In's and Out's of the all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring Blog Post at Automotive.com

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In's and Out's of the all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring

Posted September 25 2006 08:03 PM by Joel Arellano 
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Chrysler Sebring, Sedans, Midsize


Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler is creating inspiration in the common car, introducing the 2007 Chrysler Sebring — an all-new mid-size sedan that combines stunning design with interior craftsmanship, high-levels of safety and reliability, exhilarating performance, excellent fuel efficiency of 32 miles per gallon and many class-leading technologies not available in the mid-size segment. And with a starting U.S. MSRP of $18,995 (including a $675 destination charge), the all-new Sebring also comes at a surprisingly affordable price.



2007 chrysler sebring front left
2007 chrysler sebring hood front left

“The all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring sustains the momentum started by the blockbuster hit Chrysler 300 and continued with the Dodge Caliber,” said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global Marketing. “Just as the 300 redefined the large-car segment and signaled the return of the great American car, Chrysler Sebring combines the levels of reliability and durability that mid-size buyers demand with unexpected levels of style, craftsmanship, technology and affordable performance.”

The 2007 Chrysler Sebring will be available in U.S. dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2006 and in global volume markets in the first half of 2007.

Strikingly Beautiful Design
Inspired by the 2003 Chrysler Airflite concept vehicle that was revealed at the Geneva motor show, the all-new Chrysler Sebring’s elegant lines evoke the exterior styling features of the Chrysler vehicle, bringing the Chrysler brand’s expressive design attributes to the mid-size segment.

“Sleek and sophisticated, the Chrysler Sebring’s overall surfacing and details reflect the Chrysler brand’s four design attributes: expressive, refined, agile and passionate,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President – Design. “Sebring’s elegant styling provides a clear alternative to European and Japanese competition.”

Chrysler Sebring features the distinctive face of the Chrysler brand, with the Chrysler signature grille, a uniquely sculptured hood, large, distinctive quad headlamps and available fog lamps.

Sebring has an elegant profile, with a long hood profile, chrome beltline molding and long roofline. High-gloss black appliques on the B-pillars enhance the length of the Sebring’s greenhouse. Sculptured character lines running along the body accentuate Sebring’s athletic stance.

The expressive character of the vehicle continues at the rear where Sebring’s wide tail lamps are integrated into both the rear quarters and extend into the deck lid for visual impact. Rear fog lamps mounted in the backup lamps maintain a uniform appearance between domestic and export vehicles.

World-class Craftsmanship
The elegance found in 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.

“Chrysler Sebring’s interior takes a different direction from many of the current mid-size sedans on the road. Its form is inspired by the Chrysler uplifted winged badge motif and incorporates new and fresh decorative elements,” Creed added.

Sebring’s finely crafted interior features soft surfaces, mechanical grains and selective gloss levels on the interior surfaces.

From the driver’s seat, Sebring’s H-point is 2.54 inches (64.6 mm) higher than the vehicle it replaces, giving drivers a command-of-the-road seating position. Standard 60/40 fold-flat rear seats make room for more gear, and an available fold-flat passenger seat creates a table-like surface that enhances the versatility of Sebring’s interior.

All Chrysler Sebring models feature a two-tone interior color theme of dark and lighter shades of Pastel Slate Gray or Pastel Pebble Beige, which provides a spacious and well-appointed look. The Chrysler Sebring Limited model also features an exclusive two-tone Cream and Pebble Beige interior with leather seats. The Chrysler Sebring Limited’s available upscale accent materials and finishes include Tortoise Shell, Satin Silver, Alloy Silver and Chrome.

2007 chrysler sebring interior front passenger

Purposeful Technology That Makes Life Easier and Safer
In addition to Chrysler Sebring’s upscale design and elegant use of materials, this all-new sedan brings new levels of function and technology to the U.S. mid-size car segment.

“Chrysler Sebring features a slew of new technological features not typically found or expected in a mid-size car,” said David Rooney, Director – Chrysler Marketing and Global Communications. “These features make life easier and safer for the driver and passengers, while making the overall driving experience much more enjoyable for all.”

