The interior of the sedan is also redesigned with a dashboard that uses the typical eyebrow design for the instrument pod taking some styling cues from the more expensive LHS and 300M. There are some wood inserts in the more expensive version. Nonetheless, as Chrysler has been doing so well in the past few years, everything is well laid out and all buttons and knobs are easy to reach and manipulate. And the dials are new, well lit and easily readable.The steering wheel was redone and its spokes are placed lower. The seats have been reworked for more comfort and it shows. They are firmer but better designed. Naturally, rear space is bigger than anything else in its category as the rear rear can be split 60/40 for better trunk space, the latter having a large opening but a high sill. Safety wise, Chrysler includes the standard airbags for the front passengers while supplemental side bags will be available as an option.
New engines Naturally, all Sebrings are front ?wheel driven. The base engine remains the venerable 2.4 liter four-cylinder Chrysler engine. But it was reworked for 2001. The optional engine now is a Chrysler built 2.7 liter V-6 that pumps ou 200 hp with 192 pounds of torque (as opposed to the 150 hp and 168 pounds of the 2.4). The only tranny available is the four-speed automatic but, as an option, the AutoStick (semi-automatic) feature is available. Brakes were highly reworked on the sedans including larger calipers and thicker pads.
On the roadThere would be a lot more to say about the new Chrysler Sebrings but nothing beats a real road test. I first tried out the V-6 version and the first thing that surprised me was the quietness the car acquired. Wind noise were totally absent. Though there was much improvement made in that area, there is still a little too much tire noise that seeps through the cabin, all depending the surface of the pavement. The 2.7 liter V-6 is very adequate and provides the car with good accelerations and passing power. Reaching the 100 km/h mark can be done in the 9 second bracket. I really enjoyed the more precise steering and the solid feel transmitted by the body (that is now 13% stiffer in twist and 33% in flex). Braking power can be felt in the pedal. It is reassuring (ABS is optional). Then, I tried out the 2.4 liter four-cylinder version. Though a little noisier than the V-6, it still felt at ease on the mountain roads surrounding the Seattle, Washington area where we were invited by DaimlerChrysler Canada to test drive these new cars. As many people will opt for that four-cylinder, DaimlerChrysler did a nice job in improving it. Altogether, the new Sebring sedan felt very much like an European car. Could it be that Daimler has sent some help within this chapter to Chrysler? Base price of a four-door Sebring LX will be $ 23 240 in Canada.
New engines Naturally, all Sebrings are front ?wheel driven. The base engine remains the venerable 2.4 liter four-cylinder Chrysler engine. But it was reworked for 2001. The optional engine now is a Chrysler built 2.7 liter V-6 that pumps ou 200 hp with 192 pounds of torque (as opposed to the 150 hp and 168 pounds of the 2.4). The only tranny available is the four-speed automatic but, as an option, the AutoStick (semi-automatic) feature is available. Brakes were highly reworked on the sedans including larger calipers and thicker pads.
On the roadThere would be a lot more to say about the new Chrysler Sebrings but nothing beats a real road test. I first tried out the V-6 version and the first thing that surprised me was the quietness the car acquired. Wind noise were totally absent. Though there was much improvement made in that area, there is still a little too much tire noise that seeps through the cabin, all depending the surface of the pavement. The 2.7 liter V-6 is very adequate and provides the car with good accelerations and passing power. Reaching the 100 km/h mark can be done in the 9 second bracket. I really enjoyed the more precise steering and the solid feel transmitted by the body (that is now 13% stiffer in twist and 33% in flex). Braking power can be felt in the pedal. It is reassuring (ABS is optional). Then, I tried out the 2.4 liter four-cylinder version. Though a little noisier than the V-6, it still felt at ease on the mountain roads surrounding the Seattle, Washington area where we were invited by DaimlerChrysler Canada to test drive these new cars. As many people will opt for that four-cylinder, DaimlerChrysler did a nice job in improving it. Altogether, the new Sebring sedan felt very much like an European car. Could it be that Daimler has sent some help within this chapter to Chrysler? Base price of a four-door Sebring LX will be $ 23 240 in Canada.