2008 Chrysler Sebring Limited AWD Road Test

Creativity, as luck would have it, is not a one way ticket to success. Do something different,

Taken in, bit by bit, the Sebring is an intriguing vehicle. As a whole... most people find it leaves much to be desired. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

and it might take off in a very big way. The iPod is a good example of this. MP3 players had been around for quite a while when the iPod first went on sale, but there was something about Apple's device, perhaps its clean look, its slick, white and mirror finish and button-less interface that drew in the masses. Or the Blackberry. I don't know many business people – myself included - that don't have one (and are constantly using it). There's just something about being able to check your e-mail, search the web and phone people all in one device.

And it works the same in the automotive industry. I cite it a lot, but the Honda Civic is a brilliant example of what a jolt of creativity can do. From mundane transportation appliance to spaceship from the great beyond, Honda took the risk and it has paid off. People just can't enough – sales have never been stronger, with the Civic outselling all other compact cars by a large margin, including Toyota's redesigned (and much less interesting) Corolla. And it isn't just Honda that's cashed in on creativity; Chrysler did it earlier this decade with the ‘60s-meets-art-deco 300, which sold in volumes so large that it made hotcakes look like stale bread. The comeback of the large, rear wheel drive sedan is the sole responsibility of this car, and its LX-chassis kin. The same company's PT Cruiser was another example of getting it right, at absolutely the right time. Few cars enjoyed the phenomenal sales success that this little retro five-door did during its heyday.

The AWD system is simple, and yet very effective. The Sebring shrugged off one of the worst winters we've had. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

But the nature of creativity is that it may not necessarily make for good sales figures, or for that matter aesthetically pleasing designs. It can go awry despite the best of intentions. This, of course, leads us to the Chrysler Sebring. Now, let it be known from the outset that I don't mind the styling of the Sebring. I actually think that in the right color, and with the right wheels, it looks, well, kind of cool. Then again, I know a lot of people who would beg to differ with me in this respect, as they're not particularly enthralled with the execution of its styling, but that's just not how I feel.

You see, much like the 300 the Sebring not only had the potential to be different, but very good at the same time. Someone at Chrysler thought that it would be a good idea to bring the Airflite concept, a cool four-door Crossfire of sorts, into production form, and to make it something that most people could afford (not a high-priced sports sedan). After all, the 300, with its ‘60s block styling and art deco flair worked, so why not something else from that same styling league.

But the problem with concept cars is that they rarely

Interior is hit and miss: the design is different and deserves credit. Some of the materials, however, are lacking. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

translate well into production cars. Between safety regulations, budgets and issues of production feasibility, the discrepancies between show car and road car are often quite large. Had the Sebring actually looked like the Airflite, I'm sure the outcome would have been different, perhaps a little like what happened with the Civic. The Sebring could have been that curve ball when the industry expected a fastball. Instead, what we got was a goofball. I digress...

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