The 2007 Chrysler Sebring features MyGIG™, a cutting-edge information, entertainment and safety navigation audio system that raises the bar on in-vehicle communications (late availability). This best-in-class, next-generation navigation radio features a 6.5-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Display with a touch-screen panel that can support 65,000 colors, providing a three-dimensional appearance to graphics and animation, as well as multiple font sizes and styles. The MyGIG system follows voice-activated commands and includes many new features for music, sound, movies and personalized picture displays, including:

  • A 20 gigabyte hard disc drive that includes Music Juke Box for organizing music and pictures on the hard drive
  • Universal Serial Bus (USB) provides both MP3 connectivity and downloading of WMA, MP3 and JPEG files onto the hard drive 
  • Gracenote database installed on the hard disk drive, which provides song identification, including composer, artist and title
  • Playlist creation capability to provide easy access to files
  • Voice memo recording, which allows a message up to 3 minutes long to be recorded using the microphone integrated into the rearview mirror
  • Radio screen, which can display movies (when vehicle is not in motion)
    SIRIUS® Satellite Radio, which provides customers with more than 125 channels of the best music, entertainment and information coast-to-coast, 24 hours a day. This includes 100 percent commercial-free music, as well as sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather
  • UConnect® Hands-free Communication System that uses Bluetooth® technology to provide voice-activated wireless communication between the occupants’ compatible cell phones and the vehicle’s onboard receiver. The hands-free option promotes safety, freedom, value and flexibility.

In addition to MyGIG, the 2007 Chrysler Sebring also offers a unique combination of features not available on other mid-size competitors, including:

  • Heated/cooled front cupholder for keeping cool beverages cool and hot beverages hot. System heats to 140 degrees Fahrenheit or cools to 35 degrees Fahrenheit (late availability)
  • YES Essentials® stain-resistant, odor resistant, anti-static seat fabric
  • Available DVD rear-seat entertainment system that includes AM/FM stereo radio with MP3 capable CD/DVD player, six-disc CD/DVD changer and
  • SIRIUS Satellite Digital Audio Radio (late availability)
  • Light-Emitting Diode (LED) interior lighting with high-focus white lights in both the front and rear seats (late availability)

Class-leading Safety Features
Safety and security are a top priority among mid-size car buyers in the United States, and the all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring offers a unique combination of class-leading safety features that are designed to keep occupants both safe and secure. Sebring’s safety cage is constructed with dual-phase, high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel components designed to protect occupants in all driving situations. Sebring’s extremely strong safety cage is complemented with a combination of standard safety items demanded by buyers in the mid-size segment, including:

  • Advanced multi-stage front air bags
  • Side-curtain air bags
  • Front-seat-mounted side air bags
  • Anti-lock brakes

Electronic Stability Program also is available on the 2007 Chrysler Sebring.

2007 chrysler sebring rear right

Exhilarating Performance With Excellent Fuel Efficiency
Three engine options power the 2007 Chrysler Sebring sold in the United States: the new standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder World Engine, an available 2.7-liter V-6 engine and an available 3.5-liter V-6 engine coupled with a new six-speed automatic transaxle with Auto Stick.

Fuel economy is a high-priority for many of today’s car buyers, and the 2007 Chrysler Sebring, with its standard four-cylinder engine rivals the best in the mid-size car segment. Sebring's 2.4-liter World Engine with dual variable valve timing delivers best-in-class fuel efficiency in the city of 24 miles per gallon (mpg), an excellent 32 mpg on the highway, as well as smooth, quiet operation. Mated to a four-speed automatic transaxle, this new engine provides a 15 percent increase in horsepower (173 horsepower vs. 150 horsepower) and an 8 percent improvement in fuel economy compared with the 2.4-liter engine it replaces.

An available, Flexible Fuel (FFV) 2.7-liter V-6 engine provides value- and performance-conscious consumers the power of a V-6 engine with a price that compares with the competitions’ four-cylinder engines. Chrysler Sebring's available 2.7-liter V-6 engine produces 189 horsepower and 191 lb.-ft. of torque, providing more low-end torque (at an rpm 850 lower) compared with the 2.7-liter engine it replaces. This 2.7-liter V-6 engine achieves 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. It also can operate effectively on any blend of gasoline and fuel-grade ethanol up to E-85.

