Download Print Press Kit: 2005 Chrysler 300 Launch Innovative Technologies Available on the 2005 Chrysler 300 DVD-Based Navigation Radio Debuts On All-New 2005 Chrysler 300 Auburn Hills, Mich. February 29, 2004 - UConnect™ Provides Customers with "Take-It-Anywhere Sense Of Freedom" SIRIUS Satellite Radio™ Entertains Passengers of All Ages If you desire instant communication at the touch of a button or a never-ending selection of music for your road trip, the new 2005 Chrysler 300 has contemporary features to meet your needs. Both UConnect™ and SIRIUS Satellite Radio™ satisfy the busy demands of an individual on the go or the fast-paced life of a family. UCONNECT HANDS-FREE COMMUNICATION Utilizing Bluetooth® technology, UConnect enables customers to receive and place cellular calls virtually hands-free. UConnect is driven through a user's personal mobile phone, and works inside and outside of the vehicle. This promotes a flexible, "take-it-anywhere" sense of freedom, so customers are not tied to their vehicles. The UConnect system is integrated into the vehicle's electrical architecture, which allows the audio to be heard through the radio speakers. A microphone housed in the Chrysler 300's rear view mirror serves as the driver interface. The user's mobile phone may then be placed where the driver chooses inside the vehicle. As a result, conversations may be continued upon entering or exiting the vehicle, without interruption. Calls may be linked to UConnect within 30 feet of the vehicle. "UConnect is about safety, freedom, flexibility and affordability," said Jack Withrow, Director Vehicle Entertainment and Communications, Chrysler Group. "It's technology that is in touch with today's busy lifestyles and demands." The factory-installed option on all 2005 Chrysler 300 features: Voice dialing: Voice commands may be used to dial the phone Audio address book: Enables customers to store 32 names with up to four phone numbers each Audio system mute: Mutes the microphone for privacy Caller ID: The phone number of the caller appears on the radio display Call transfer: Allows the customer to transfer a call from the vehicle's system to the mobile phone or from the mobile phone to the vehicle system Communicates in three languages: English, French and Spanish Multi-phone recognition: Up to seven phones can be used within the vehicle's system UConnect adapts to the users' specific needs and lifestyles. Consumers are able to sign up for wireless and enhanced services with DaimlerChrysler's preferred carrier, AT&T Wireless, or keep their current wireless carrier and telephone number. It's hassle-free, using one phone and one phone number. UConnect allows up to seven multiple phones to be used within the vehicle's system, adapting to an individual or a family. UConnect is the first generation in a family of hands-free, voice-activated, Bluetooth-powered offerings. UConnect is available as a factory and dealer-installed option on all of the new 2005 Chrysler 300s. Factory-installation is $275. The cost for the dealer-installed version of UConnect is $299 (suggested retail price) plus labor. SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO The Chrysler 300 features SIRIUS Satellite Radio. SIRIUS provides coast-to-coast coverage in the United States with 60 streams of commercial-free music and 40 streams of news, talk, sports, and entertainment. Organized into 13 categories of music, sports, news and entertainment channels, SIRIUS employs S>PLEX technology (statistical multiplexing) which optimizes the fidelity on each channel for superior sound resolution. "Similar to what cable did for television programming, satellite radio does for car audio. Satellite radio will be the next 'must-have technology' because it substantially expands the range of entertainment choices for consumers," said Withrow. "SIRIUS Satellite Radio makes driving the new, 2005 Chrysler 300 an experience that's multi-generational, multi-cultural, educational and entertaining." Consumers selecting the SIRIUS Satellite Radio option in their Chrysler 300 will receive a small, mouse-shaped antenna mounted to the roof of the vehicle. Station selection with the radio is easy, using the same familiar method as selecting an AM or FM station. Consumers will be able to scan channels or select pre-set buttons for their favorite channels. Consumers will also be able to search both by music category and channel, which will be displayed on the radio screen. SIRIUS Satellite Radio will be offered as a factory-installed option on the new 2005 Chrysler 300 vehicles. Factory installation is $195 and includes a one-year subscription. DVD-BASED NAVIGATION RADIO DEBUTS ON ALL-NEW 2005 CHRYSLER 300 MP3 Player and Navigation in one system Interacts with UConnect™ to place hands-free calls With the new navigation radio option in the 2005 Chrysler 300, hard-to-fold paper maps may be tossed to the side. Designed with a large, easy-to-read screen, voice guidance and a number of unique options, the DVD-based navigation system has features that will