Chrysler is once again raising the roof in the mid-size convertible segment. The all-new 2008 Sebring convertible is built on Chrysler’s new D-segment platform, and delivers what no other convertible on the road can: Chrysler’s sleek and elegant design, fun-to-drive performance with excellent fuel efficiency, a spacious interior that comfortably sits four adults, and enough room in the trunk to hold two golf bags, when the top is dropped.

The all-new 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible is the only four-passenger convertible to offer three automatically latching convertible top options: vinyl, cloth and a body-color painted steel retractable hard top, all of which can be retracted with a push of a button.

Top that with a standard power hard tonneau cover on all models, and top up or down, the Chrysler Sebring convertible provides the benefits of a coupe and the true open-air freedom of a convertible, all at a surprisingly affordable price staring at $26,145.00.

The Sebring convertible has held the honor of America’s favorite convertible for seven of the past eleven years and leading the segment is still a top priority for the new Sebring convertible. Chrysler’s development team paid keen attention to details, finding ways to make life easier for the driver and passengers, while creating a clean design in the process. The result is a Sebring convertible that delivers many standard innovative and thoughtful features including available remote convertible top-down operation on the new key fob, a fully automatic latching top system, seat belts integrated into the front and rear seats which look clean, enhances seat comfort and makes it easier for passengers to get into the back seat; available remote start allowing owners to warm up or cool down their convertible from a distance, an available windscreen that reduces wind and road noise with the top down, a locking glove box that can secure important documents and small items, an available heated/cooled cup holder, available YES Essentials stain-resistant, order-resistant, anti-static seat fabric; rear cup holders that are positioned in the rear quarter panels for easy access; passenger seat back that includes a map pocket for storage, and doors that include map pocket inserts.

On the outside designers gave the convertible model several design traits from the all-new Sebring sedan such as the distinctive face of Chrysler, the brand’s signature eggcrate grille and a uniquely sculptured hood that features the Chrysler brand’s elegant sculpted lines. The Chrysler winged medallion is centered at the top of the grille just below the leading edge of the hood. Large quad headlamps wrap around to the side where the all-new Sebring convertible’s profile takes on a shape of its own.

The all-new Sebring convertible’s wheelbase is 2.9in. longer, sits 3.5in. taller, and is more than 2in. wider than last year’s model. Overall length is also 3in. longer than the sedan, which lengthens the side profile and provides enough cargo room in the trunk, 13.1cu.ft. with the top up, and 6.6cu.ft. when the top is down, which compares well with the trunk space in most mid-size coupes. The Sebring convertible’s profile is defined by a long hood, a long roofline and a high chrome beltline, all of which give the Sebring a nicely proportioned, elegant greenhouse with the top up. Designers also minimized the width of the C-pillar, improving the convertible’s sleek side profile and increasing rearward visibility when the top is up. Sculpted character lines run across the body, underneath the door handles, and across the lower bodyside, producing the Sebring convertible’s athletic stance. The wider stance also improves the handling and stability of the car while the longer wheelbase improves ride smoothness.

From the rear, wide tail lamps are mounted on the corners and deck lid for visibility and visual impact. Rear fog lamps mounted in the backup lamps help maintain a uniform appearance among models sold around the world. The base LX and upscale Touring models have a single exhaust tip, and the ‘top-of-the-line’ Limited model has chrome-tipped dual exhausts.

The all-new interior features a modern, clean design with focus on quality, craftsmanship and execution. Interior accents of alloy silver and chrome are featured on the dashboard and doors of the LX model, satin silver and chrome on the Touring model, and satin silver, chrome and tortoise shell on the Limited model. The sporty front bucket seats are very comfortable and supportive. Soft surfaces on the interior touch points, including the instrument panel cover, and door arm rests, complement the convertible’s luxurious interior. Inspired by the Chrysler winged badge, the convertible’s center stack features a Chrysler signature analog clock surrounded by dual air vents. The instrument cluster is easy to see and understand with large speedometer and tachometer gauges. All buttons, dials and switches are within easy reach and illuminated for safe nighttime driving. The center floor console features dual cup holders, dual storage bins, and a sliding armrest that moves 3in. to provide a comfortable position for all drivers. The shift gate features a chrome surround for another luxury touch, and is easy to use.

As many as four occupants can experience the new Sebring convertible’s comfortable, roomy interior. Occupants sit 2.5in. higher than they did in the previous Sebring convertible giving them a command-of-the-road seating position. Rear seat passengers also have plenty of leg and head room, making this a functional convertible that can be enjoyed year round in all seasons.

The all-new Sebring convertible was engineered to have an extremely rigid body structure, which gives it a quiet, comfortable ride, devoid of cowl shake, even when the top is down. Compared to last year’s model, the body structure is substantially stiffer in bending and torsion due to very large sills. Its new front-wheel-drive architecture and the three-box vehicle design contribute to a body that is 2.5 times stiffer in twist, and 1.5 times stiffer in bending. These refinements also make the new Sebring convertible structure stiffer than other convertibles on the market costing thousands of dollars more.