Chrysler Sebring Limited sedans sold in the United States also are available with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 235 horsepower and 232 lb.-ft. of torque coupled with a new six-speed automatic transaxle that comes standard with Auto Stick. The combination of the upgraded 3.5L V6 engine and six-speed automatic transaxle delivers excellent performance and fuel efficiency, as well as smooth quiet operation.

The 2007 Chrysler Sebring is one of the first Chrysler Group vehicles to offer this new six-speed automatic transaxle, which provides quicker standing-start acceleration than a four- or five-speed transaxle because of its numerically higher first gear ratio. A more robust differential with increased torque capacity enhances launch performance by requiring less torque management, electronically limiting the torque that is available during the initial stages of standing-start acceleration. Smaller steps between ratios also make for a smoother, quieter ride, as the engine speed doesn’t change as often with each shift. In addition, more ratio choices, more appropriate ratios for quicker acceleration and a lower overall top gear ratio provide a quiet ride and improved fuel economy at highway speeds.

For the first time in the mid-size car segment, the Chrysler Group also will offer a state-of-the-art 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine on the Chrysler Sebring for key diesel markets outside North America. The diesel engine will deliver excellent performance and fuel economy, with an estimated 140 horsepower DIN (103 kW) and 229 lb.-ft. (310 Nom) of torque.

“The all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring’s performance, fuel economy and overall driving experience is extremely competitive with the best in its class,” said Larry Lyons, Vice President – Front-wheel-drive Product Team.

Elevating Expectations
In the United States, Chrysler Sebring is designed to appeal to 35-55-year-old buyers who are married and have a median income of approximately $65,000. Fifty-five percent are female, and 60 percent are college educated. Many have small families with one or two children. These mid-size car buyers are down-to-earth and conservative, yet open-minded, self-confident and have a passion for life. Middle and upper-middle class, they lead active lives, and they have a true sense of style. Their self image is grounded in their accomplishments and future prospects. Chrysler Sebring’s elegant and sophisticated design, packaged with interior craftsmanship and essential levels of reliability, meets the needs of these customers who want more than just practicality.

Chrysler Sebring Model Lineup
The 2007 Chrysler Sebring is available in the United States in three models: Chrysler Sebring, Chrysler Sebring Touring and Chrysler Sebring Limited.

2007 chrysler sebring right

2007 Chrysler Sebring Production
Production of the 2007 Chrysler Sebring begins in the third quarter of 2006 at the newly refurbished Sterling Heights (Mich.) Assembly Plant. Sebring’s new 173 horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder World Engine is built in the state-of-the art Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) plant in Dundee, Mich. The 2.7-liter V-6 engine and the 3.5-liter V-6 engine are built at the Kenosha (Wis.) Engine Plant.

Chrysler Brand
Driven by award-winning new models, the Chrysler brand has seen a dramatic increase in sales, market share and brand image, culminating in 2005 calendar year sales of 649,293 units – an all-time sales record. Since 1990, Chrysler brand sales have jumped 251 percent.

No other American automotive brand has grown as much during the same time frame.

“The Chrysler brand's succession of innovative product introductions continues to solidify the brand's standing as the leader in great design, purposeful technology and value,” said David Rooney, Director – Chrysler Marketing and Global Communications. “With the launch of the all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring and the 2007 Chrysler Aspen — the first-ever full-size SUV for the brand — the momentum is sure to continue,” he added.

Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA)
The World Engine is a family of world-class four-cylinder engines produced by GEMA in Dundee, Mich., delivering an exceptional combination of quality, fuel efficiency, refinement and performance. GEMA is owned equally by DaimlerChrysler Corp., Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. By optimizing the three joint venture partners’ strengths, global economies of scale and the latest practices in flexible teams and machines, GEMA aims to set a new benchmark in engine plant productivity.

Via Chrysler

2007 chrysler sebring right with wall


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