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2007 Chrysler Sebring Preview

Chrysler Pitches a Fastball to the Midsize Segment With New Sebring

DaimlerChrysler is trying to eliminate boring vehicles from its lineup. Look at what its launched recently: the 300, the Charger, the Magnum, the Caliber... Even Jeep is trying to mix things up with a turbodiesel Grand Cherokee and the interesting Compass. But Chryslers latest achievement, the new 2007 Sebring just might be the nail in the coffin of bland and average. Like the others, the new Sebring is an example of how Chrysler is reflecting upon its American roots, by pushing forward the strong points of American midsize motoring. Comfort, efficiency and safety are all inclusive of this latest Sebring, but not in recent years has Chrysler produced anything this bold in the midsize segment.

The Sebrings design expresses four fundamental attributes:

Chrysler Group President, Tom Lasorda rolls out in the flashy new Sebring. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, American Auto Press)

expressive, refined, athletic, and passionate, according to Chryslers chief of design, Trevor Creed. The latest Sebring does this, taking on the production-friendly form of 2003s Airflite Concept, which, interestingly enough, was based off the large, RWD LX (300/Magnum/Charger) platform. For those that dont know the Airflite, this stunning retro machine is closely related in nose and tail to the Crossfire. The new Sebring apes the Airflite, maintaining similar proportions in shape and in detail, such as the headlamps, the

Airflite Concept inspired the looks of the new Sebring. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

unmistakable grille, the strakes across the flattened hood, and the bulges around the foglamps on the lower fascia. From the side, one can also see the similarities in the bubble-style cabin and recessed door panels, while front and rear overhangs have been shortened to levels that put emphasis on the Sebrings cab-forward design.

Equally as interesting as the styling is the chassis that the Sebring rides on. The FF-JS architecture (if you could really even call it an architecture) used here was a product of Chryslers tie-in with Mitsubishi prior to the official divorce. The new Sebring shows an intent for better use of

New Sebring is slightly smaller than the old, but packs a greater wheelbase for improved passenger comfort. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

space; overall, the 2007 car is 0.1 inch shorter than the current model, but features a wheelbase thats 0.9 inches longer. The generous 108.9 inch wheelbase should give the Sebring excellent legroom for rear seat passengers. Getting back to the underpinnings, the ones featured here will also be used to underpin the forthcoming Galant, but, in its more compact forms, components found here can also be found in the Caliber, Compass and the soon-to-arrive Mitsubishi Outlander and Jeep Patriot. As Chrysler is aiming to create an affordable luxury sedan, expect the ride to be smooth and comfortable with a bias towards comfort.
With this daring new styling also

The interior looks modern, and different from the norm with good variations of material and color. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

comes a fresh cabin that Chrysler boldly claims is the best its ever made. If this is indeed the case, then theres certainly something to look forward to as Chryslers best - the Pacifica - is an impressively solid and luxurious machine. From these preliminary photos, things look to be on track; the materials have thin, uniform gaps and the plastics appears to be of much improved quality with low sheen and high-level texture. The design is certainly modern, with swooping curves and clearly labeled controls; the old car had the latter, but lacked anything remotely close to the former. All Sebrings get a two-tone interior treatment with different colored plastics for the console, door trim and dashboard, which matches the alternating color of the seats. Higher-end

Front seat can fold flat to make XL-sized tray. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

Sebrings get leather, white LED ambience lighting and a selection of trim materials including satin and alloy silvers, chrome, and like the 300C, faux tortoise shell.

Though it may not be driven by practicality to the same extent as the Caliber, the new Sebring wont disappoint those looking for an accommodating four-door sedan. Like the Caliber, or the Ford Five Hundred the driving position of the new Sebring is mounted high for a better view of the road. Compared to the old car, its a commendable 2.6 inches higher. The rear bench seat features a 40/60 split, and the front passengers seat is capable of folding completely flat to allow extra-long cargo to be brought on board, or, act as a tray table for those riding in back or for holding the drivers laptop. With a shorter rear overhang, the cargo bay of the new 2007 Sebring has decreased

All Sebrings offer great power for the money; entry-level 2.4 I-4 is at the top of its class, while 2.7L V6 yields extra power for the price of the competitions I-4s. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

significantly. The trunk now offers 13.6 cubic feet, which is down from the 16.0 cubic feet that the previous model offered, and is less than its mainstream competitors, the shorter Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

A range of three motors, two of which are new to the model, will power the new Sebring. Entry-level models feature the newly developed World Engine in 2.4-liter guise with VVT that makes 172 horsepower. As the base motor in the Sebring lineup, it offers more power than Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, not to mention its significantly more powerful than the equally large 2.4-liter inline-four which it replaces (150-hp), but it provides a 4-percent decrease in fuel consumption. Chrysler wont be offering a five-speed manual this time around; instead, it will only offer a four-speed automatic, a new pairing to this engine. Chrysler is also offering a 2.7-liter V6 that

Top of the line models will get a new 3.5-L V6 mated to a new six-speed automatic gearbox. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, American Auto Press)

makes 190 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. This motor is identical in size to the one used in the base Magnum and Charger, and when compared to the old 2.7-liter Sebring, it produces 10 less horsepower, but equal peak torque at some 850 rpm less. This motor is also capable of running on E85, which should make it popular amongst fleet buyers. Its also priced effectively: Chrysler aims to offer this engine at the price-point of the competitions four cylinder motors. It will also be mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox.

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