2007 Chrysler Sebring Limited Test Drive

The all-new Sebring’s expressive character continues at the rear where wide taillamps are integrated into both the rear quarter panels and extend into the deck lid for visual impact.

Just below the rear bumper are two, chrome tipped exhaust pipes. To make the enjoyment of your ride and experience even more satisfying is the use of advanced structural technologies and sound-deadening materials to form a safe, solid structure and minimize noise, vibration and ride harshness. I really felt a difference while driving the all-new Sebring as opposed to the coupe and convertible I drove last year.

Sebring has among the highest combined percentages of high-strength and ultra-high-strength, hot-stamped steel among production-volume vehicles on U.S. roads today.

This technology has given Sebring a higher weight-to-strength ratio of high-strength steel reducing Sebring’s overall weight, while also developing a safety gage that keeps occupants safe. In addition, Sebring also features dual-phase steel in the rear rails, tunnel reinforcement and sills. Dual-phase steel allows these components to handle great loads than conventional steels, which helps them manage impact energy more effectively.

The all-new Sebring’s use of structural adhesives is world-class. Components joined with new structural adhesives improve stiffness and impact energy management compared with other joining methods such as spot welding and laser welding. Tougher, more elastic adhesives add strength to Sebring’s joints during an impact. The stronger joints create a more rigid structure and minimize noise, vibration and harshness in the passenger compartment, giving the Sebring more body stiffness, which contributes to its excellent ride quality, comfort and interior quietness. Finally, the Sebring also benefits from extensive application of pumpable and moldable sealers in the upper body to reduce noise, vibration and harshness characteristics. Sebring’s doors are triple sealed to reduce noise and a continuous, one-piece channel-type weather strip mount in a three-piece roll-formed channel in the upper door frames seals both sides of the windows to prevent wind noise and water leaks.

Also benefiting from the advanced use of steel and structural adhesives is the performance of the Sebring. You have a choice of three engines, a 2.4 liter DOHC, inline 4-cylinder making 173hp and 166.b.ft. of torque and returning 24mpg/city and 32mpg/highway, a 2.7 liter DOHC V6 making 189hp and 191lb.ft. of torque and can operate with either unleaded regular or E-85 ethanol. The Limited model that I tested comes with the high-output, 3.5 liter DOHC V6 engine that makes 235hp and 232lb.ft. of torque for robust launches and easy passing on the highway. The first two engines are mated to a four-speed automatic while the 3.5 liter V6 gets a new 6-speed transaxle that has minimized torque-steer at launch.

The fully independent suspension system gives the new Sebring excellent handling ability and a very comfortable ride over poorly paved surfaces. Up front are MacPherson struts, coil spring over gas-charged shocks and a stabilizer bar. The rear features a multi-link setup with coil springs, link-type stabilizer bar, gas-charged shocks in an isolated rear suspension cradle. Riding on 18X7in. aluminum wheels wrapped with performance tires further enhances the performance handling and the compliant ride.

Guiding the Sebring is a new speed-proportional, power rack & pinion steering system with a firmer feel and excellent feedback from the road.

Quickly stopping the Sebring Limited are big, four-wheel disc brakes. Up front are 11.5in. vented discs and 10.3in. solid discs in the rear. The Sebring Limited comes standard with ABS, but Traction Control and Electronic Stability Program are options across the model lineup. I would have liked to see all three standard to further enhance safety for all concerned.

As far as performance and ride quality goes, the Sebring is miles ahead of last year’s version, and certainly expected from Chrysler who must produce world-class automobiles to compete effectively in today’s mid-size segment.

That is also in evidence inside the all-new Sebring and it is a very welcome sight. The same elegance found in the Sebring’s exterior styling also runs through the vehicle’s interior, which features a modern, clean appearance with intense focus on quality, detail and execution. Getting into the roomy cabin is easy with wide-opening doors and a low step-in. The first thing you’ll notice is the dashboard which is inspired by the Chrysler uplifted winged badge motif that is finished in soft-to-the-touch material. You’ll also notice the rich grains and selective gloss levels on other interior surfaces. The instrument panel features a Pebble grain, which is applied to the top cover, top pad, passenger bezel and cluster bezel for a uniform look. The Sebring Limited features an exclusive two-tone Cream and Pebble Beige interior with leather seats. The Limited is also available with upscale accent materials and finishes that includes Tortoise Shell, satin silver, alloy silver and chrome placed on the dashboard and door trim.

The center stack features a Chrysler signature analog clock, which is surrounded by dual heating and air conditioning vents. A large opening provides room for either the standard AM-FM-CD radio or the optional cutting-edge MyGIG Multimedia Navigation/Audio/Entertainment/Communications system. The Sebring’s center floor console features dual storage bins and a sliding armrest that moves 3in. to provide a comfortable driving position for all drivers. The standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel also benefits different types of drivers. All of Sebring’s doors include door map pocket inserts. The rear doors add a bottle holder for added convenience. The back of the driver’s seat features a pocket for storing maps, papers or magazines. Standard 60/40 fold-flat rear seats make room for more gear, and an available fold-flat passenger seat creates a table-like surface to enhance the versatility of Sebring’s interior.

The larger interior of the all-new Sebring adds more comfort up front as there is 2.5in. more headroom, 1.2in. more shoulder room and 1in. more hip room in the front seats. Luggage capacity is a generous 13.6cu.ft.

Standard equipment in the Limited includes power windows/door locks with front express up/down, keyless entry, illuminated entry, dual map lamps with theater dimming, cruise-control, power trunklid release, rear window defogger, 8-way power driver’s seat, automatic climate control, AM-FM-CD/MP3 stereo with 6-Boston Acoustics speakers, Driver Information Screen with trip computer, tire pressure, outside temperature and compass heading readout, power-remote, heated, folding side mirrors, self-dimming rearview mirror, dual sun visors with illumination, electroluminescent instrument cluster, leather wrapped shift knob and steering wheel with audio control buttons, rear grab handles, thick carpeting with front/rear floor mats, and rear pull-down center armrest with dual cupholders.

Standard safety features include advanced multistage front airbags, supplemental front seat side airbags, supplemental side curtain front and rear airbags, 5-three point safety belts with pretensioners/load limiters up front, steel beams in each door, front/rear crumple zones, rear door protection locks, LATCH-ready child seat anchor system and a security alarm.

Chrysler is entering the most competitive segment in the industry, ‘mid-size, near-luxury performance sedan. The all-new Sebring Limited has all the goodies that consumers are looking for and time will tell how well the sedan-buying consumer welcomes another mid-size sedan.

ALL NEW 2007 CHRYSLER SEBRING LIMTED
“A NEW HEAD TURNING SEDAN”

COPYRIGHT:2007:HARVEY SCHWARTZ – EDITOR, AUTOMOTIVE ADDICTS

Price MSRP: $27,515 Invoice: $25,309

Type: Midsize Sedan
Where Built: United States
EPA Class: Midsize Cars

Dimensions
Exterior
Length: 190.6 in.	Width: 71.2 in.
Height: 59 in.	Wheel Base: 108.9 in.
Curb Weight: 3287 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 40.1 in.	Front Hip Room: 53.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 56.4 in.	Rear Head Room: 38.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 56.4 in.	Rear Hip Room: 53.2 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.4 in.	Rear Leg Room: 37.6 in.
Luggage Capacity: 13.6 cu. ft.	Maximum Seating: 5
Performance Data
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 6	Base Engine Size: 3.5 liters
Base Engine Type: V6	Maximum Towing Capacity: 2000 lbs.
Drive Type: AWD	Turning Circle: 36.5 ft.

Fuel Data