Cruising out in the Gold Coast hinterland in a Chrysler 300 C at the weekend it struck me I had the best of both motoring worlds.

A big, in-your-face, latter-day yank tank, with the economy of not-so-long-ago four cylinder cars.I needed to pass and when the double lines broke, I put the foot down, the bonnet lifted, and in a flash I was out, passed a couple of cars and back into my lane.

As I looked down I realised I was doing a speed that could even attract the unwanted attention of a flashing blue light. Being a diesel when I took my foot off the right pedal the CRD powered Chrysler was soon back at 100 km/h.

I also realised even though the 300 C has now been around for a few years, it's magic has not worn off. A reason for this is there's still no car like it ... except perhaps for the Bentley Arnage ... a car beyond the financial reach of mere mortals. Yet, the 300C has been known to be confused by some people as a Bentley.

Another reason for the 300C's on-going popularity is linked directly to what's under the bonnet. It's a car for all seasons and wallets. Entry to the 300 C Club costs $53,990 for the 3.5 litre V6 petrol variant. Our test car with the Mercedes-Benz sourced 3.0 litre V6 CRD is $58,390 while the 5.7 litre V8 will set you back $59,990. Topping off the range is the SRT8, 6.1 litre V8 at $73,990.

Thanks to Chrysler badging you need a magnifying glass to pick one from the other, apart from the SRT8 which has larger wheels and a different grille, not unlike the aforementioned Bentley. Chrysler face-lifted the 300 C last year, but it was more of a tart up than any departure from the vehicle we know.

The troubled company adopted a sensible stance deciding of the 300 C was not broken, it certainly did not need fixing. So it fine-tuned the car to freshen it up.

In reality those improvements did nothing to change the basic car, but simply took it forward with recent technology. It now has MyGig Infotainment System with optional navigation and an iPod interface to the UConnect system.

The external appearance of the car is steady-as-she-goes. Minor changes to the rear fascias and tail lamps. The changes may interest aficionados at motor shows in 50 years time when the 300C is rolled out as a classic of this era. The 300C sedan now features a rear deck lid with an SRT-inspired spoiler and high-mounted stop light. Inside it's more of the same.

There's now LED lighting in the front cup holders and front and rear-door map holders along with soft-touch surfaces on arm rests and door panels. So there's a small addition to comfort for long distance traveling ... to a car already suited to creature comforts in the long haul.

There's now a Boston Acoustics eight-speaker 5.1 Matrix Surround System, which we road tested to the fullest. Nice.

Other interior changes include a new instrument panel and center console design with satin silver bezels.

Safety also got a look in with seat-mounted airbags being added to the front and rear side curtain airbags, with the 300C now claiming six airbags. The reason for our hinterland sojourn was a visit to one of Queensland's premier car show's at Macleans Bridge.

A new classic ,perhaps, paying homage to old classics. Inside the show there was not a diesel in sight ... except for the Toyota Landy 4WD towing a Lotus Super 7.

By the time we returned home the fuel gage in the 300C had barely moved. And why would it. We returned around 9.0 litres/100 kms. Our 300C was finished in silver, which we think does little for the car's reputation as a 'mafia staff car.' Black suits the car and if Henry Ford were around now, we have no doubt he would apply the same rules to the 300C as he applied to the Model-T.

Buyers could have it in any color, so long as it's black. As we returned from Macleans Bridge, over Tamborine Mountain, the big car showed little similarity to the classics of old. Minimal body roll on the tight, twisting corners, an quiet engine at no time fazed by the steep climb, cornering as flat as a the world economy. Yep, classics have come a long, long way.