While Chrysler's current large cars, the Chrysler 300M and Concorde and the Dodge Intrepid have been on the decline for several years, the manufacturer announced that it will launch a family of radical new high-powered sedans and station wagons intended to dramatically improve its image and boost sales in 2004.

The all-new LX family, which will go on sale in the spring of 2004, will initially comprise the Chrysler 300C full-size sedan and Dodge Magnum sport wagon. Their debut will mark the return of the big, powerful V8 powered rear-wheel-drive prestige car. "Our strategy is to deploy the Hemi V8 into our cars to break through the clutter," said Stephen J. Bartoli, director of Chrysler brand car marketing and premium vehicle product team

The heavily advertised 5.7-liter Hemi V8 will develop 340 horsepower in the new rear-drive cars, which will accelerate from 0 to 60 m.p.h. in about 6.5 seconds, said Burke S. Brown, LX chief engineer.

Chrysler will begin building all-wheel-drive versions of the Magnum and 300C beginning in July 2004 but has not released a sales date for them.

The cars' 120-inch wheelbase is nearly 5 inches longer than the Cadillac Deville.

The cars share some 20 percent of their components and many of their systems with the new Mercedes E-class luxury sedan. Despite those new features, Chrysler hopes to offer the cars with low base prices.

The base Magnum model will use a 2.7-liter V6 and be priced in the same vicinity as the Dodge Intrepid sedan it replaces, said David M. Kimball, director of Dodge marketing and small vehicle planning. Prices for the 2.7-liter Intrepid begin at $22,795, according to vehicle Web site Edmunds.com.