appeal to both road travelers and music enthusiasts alike. The navigation radio system is housed in the center of the vehicle's dashboard, which is convenient to both the driver and passenger. This system features a large 5.8-inch full-color display, MP3 player, AM/FM stereo, six-disc CD system and navigation system in one unit. An eight-way joystick allows the user to scroll through the navigation menus and icons quickly and effortlessly. The system guides the user through the drive route providing voice commands, mile by mile, turn-by-turn until the final destination is reached. Destinations may be entered into the system 10 different ways and the screen may be viewed as a detailed map or enlarged to be viewed turn-by-turn. "With MP3 capability and the option to add various entertainment and communication features, the navigation system is clearly in the forefront of information and entertainment technology," said Jack Withrow, Director, Vehicle Entertainment and Communications, DaimlerChrysler. "The system effectively calculates the quickest and most accurate route and immediately redirects the driver should he or she veer off path - you may never have to stop and ask for directions again." Audiophiles will enjoy the MP3 player, a navigation first, and SIRIUS Satellite Radio™ availability. The MP3 feature enables the user to view and play files and folders contained within MP3 discs. Coupled with SIRIUS Satellite Radio, the stream listing, stream category, song title, and artist may be viewed on the system's display screen. When equipped with UConnect™, the navigation radio becomes compatible with the hands-free module within the system. This feature enables the user to place voice-activated, hands-free calls to "Points of Interests" such as restaurants, banks, or other public addresses located within the navigation system's information database. Phone numbers and call times appear on the system's screen upon incoming calls. The navigation system features a single DVD solution which contains mapping, points of interest and business phone numbers across the U.S. (where digitized mapping data and information are available). The single DVD solution eliminates the need to handle and store multiple discs required in CD-based solutions. In addition, route calculations may be made quickly with Alpine's proprietary software algorithms which provide routing information within 10 seconds. This is crucial when a driver misses a turn and needs an immediate re-route. The navigation system receives its GPS, or global positioning system signals, from up to eight satellites to display the position and direction of the vehicle. A gyroscope and the vehicle's speed sensor enable the system to display the present vehicle position even in locations where a GPS signal may not be available. When a destination is entered, the navigation system uses data from the DVD to quickly calculate a route. NAVIGATION SYSTEM FEATURES Map Zoom: Select from nine different zoom scales to increase or decrease map magnification Voice Guidance: Choose from four options: Maximum, Normal, Minimum or Off Route Guidance: View the screen as a turn-by-turn map, full display map or a combination of both Three Language Option: Select English, French or Spanish. Preferences are in miles or kilometers Four Routing Methods: Shortest Route, Quickest Route, Minimize Toll Roads, Maximum Freeway and Minimize Freeway Automatic Route Recalculation and Detour Functions: The system automatically recalculates the position and displays a new route should the user encounter a detour or stray from the directions indicated on the display monitor Maneuver List: Review the trip itinerary prior to departure and make changes before heading out on the road Trail Function: Obtain longitude, latitude and altitude readings NAVIGATION SYSTEM DESTINATION FEATURES Destinations may be selected from 10 categories: Point of Interest: Select a destination from a list of locations and public places which are grouped by category Address: Locate address by Street Name, City Name and State Personal Address Book: Stores up to 100 personal locations and phone numbers in the system's memory; recalls an address from the address book for use as a destination Recent Destination: Choose a destination from your 10 most recent route calculations Home Designation: Recall a saved address as your destination Trip Itinerary: Enter up to ten destinations to calculate the most efficient route City Center: Calculate a route with the destination at the center of the city Map Display: Select a destination directly from the map screen, without the need to input the city name of street Phone Number: Use a business phone number to find the route to the location Intersection: Input the names of two cross streets as your destination Chrysler Group selected Alpine Electronics, a supplier of high-performance mobile electronics systems, to provide the navigation unit, GPS antenna, and map database information. The map database information is housed on a single DVD-ROM based on NAVTECH data.