Sebring Cabrio to offer choice of tops?

In an industry first, Chrysler Australia is planning to deliver local buyers a choice of cloth and folding hardtops in its all-new four-place Sebring Cabrio.

The lynch pin in the company's plan to target open air favourites like the Saab 9-3, the choice of tops should allow the US maker to bring to market a sub-$50K Touring version of the car when it arrives in Australia in time for summer.

The top-of-the-range Sebring Cabrio Limited will be closer to the $60K when it goes on sale and features a Karmann-supplied three-piece steel-roofed folding hardtop.

Both versions' will get power operation, however. Hood cycle time is around 30sec and can be actuated via a dash-mounted switch or the remote keyfob once the car is unlocked.

According to company spokesperson, David McCarthy, the Australian arm is working hard to finalise pricing and specification for the Cabrio.

"We're very very keen to see a two-tiered model line-up. There's still some work to be done on nailing down our pricing and build lists, but we're quietly confident we'll be able to offer both versions," he said at yesterday's launch of the car on the US West Coast.

Already released in Australia as a conventional sedan in both Limited and Touring levels (more here), the Sebring ironically faces one particular hurdle as the Cabrio…the already high level of specification for the four-door models.

While in most markets the Cabrio Touring features cloth trim, Chrysler's Australian product planners say both Touring and Limited versions must get leather (as they do in the sedan) if the model is to target the likes of the perennial Saab 9-3, Volvo's C70 and Volkswagen smaller EOS successfully.

"Final pricing and specification should be locked away by the end of August," McCarthy said. The Limited is likely to also get Chrysler's premium MyGig hard-drive based entertainment and navigation system as standard spec.

What is confirmed is the vehicles' powertrain -- a 2.7-litre 131kW petrol V6 coupled to a new six-speed automatic gearbox. Though offered in turbodiesel in Europe, it's unlikely the VW-based powerplant will find its way Down Under in the Cabrio.

The Sebring Cabrio's 2.7 petrol/six-speed auto engine/gearbox combination for Australia is unique among international markets. US buyers must step up to a 3.5-litre V6 to get the new auto box. It's not known when or if the V6 and six-speeder will make it into the local model sedan, however.

Initial impressions: while no powerhouse, the combination is quite refined. At around 150kg heavier than the sedan, the Cabrio's performance is adequate rather than spirited.

Look out for the Carsales Network's launch review of the new Chrysler Sebring Cabrio and other news closer to the local launch.

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