Chrysler's Sebring was pretty hot when it debuted for 2001. Since then, every mid-size competitor has been redesigned—some more than once. These days, it seems fully half the Sebrings we see wear rental-car bar codes or "Official Use Only" government plates. So Chrysler redesigned the 2007 Sebring to challenge the perennially bestselling Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
Atop a platform that, for now, is specific to the Sebring, Chrysler built the boldly styled sedan seen here, which recalls several past and present Chryslers. The headlights and the grille evoke the defunct 300M, the upright windshield mimics the current 300C, and the hood ribs are reminiscent of the Crossfire. Sebring stylists say they looked at the Chrysler Airflite concept from the 2003 Geneva auto show for inspiration, an influence most visible in the shape of the greenhouse.
The Sebring’s underpinnings initially were developed with Mitsubishi, but Chrysler’s Japanese partner pulled out of the project for lack of funds. Consequently, the only sibling we anticipate on this platform in the imminent future is the 2007 Dodge Stratus, which we’ll see very soon.
Inside, the Sebring benefited from practicality lessons from Chrysler's successful PT Cruiser, with a high seating position-2.5 inches higher than that of the outgoing model-and a 60/40-split, fold-flat rear seat with an optional flat-folding front passenger seat to maximize cargo volume. If it's people you are carrying rather than cargo, Chrysler hopes to keep them interested by offering a bundle of gadgets including a voice-activated, touch-screen Harman/Kardon nav system with a USB port and 20-gigabyte hard drive for storing music files; a heated and cooled cup holder capable of heat-cycling a cappuccino from 35 to 140 degrees; and heated seats in leather or cloth.
Inside, the Sebring benefited from practicality lessons from Chrysler's successful PT Cruiser, with a high seating position-2.5 inches higher than that of the outgoing model-and a 60/40-split, fold-flat rear seat with an optional flat-folding front passenger seat to maximize cargo volume. If it's people you are carrying rather than cargo, Chrysler hopes to keep them interested by offering a bundle of gadgets including a voice-activated, touch-screen Harman/Kardon nav system with a USB port and 20-gigabyte hard drive for storing music files; a heated and cooled cup holder capable of heat-cycling a cappuccino from 35 to 140 degrees; and heated seats in leather or cloth.
Four engines will be offered, only three of which will see the U.S. market. The 140-hp turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 236 pound-feet of torque will not be offered here. We will get a choice of a base 172-hp inline-four capable of a claimed 31 mpg highway; a 190-hp, 2.7-liter flex-fuel V-6; and a line-topping 235-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 harnessed to a new six-speed automatic transaxle with manumatic control.
2007 Sebrings will start rolling into dealerships towards the end of 2006, with pricing similar to that of the Camry and Accord.-->
2007 Sebrings will start rolling into dealerships towards the end of 2006, with pricing similar to that of the Camry and Accord.-->
