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By
EWAN KENNEDY
3 March 2008
Chrysler has further increased its range of imports by
adding a convertible to the lineup – though the company prefers
the tag of cabriolet, perhaps to try and give it a European
flavour.
Styling is very American, its big bold grille having plenty of
brightwork. We really like the shape and bystanders who witnessed
it during our drive program certainly seemed to take the same
point of view.
It’s particularly interesting in that the body is offered
with two different types of open top, one a traditional soft-top,
the other a folding metal format. The latter arrangement is all
the rage in topless cars at present. However, the big disadvantage
of a folding hardtop is that when the roof is up, which, let's
face it, is most of the time, no-one knows you have bought an open
car. Of course the big advantage of a hardtop is the greater
security if offers when the car is parked.
Whatever your argument for or against soft or hard tops,
Chrysler has something for you. A smart move from the American
maker.
The lower cost Sebring Cabrio model comes only with the
soft-top and sits on 17-inch alloy wheels. At $43,990 the Touring
variant provides excellent value for money because it costs less
to make the roof. Standard features in the Touring include an ESP
(Electronic Stability Program) and stain resistant trim (always a
useful feature in an open car),
Chrysler's $51,490 Sebring Limited has the hardtop roof,
18-inch alloys, leather upholstery, a fascinating centre console
unit that can heat or cool drinks sits between the front seats,
and there's a quality Boston Acoustics premium audio system.
Optional on the Limited is Chrysler's MyGig electronic
entertainment unit with a 20 Gb hard disc to let you store your
own information. MyGig is priced at $3000
Sebrings have been on sale in Australia since May 2007, but
were introduced only with four-cylinder engines. The added weight
of the cabriolet body has meant the use of a 2.7-litre V6 engine
with 137 kW and 256 Nm. Our road testing at the Brisbane based
press launch showed the vehicle to have good performance, amply
assisted by a slick five-speed automatic transmission.
Incidentally, the V6 is to be introduced on the Sebring sedan
as well. Good news for those looking for a mid-sized American
sedan with some decent grunt.
On-road behaviour of the Sebring cabriolet is better than we
had anticipated for an American convertible. While not to European
standards, it’s happy to turn into corners, is nicely balanced
and able to be adjusted by either the throttle or the steering
wheel and will please all but the most demanding of sporting car
drivers.
There's some body flex over rough roads due to the loss of
rigidity caused by removing the roof. But we have felt worse, even
among some of the big name European competitors.
Build quality could be better, particularly in the cabin, but
the Americans have a different attitude to this factor of car
design so it’s as much a cultural thing as an engineering
matter.
This striking-looking Chrysler convertible comes to Australia
at a pretty modest price and seems sure of a place in the hearts
of those looking for something other than a European or Japanese
vehicle.
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Marque Publishing Company
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