When it comes to executive saloons, buyers are spolit for choice. Take your pick from the selection of BMWs, Jaguars and Mercedes, all highly capable cars offering great combinations of performance, comfort and overall prestige.

But for me there is only one car that stands out from the crowd — the Chrysler 300C.

Don’t just take my word for it — take a test drive and just watch all the heads turning, because this is a car that is genuinely different.

Why? It’s difficult to put a finger on exactly what it is. It is a big car in keeping with its American tradition, while the outsize wheels and grille seem almost cartoon-like, but objects of admiration at the same time.

And then of course, there is the feeling that this vehicle should only come in black because, quite simply, it’s a gangster car.

This is the car that would have been the wheels of choice for John Dillinger or Al Capone, had they been alive today, and has been used as scene-stealing transport for cinematic ‘baddies’ such as Ed Harris in A HIstory of Violence.

The stretched flanks, high shoulders and long boot of the 300C carry an air of menace and, for some, excitement, starting with a group of teenage boys who put their party on hold when I turned up to pick up my daughter and were genuinely awe-struck.

Open that big, heavy door and inside the retro-style continues. The instruments are large and art deco style along with the clock. At night they give off a yellow glow, along with the more modern cup holders and map pockets.

The engine is a three litre V6 diesel, sourced from Mercedes from the days of the Daimler Chrysler alliance, while much of the running gear also comes courtesy of the old E-class saloon.

For such a heavy car, acceleration is surprisingly brisk and is accompanied by a satisfying roar from the twin exhausts.

The test model featured SRT (Street Racing Technology) seats in black leather and suede but, while performance is more than acceptable, this is no sports car.

You would have to move up to the SRT-8 with its 6.1 litre engine to be really taking on the top end of the German manufacturers for speed.

Nevertheless, you don’t have to go fast to make an impression in the 300C. Just put one hand on the huge steering wheel, slip the automatic gearbox into drive and cruise.

At night the high density lights flick on automatically, as do the wipers at the first sign of rain.

Automatic dual-zone climate control takes care of the atmosphere inside, while the optional ridiculously high-tech information and entertainment system called MyGIG, incorporates video, telephone, satellite navigation, CDs, MP3 and just about anything else you can think of, including a full 20GB hard drive onto which you can download music and even photographs.

But the real joy of the 300C is just driving such an imposing vehicle. Even in city traffic it is composed, although the car’s major drawback lies with parking.

After a few abortive attempts in a crowded supermarket car park, I drove around until I found two spaces together in which I could swing round. With a limited turning circle, it’s not easy to manoeuvre this beast quickly.

Yet even that does not make the 300C experience stressful. Somehow it remains cool, calm and collected, with an air of quality that belies its price.

Given the choice between this and the best of the rest in the executive class costing considerably more, then for me it would be the 300C every time.

Model: Chrysler 300C SRT Design CRD Peformance: 0-62mph 7.6 seconds, top speed 143 mph Economy: 34.9 mpg (combined) CO2 emissions: 215g/km Price: £32,500 Supplied by: Chrysler Oxford, 01865 376000 Web: www.chrysler.co.uk