Sebring set for Down Under debut?

Sebring. Remember the name – it could be on your shopping list this time next year if you’re looking for upper-mid-sized four-door family car.

The new Chrysler was unveiled to US audiences last week. Designed and built in the USA, it has been confirmed for right-hand drive production and will have its very first motor show appearance in RHD form at the London Motor Show next month.

Powered by a choice of 2.4-litre four or 2.7 or 3.5-litre V6s, the Sebring is very close in dimensions and overall execution to the US-market Camry (to read more click here).

As regular car watchers will know, the Toyota is the best selling car in the USA and shares the lion’s share of its DNA with the soon-to-be-released new Aussie Camry.

The Sebring matches the Toyota in crucial dimensions. Wheelbases are 2765mm for the Chrysler compared to 2776mm for the US Camry. By way of further comparison, our local accord V6 comes in at 2740mm. Overall length is close too (Sebring -- 4842mm; Camry – 4805; Accord – 4830) and width... Well less than 15mm separates the three with the Chrysler the narrowest at 1808mm.

Inspired by the 2003 Chrysler Airflite concept vehicle (revealed at the Geneva salon and also pictured), the all-new Sebring features the new face of the Chrysler brand, with the signature egg-crate grille, a sculptured Crossfire-style fluted bonnet and large, distinctive quad headlamps.

There’s strong styling accents on the side of the car which should continue Chrysler’s habit of polarizing opinion with its cars’ looks. Though the profile is hatch-like, the car is a true sedan. 

Inside, the Sebring has seating for five with the rear a 60:40 split-fold that gives access to the boot. A full compliment of safety and driver aids is included in the car’s overall spec.

Chrysler states the driver’s ‘hip point’ (an indication of seat height) is around 60mm higher than the model it replaces. This may be an indication the maker is trying to win back some ground for saloons from the still-strong SUV and quasi-SUV market. A key factor in SUV purchasing decisions is the so-called ‘command’ driving position high-riders offer.

Inside, the US-market Sebring takes music buffs to another level with an inbuilt 20Gb hard-drive music storage system with USB connectivity. And for coffee buffs – there’s heated (and cooled) cupholders!

The Sebring ushers in revised four and six-cylinder powerplants which the maker says deliver more power and better economy. The 3.5-litre V6 Sebring features a new six-speed automatic transmission, though the four soldiers on with a four-speeder at this time.

Local DaimlerChrysler sources won’t go into specifics, however, Simon Johnson, Chrysler Jeep Public Relations Manager, told CarPoint the model is “under investigation for Australia.”

“We’re looking at the Sebring,” he said. “If it were to come it would be next year [2007].”

Johnson said the UK motor show launch of the Sebring was chosen to show the importance of both Europe and right-hand drive markets to the US marque.

To be built at Chrysler’s facility at Sterling Heights in Michigan, the Sebring could be the first Aussie market Chrysler to be sourced directly from the USA. Most Australian Chryslers and Jeeps are sourced from Austria although the PT Cruiser is built in Mexico.