Three engine choices power the all-new 2008 Sebring convertible making it easy to choose for the kind of driving needs that today’s consumers have. The standard 2.4 liter four-cylinder ‘World Engine’ with dual VVT delivers 173hp and returns 20mpg/city and 29mpg/highway. The Touring model features a more refined and powerful 2.7 liter V6 producing 186hp and 192lb.ft. of torque. It achieves 18mpg/city and 26mpg/highway. The 2.7 liter V6 is also a ‘Flex-Fuel’ capable engine that can run on any grade of gasoline and E-85 ethanol which is rated at 105 octane that can increase the horsepower and torque figures of the engine.

Both of these engines mate to a 4-speed automatic transaxle. For more power and torque for those that want higher levels of performance is the 3.5 liter V6 engine that makes 235hp and 232lb.ft. of toque. This high-output engine is mated to Chrysler’s new 6-speed automatic transaxle with Auto Stick. This combination delivers excellent performance and fuel efficiency, as well as smooth, quiet operation. It returns a very good 16mpg/city, and 26mpg/highway fuel efficiency.

The fully independent suspension is new and gives you higher levels of performance driving at high speeds and when cornering around twisting roads. Up front are MacPherson struts, coil springs over gas-charged shocks and stabilizer bar in an isolated suspension cradle. In the rear is a multi-link setup with coil springs, gas-charged shocks, a link-type stabilizer bar and isolated rear suspension cradle. The isolated suspension cradles enhance response, and lesson noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) for a real sporty ride.

The new, refined, speed proportional, power rack & pinion steering system really makes driving the Sebring fun and very enjoyable. The small, sporty wheel gives excellent feedback from the road and responds quickly to your inputs. Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control come standard and help keeping you safely on your path, even on slick road surfaces.

Quickly and safely slowing the all-new Sebring convertible are new, larger steel disc brakes with standard ABS and Brake Assist helping you during severe braking maneuvers. Up front are 11.5in. vented discs clamped with single-piston, floating calipers, and 11.8in. solid discs in the rear, clamped with single-piston floating calipers.
The Sebring LX model rides on 16X6.5in. machined and painted cast aluminum wheels wrapped with Firestone 215/65R16in. tires. The Touring model comes standard with 17X6.5in. machined and painted, cast-aluminum wheels wrapped with Bridgestone 215/60R17in. Turanza all-season touring tires, and the Limited comes standard with 18X7in. chrome-clad cast aluminum wheels wrapped with Bridgestone 215/55R18in. Turanza tires. These bigger and high-performance wheels and tires add to the traction and more compliant ride of the Limited model, and are optional on the Touring model.
I really like everything about the new Sebring convertible after my seven-day test drive.
I would like to see a little more higher-grade interior parts with less hard-plastic, and of course rear-wheel-drive to fully appreciate the power and performance of the all-new Sebring.

Standard equipment in the Touring model that I tested, not mentioned above, includes:
Heater/AC, rearview mirror with reading lamps, driver’s manually-adjustable lumbar support, Yes Essentials stain/odor resistant seat fabric, AM/FM stereo radio with in-dash 6-disc player and 6-speakers, travel/mini-trip computer, temperature/compass readout, tire pressure monitoring display, rear courtesy console lamp, center console 12-volt power outlet, auxiliary 12-volt power outlet, electroluminescent instrument cluster, tilt/telescope steering column, power trunk-lid release, power accessory delay, thick-cut pile carpeting with premium front/rear floor mats, heated side mirrors, power door locks/windows with both express down, rear glass window with defogger, variable intermittent wipers/washers, cruise-control, keyless entry, ignition switch on center console. options include leather trimmed seats, steering wheel, shift knob, heated front seats, fog lamps, steering wheel mounted audio controls, power cloth top with two layers of material, a premium interior headliner, and a windscreen. Other options include MyGIG voice-activated Harman/Kardon navigation/audio system with touch screen, voice commands, 20-gigabyte hard drive, DVD/MP3 play capability, Boston Acoustics speakers, automatic dimming rearview mirror, six-way power driver/front passenger seats, and lighted vanity mirrors.

Standard safety features on all three models include front/rear crush zones, steel beams in each door, advanced multi-stage front airbags, supplemental front seat side airbags, supplemental rear side airbags, LATCH ready child seat anchors, Sentry key theft-deterrent system, and inside emergency trunk lid release.

In every respect, the all-new 2008 Sebring convertible is better than last year’s model.
For a starting price of only $26,145.00 it is one of the lowest priced mid-size convertibles on the market and worth a test drive if you are shopping for one.

COPYRIGHT:2008:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

SPECIFICATIONS

Wheelbase: 108.9in.
Track: f/r-61.8/61.8in.
Overall length: 193.8in.
Overall width: 71.5in.
Overall height: 58.5in.
Fuel tank: 16.9 gallons
Headroom: f/r-38.8/37.2in.
Legroom: f/r-42.4/33.5in.
EPA rear compartment volume: 35cu.ft.