It's official. Pirate Posh and Conquistador Becks have left these shores. New money has had enough of sanguine Spain and is off to chase the big bucks in the La La world of Hummers and Scientology.

Europe's most recent disposal of unwanted 'culture' has left a precipitous hole in our otherwise full lives. Pre-palpitations, it is a relief to see the gung-ho US of A softening our vacuum by trading us a shiny, blingtastic replacement for our Becks. The honchos at Chrysler have deigned upon our pernickety eyes a car-cum-tank that is David Beckham reincarnate.

If Becks were a car you could fondle, he would surely be the chesty Chrysler 300c. This effigy of decadence has been clogging our streets, not to mention our atmosphere, for several months now. Available in a 6.1- litre 2-fingered salute to the environment, this is the gangsta wannabes, city bonus boys’ callow wet dream. This poor man's Bentley will certainly turn the Jimmy Choo's of many an aspiring WAG. This car, one feels, is more John Terry than Jonny Wilkinson, a stamping two footed lunge at the Notting Hill boys in their vintage Mercs.

There is no mistaking Chrysler’s assault on Germany’s domination of the luxury saloon market. The 300c’s sheer presence is enough to strike fear in many a Bavarian stakeholder. Albeit, not a Mercedes stakeholder. As of 1998, Chrysler and Mercedes have been singing from the same song sheet. Daimler-Chrysler is the brain behind the giant 300c, whose platform is based on the old Mercedes E-Class. Perhaps this explains how the 300c is able to demolish its rivals in terms of price. Chrysler isn’t priced alongside executive models, but the junior execs sitting below them in the range. The sensible 3.0-litre diesel V6 doesn’t compete on price with the BMW 530i SE, but the 330d SE. Indeed, even the 3-Series costs more than it. Audi fares no better, where, for the same money as a full spec 300c, you’ll only be able to sample a lowly four-pot 2.0-litre TDI A6, in base spec.

So is it worth it? That all depends on whether or not you’re the type to be bothered by scoffing toffs sniffling at your champagne Charlie chav mobile. On the other hand, if it’s bling bling look at me that floats your boat – hop in and enjoy the scorn.

Vital Statistics:

Model: Chrysler 300C 3.0 V6 CRD Saloon
Cost: £26,250
Top Speed: 143mph
MPG: 34.9
Looks: Posh it is Not
Verdict: A wake-up call to German domination.

By Paul Tuthill/MOLI