g/km

Insurance group: 16E

Fuel tank capacity: 71 litres

Price £27,275