Not literally of course, but this is a fast hot rod, and the best thing is it’s also a family sedan -- a full-size family sedan, that rare breed of vehicle that still hangs on by a thread in a landscape dominated by crossovers or compact/midsize sedans.

I spent a week driving a 2015 Chrysler 300S and i’m back with a full report on what it has to offer:

LOOKS

A bright, shiny red paint scheme came with my test vehicle, and was hard to ignore.
The 300S has a distinct design, including a wide, raised rear and plenty of length. There are some competitors for the 300S in the full-size sedan category (i.e. the Toyota Avalon), but they are nowhere near as powerful and also less attractive designwise.

The interior design of the 300S leaves plenty of room for the whole family, which makes this vehicle an interesting mix. On one hand it can be your family cruiser and grocery getter, but you can also enjoy a powerful engine usually reserved for smaller sports cars.

Some fans of the 300S even go so far as to compare it to European luxury sedan offerings, and while I wouldn’t go quite that far I can definitely say it is a high-end vehicle and something people could be proud to own.

ENGINE, HORSEPOWER
Here comes the unexpected, and fun, part: You can choose a 5.7-liter, V8 HEMI that boasts 363 horsepower and 394 lb.-ft. of torque.
If you’re not so thirsty for power, the base version of the 300S features a 3.6-liter V6.

I was able to test the HEMI, and it was quite an adventure. Just because it’s a large sedan doesn’t mean it won’t go fast; the HEMI makes sure of that. This is a bad (as in “bad meaning good”) ride that can also work as a family ride due to its size.

In terms of handling, the 300S was a bit jerky at times when I was navigating twisty roads, but in most situations the handling is adequate and on par with other vehicles in the class.

Sport mode can be enabled for the fullest experience, and offers increased pedal response and ability to use paddle-shifters.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

As tends to be the case with all Chrysler family vehicles, the tech interface is a pleasure to use -- the UConnect system works its usual magic. The large 8.4-inch screen with all the key topics (radio, climate, etc.) listed across the bottom is simple and effective, and my tests of the voice commands were successful. Music can be streamed from your phone via Bluetooth audio.

The UConnect Access feature offers emergency help and will call 9-1-1 in case of an accident; and also gives you access to several mobile apps -- Aha, iHeartRadio, Pandora and more. Satellite radio is offered free for one year.

There is also the option to add more safety features including: ParkSense Front and Rear park assist system, blind spot monitoring; rear crosspath detection.

MPG
The official numbers are 16 city/25 highway/19 combined; I averaged about 17, but I was testing out that gas pedal whenever I could so I wasn’t exactly trying to be fuel-efficient. In a vehicle like this that just seemed sacreligious to even think about doing.

PRICE
The Chrysler 300S has a base starting price of $34,895; Total price after all options were added came to $41,580.

BOTTOM LINE

I love the versatility of the 2015 Chrysler 300S, which features a roomy setup so the whole family can travel, but also the powerful V8 HEMI engine option -- a rare combination to find in a vehicle.

It’s easy to go fast in this ride, but it’s not hard to control and the overall experience is very enjoyable. The weak of heart will want to avoid the V8 and opt for a tamer setup, but if you want to have a car with a sort of dual-personality (people mover by day, speed demon by night), you’ll find little competition for the 300S.

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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.