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Chrysler has focused fresh attraction to its 300 flagship sedan this year by replacing an “8” with a “6,” then tossing out a “5” and installing an “8.” It’s a numbers game I’m playing, based, first, on cylinders, and, secondly, on available gears.

“The finest Chrysler ever built,” said John Schenden, longtime dealer out north on 104th Avenue. So impressed is he, that he offered me use of his personal 300 Limited AWD, deep cherry red in color.

It is equipped with what is fast becoming a combination of choice, the 300’s 292-horsepower, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and Chrysler’s new 8-speed automatic transmission. Let me be clear, though, the famed Hemi V-8 is still available. The Pentastar “6” is a sensible substitution for the Hemi “8,” and the 8-speed tranny with electronic shifter is a great choice over the 5-speed automatic of the past.

Excellent, smooth power and elevated fuel-mileage levels are benefits of the Pentastar/8-speed combo. The all-new 3.6-liter engine features dual overhead camshafts and aluminum exhaust manifolds; 90 percent of the power delivered in a flat torque curve peaks from 1,600 to 6,400 rpm, for excellent response. It easily outperforms the 250-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 used previously. As smooth as the gear changes are, the shifter takes some getting used to, as it is designed for an ‘easy-touch” style.

We drove to Estes Park, following U.S. 34 up Big Thompson Canyon partway, then following the “back road,” Devil’s Gulch Road, through Glen Haven, getting testing benefit of the narrower road and a couple switchbacks.

Cornering is much improved in the long-wheelbase 300 (120 inches), with 20-inch wheels, and a bit of understeer is in evidence. The ride is among the most comfortable of any of the full-size sedans. The Chrysler’s trunk space of 16.3 cubic feet fails to match up in size to Ford Taurus’ 20-cubic-foot cargo area, though it outsizes the Buick LaCrosse’s 13.3.

Fuel economy is noticeably improved in the new power setup. A rear-drive Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan carries an EPA highway rating of 31 miles per gallon. The 300 Limited, with all-wheel drive, is rated at 18/27; with mostly highway driving, I averaged 25.9 mpg.

Inside, the Nappa leather/wood trim is a highlight, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen for Beats audio and navigation. A double sunroof brightens the interior, which also features heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, a heated wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel.

From a base price of $34,820, the 300 Limited sedan soared to a sticker price of $44,700 with the addition of amenities such as dual-pane panoramic sunroof, Beats audio with 10 premium speakers and dual subwoofers, Garmin navigation, the heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, power rear sunshade, heated and cooled cupholders and adaptive cruise control.

Dual-zone temperature control, leather-trimmed bucket seats, remote start, variable intermittent wipers, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, electronic stability control, side-curtain front and rear airbags and driver inflatable knee-bolster airbag are all standard items.

Infiniti FX50 AWD
‘muscles’ its way

The 2012 Infiniti FX50 AWD has been fitted with a more dominant front grille, bolstering first-impression positives already attained from its huge hood, muscular wheel wells, 21-inch wheels and the roar of its V-8 engine.

Its tough-guy look and performance capabilities have placed it on a competitive level with other highly regarded models – the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X6, Range Rover Sport, Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi and the Volkswagen Touareg.

The FX’s 390-horsepower, 5.0-liter engine is tied to a responsive 7-speed automatic transmission with magnesium/leather paddle shifters. The power combo earns a so-so EPA estimate of 14-20 miles per gallon of fuel; I averaged 18.9.

The FX is 9 inches longer and 400 pounds heavier than Infiniti’s more carlike EX35 crossover. The bigger unit is a compliant handler, even with its obvious upright stance.

Inside, the FX50 is dressed up with maple wood trim, quilted leather seats, power moonroof and analog clock.

Intelligent cruise, lane-departure warning, brake assist, adaptive front lighting and rain-sensing wipers boosted sticker price to $66,545. Other highlights are navigation, around-view monitor, Bose 11-speaker sound, XM satellite, power rear liftgate and curtain side-impact air bags with rollover sensors.

A look back

Thirty-two years ago this week, I reviewed in The Denver Post a 6-cylinder-powered 1980 Chevrolet half-ton pickup, borrowed from Stevinson Chevrolet. Excerpts:

A piano-hauling trip to Fort Worth, Texas, provided a recent test for a half-ton Chevrolet with a 250-cubic-inch inline-6-cylinder engine and automatic transmission. With the load in the back, the wide-seated C10 rode good through the wind of New Mexico and Texas. Power steering added surprising nimbleness in city traffic. Gas checks from Denver to Fort Worth with the load aboard were 15.8, 15.5, 15.6 and 17.2. Unleaded-fuel prices ranged from $1.139 at Wichita Falls to $1.218 at Amarillo. Sticker price on the C10 Fleetside was $6,965. Other engines available on the C10 are V-8s of 305 and 350 displacement.

2012 Chrysler 300

$44,700

(price as tested)

MPG City 18 Highway 27

Vehicle type: Full-size AWD sedan

Wheelbase: 120.2 inches

Length/Width/Height: 198.6/75/58.4 inches

Weight: 4,175 pounds

Engine: 3.6-liter V-6

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Fuel mileage: 25.9 mpg

Fuel tank: 19.1 gallons

Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles basic; 5/100,000 powertrain

Competitors: Lincoln MKS, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Genesis, Toyota Avalon, Buick LaCrosse

Built at Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Parts content: U.S./Canadian 59 percent, Mexico 16 percent, Germany 15 percent

THE STICKER

$34,820 base

$3,250 Leather-trimmed bucket seats, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel

$2,420 ParkSense, rear park assist, adaptive SmartBeam headlamps, adapative cruise, rain-sensitive wipers

$1,495 dual-pane panoramic sunroof

$995 Beats audio 10 speakers with dual subwoofers

$795 SiriusXM traffic, Gamin navigation

$925 Destination

PLUSES

Capable V-6

8-speed transmission

Quiet, comfortable ride

MINUSES

Rear visibility

Pricey powertrain