2001 Chrysler Sebring Sedan
Chrysler Sebring applies coupe style to new four-door sedan
by Bob Plunkett

SNOQUALMIE, Wash. -- A looped route, weaving through foothills of the Cascade Range in the state of Washington, quickly reveals the taut handling characteristics and precise road manners of a new mid-size sedan from Chrysler.

It tackles sets of curves with the sure-grip posture of a sporty machine, then delivers an instant kick each time you tap the throttle.

Despite the sporty attitude, Chrysler's newest car wears an independent suspension system tuned to favor a smooth ride quality, and the passenger compartment, padded and insulated, amounts to a plush space fitted with luxurious appointments.

There are further concessions for comfort that seem incongruent with the sporty nature of this car, such as the generous proportions of the cabin with seats for a family of five and four doors of a practical sedan rather than only the two doors of some daring coupe design.

Can a sedan with four doors and seats for all in the family effect the sporty persona of a two-door coupe?

Well, factors of practicality and comfort ultimately outweigh the lively manners and pavement poise, but Chrysler's design clearly demonstrates you can pick a sensible car with four doors and room for all yet still get a fun-to-drive vehicle.

Don't let the name fool you, though: It's Sebring.

This year, Chrysler attaches the Sebring label to all of its mid-size vehicles -- sedan, coupe and convertible.

All have been revamped with new structures and powertrains, and they share exterior styling points. However, each is unique, as the coupe and convertible use a platform that's different from the sedan and engines also vary. While Sebring as a sedan may look similar to the sporty Sebring coupe, the two stem from separate structures and use different powertrains.

Sebring as the new four-door replaces Cirrus, Chrysler's former mid-size sedan.

The structure rises from the chassis used by Cirrus with wheelbase of 108 inches, yet Sebring's new package is longer, taller and stiffer. It does a far better job resisting tendencies to twist and bend when set in motion, and this action generates the firm pavement composure.

Styling borrows design traits from Chrysler's larger sedans, Concorde and LHS, as designers develop a family of vehicles that share visual cues. Thus, Sebring's windshield has a dramatic rake that sets up the gracefully arched profile. Also, Sebring's stubby nose shows the Chrysler signature of an exaggerated oval air intake port fitted with the egg-crate grille.

Glimmering headlamps, covered with clear polycarbonate lenses, wrap the front corners above round fog lights set low on either side of the grille.

Flanks flare around wheelwells to emphasize large wheels, which flash brightly with highlights from optional chrome alloy multi-spoke designs. Above door panels, blackened center roof pillars dim traces of the doors for an effect that seems similar to a pillar-less coupe.

Curvaceous rear pillars run down into the rolled rear flanks in a smooth transition from roof to body.

At the tail a spoiler lip arches over bold corner lamps and a thick monotone bumper. An edgy plane at the bottom of the bumper interrupts otherwise fluid contours, then reaches around corners and extends along side rails to define a subtle visual foundation.

Two trim designations draw from different powertrains.

Sebring LX, bearing price tags beginning at $17,945, totes a twin-cam 2.4-liter in-line-four engine that hits 150 hp and links to a four-speed automatic transaxle.

Luxurious Sebring LXi, pegged at $20,830, adds appointments including leather seats and a V6 powertrain.

This plant, displacing 2.7 liters off an aluminum block with twin cams, delivers 200 hp. Despite the output, the engine still achieves good fuel economy numbers and runs on regular-grade gas.

It links to a smooth automatic four-speed transaxle, but as a sporty concession Chrysler offers optionally the AutoStick for shifter control of a manual stick.

Chrysler also makes the V6 an upgrade option on Sebring LX for $800, which pitches a stylish mid-size sedan with V6 power for less than $20,000.

The suspension, with independent elements fore and aft, fosters a smooth ride quality. Both LX and LXi editions use the same suspension components, but wheel size and tires vary. The LX rolls on 15-inch wheels, while the LSi gets larger 16-inch wheels mounted with more aggressive tires.

A cab-forward structural design crafts ample room for passengers by moving the base of the windshield forward to enlarge the cabin in length and breadth.

Sebring's airy cabin sparks with stylish appointments in chrome highlights, leather and glossy simulated wood.

Two bucket seats covered in soft leather for the deluxe LXi edition stand on either side of a central console. In back, a three-person bench has a folding seatback split 60/40 for access to the spacious trunk. The LX trim differs by stretching cloth fabric upholstery across all seats.

Round analog instruments, rimmed with chrome bezels and faced with distinctive black-on-white graphics, tuck below an arched cowl.

The driver sits facing these instruments in a cockpit with toggle switches for windows and locks mounted on the left door and the console to the right holding the transmission shift lever and a padded armrest. On the dash over the console, audio and climate equipment employs large rotary dials in an easy-to-operate plan.

Appointments for Sebring LX include items typically available only optionally, such as air conditioning and power controls for windows, mirrors and door locks. The LXi edition adds the leather upholstery and eight-way power for the driver's seat, plus leather-wrapped steering wheel and a deluxe sound kit with CD player.

Stand-alone options include a power-operated sunroof and audio upgrades, such as six 120-watt speakers and an in-dash CD changer for four discs. The Luxury Group package on LXi adds these items, plus electroluminescent instruments, chrome alloy wheels and the AutoStick shifter.

Safety gear starts with Sebring's strong structure that rings the passenger cabin, but extends to active devices like four-wheel disc brakes with optional anti-lock controls and passive measures such as dual-stage frontal air bags. The headliner will accommodate curtain-style side air bags, available optionally.