 | 2001 Chrysler Sebring Sedan A beautiful new mid-size sedan complements Chrysler's new coupe.
By Bob Plunkett,
New Car Test Drive .com |
Overview
Chrysler has introduced an all-new mid-size sedan for 2001 called the Sebring. Though it shares its name and styling cues with the sleek Sebring coupe (totally redesigned for 2001), there are key differences: The sedan offers the convenience of four doors to access a spacious cabin and comfortable seats aboard for a family of five. And the Sebring Sedan and Sebring Coupe are built on two different chassis, so they each have their own character in terms of ride quality and handling. Sebring Sedan drives as sporty as a coupe, thanks to its stiff new structure and exacting handling components. Its pavement manners make it easy to control, matching those good traits of the Japanese mid-size Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Suspension tuning, while precise, favors smooth riding comfort. Model Lineup
Four-door sedans are available in two trim levels with a choice of powertrains. The base LX sedan ($17,945) packs a twin-cam 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower through a four-speed automatic transaxle. Chrysler's 2.7-liter V6, which produces 200 horsepower, may be added to the base Sebring LX for $800. Base Sebring LX trim comes standard with air conditioning and power controls for windows, mirrors and door locks. The luxurious Sebring LXi ($20,830) comes standard with the V6, leather seat upholstery, eight-way power control of the driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a premium sound system with CD player. Several safety systems are optional gear for both models, such as ABS ($565) and side-curtain airbags ($350). There's also a premium package available with the AutoStick transmission, electroluminescent instruments and 16-inch chrome alloy wheels ($1,295).
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