Chrysler lifts the top on Sebring

Chrysler has pulled the wraps off the latest addition -- the all-new Sebring Convertible. Built on the recently confirmed-for-Oz Sebring medium car platform, the stylish new drop-top was unveiled today in the lead-up to the Los Angeles motor show.

Featuring three electric folding top options, the Sebring will follow its four-door sedan stablemate Down Under (read more

Officially a 2008 model, the Sebring Convertible's USP is a first, says Chrysler. The US market model will offer a choice of drop-tops include vinyl, cloth and a body-color painted steel retractable hard top.

The Convertible has been one of the Chrysler Group's lead showroom traffic generators. A strong seller for the company, it was first launched in the early 1990s. It has earned the title of best-selling convertible in the United States seven of the past 11 years.

Chrysler will certainly be hoping the car plays a similar role here. The open-top will crown a significant new model offensive in 2007 which includes at least four new Jeep models (Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, Compass and Patriot) as well as new offerings from Dodge (Nitro) and the main brand (Sebring et al).

The latest version of the Sebring Convertible is built on the company's new front-wheel drive D-segment platform. Longer, taller and wider than the car it replaces (and 75mm longer than the new Sebring sedan) Chrysler claims the design and packaging is such that the Sebring will comfortably seat four adults and delivers enough boot space to hold two golf bags, even when the top is dropped.

The car maker says the new convertible is no flexy-flyer however. It claims that in concert with the new generation platform, the all-new open-top's structure yields a vehicle 2.5 times stiffer in twist and 1.5 times stiffer in bending than the previous generation convertible.

Various powertrains will be offered across Chrysler's international marketplaces. In Australia, Chrysler has confirmed the Convertible will be powered by a 2.7-litre V6 petrol engine. In Europe a four-cylinder turbodiesel will likely be the default choice

According to Public Relations Manager, Chrysler Group, Simon Johnson, Australian Sebring Convertibles will feature a single roof choice -- the folding steel hardtop. He says pricing will be "very competitive".

"We're very eager to get the car here," Johnson told CarPoint.

"The local market for convertibles has seen small convertibles at one end and the expensive Euros at the other. Our aim is to land the Sebring, which is a full-size four-seater, at under the current luxury car tax threshold [Ed: just over $57,000]. It will offer exceptional value for money," he said.

According to Johnson, the Australian market car will feature "a high level of standard and safety equipment."

Chrysler USA claims the Sebring will feature "intense focus on quality, detail, craftsmanship and execution."

The interior get softer touch points than the sedan and features a bespoke dash and unique detailing. To ease entry into the rear seats the lap-sash seatbelts are integrated into the front seats.

Chrysler's MyGIG navigation/entertainment/infotainment system, heated/cooled cupholders and the like are all standard US-spec.

Production of the new Sebring Convertible will commence in the first quarter of 2007 at the newly refurbished Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Michigan (USA). As noted above right-hand drive product will commence later in 2007.