With the new 2007 Dodge Sebring, Chrysler Group is trying to bridge the success of the 300 and Caliber with a mid-size offering styled as aggressively as those entries. The new Sebring is to be unveiled today to the press and to the public through Chrysler's first global Webcast, before it goes on sale at the end of the year.

The Sebring derives some of its look from the 2003 Airflite concept, the company says. Surfacing on the four-door sedan shows the influence of the Crossfire coupe too, particularly on the ribbed hood and deeply lined sideview. It's a "clear alternative to the European and Japanese competition," chief stylist Trevor Creed said in a release.

Three engines will be available. A version of the 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 172 hp is shared with the Caliber lineup and is mated to a four-speed automatic. A 2.7-liter V-6 shores up the middle of the line with 190 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The top engine is a 3.5-liter V-6 with 235 hp, 232 lb-ft of torque; it's coupled only to a six-speed automatic. Markets outside North America will get a 140-hp, 2.0-liter turbodiesel four.

The driver sits 2.54 inches taller in the new Sebring, giving it a "command" driving position, Chrysler says. The rear seats fold flat in a 60/40 split, while the front passenger seat folds flat and provides a hard seatback surface for more gear storage or to use for items like a laptop.

Safety gear on the Sebring includes dual front, side, and curtain airbags; daytime running lights; anti-lock brakes; and tire pressure monitors. Stability control is an option.

A new Harmon/Kardon audio and information system is optional. It comes with a touch-screen interface and a 6.5-inch screen that controls a 20-gigabyte hard drive for music and video storage. A USB connection allows music to be transferred to the car, and voice memo recording is available. The system also sports Sirius satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity. A rear-seat DVD entertainment system is also available.




Other available interior features include heated and cooled front cupholders, an audio input jack for MP3 players, YES Essentials odor-resistant fabric, and remote start.

Chrysler says the Sebring will be available in showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2006 in three trim levels: Sebring, Touring, and Limited. International markets get the sedan in the first half of next year.

 

 

Me likes the cupholders *drooling*

 

Looks nice and well planned out, I do think Dodge would do good for itself to bring out a intro V8 engine in the tune of around 300hp or so though.

 

yah this generation Sebring/Dodge variant are only going to be out for a few short years. The next gen versions will be most likely RWD/AWD have a choice of higher output V6's possibly a diesel version and an SRT powered smaller V8

 

Looks like a nice family mover. But if I was in the market for that, I'd be looking at the new Camry

 

Not bad. It seems it will appeal for whom it was intended. But, American cars have really improved their interiors in my opinion. The exterior designs were never that bad, it was the huge buttons, cheap plastic look, bubble steering wheels etc. that turned me off. Take for example the C5 vette. Beautiful exterior and Cavilier interior. The C6 has bumped it up 10 notches. My hats off to recent American car designs. Much improved...[sm=smiley20.gif]

 

I have driven the old sebring convertable many times while on holiday in the states, it had terrible handling and wasnt a bit quick even with a v6 twin cam 24v engine.
I hope this one is better.

 

I think they used BMW headlights and Toyota tail lights didn't they?.. other than that it looks pretty good. I think I would like a more slanted rear window and/or a more boxy rear end, but whatever, that cupholder looks amazing.

 

what's with the hood?