2001 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Dramatic drop-top styling and a spacious cockpit too. By Bob Plunkett, New Car Test Drive .com

For 2001, Chrysler rolls out a fresh design for the sleek Sebring Convertible. The new Sebring Convertible brings increased horsepower, while expanding the best attributes of the previous edition. For the past five years, the Sebring has scored as America's best-selling convertible, lauded for its sleek design, roomy back seat and attractive pricing.

This new Sebring Convertible was designed to maintain that leadership position, with generous room for backseat riders and best-in-class interior space. Its water-tight drop-top disappears behind the rear seat with the touch of a button.

Handsome new exterior styling looks dramatic with smooth lines similar to the new Sebring coupe and sedan. (Chrysler's Sebring Convertible, Sedan and Coupe have all been completely redesigned this year; they share the same sporty body style, but differ in engineering details.) Behind the slick shell is a stiff new structure, new suspension components that produce sporty ride traits, and a new engine charged to 200 horsepower.

Best of all, this new Sebring, like its popular predecessor, carries an attractive price, starting at just $24,370.

The new Chrysler Sebring Convertible is available in three trim levels: LX, LXi and Limited. All come with the same double overhead-cam 2.7-liter V6 engine and four-speed automatic transmission.

Sebring Convertible LX ($24,370) comes with a high level of standard equipment, including a vinyl convertible top, premium cloth-covered seats, a floor console with cupholders and armrest, air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, and 15-inch steel wheels.

To that, the Sebring LXi ($26,830) adds a cloth-coated top, leather seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel, a CD player with six Infinity speakers, plus 16-inch cast-aluminum wheels.

Sebring Limited ($28,915) increases the luxury gear with premium leather on the seats, instruments with bright white faces and electroluminescent lighting, an in-dash CD changer for four discs, and a driver-interactive AutoStick shifter for the four-speed automatic transaxle.

Active safety equipment includes bigger four-wheel disc brakes. Optional is a sophisticated anti-lock braking system Chrysler calls ABS Plus ($565) designed to better balance braking forces at each wheel; this helps improve stability when braking and turning at the same time by counteracting yawing or swerving. ABS Plus comes with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), which distributes braking forces front to rear for better stopping performance.