Test drive Chrysler Sebring Sedan 2001 - 2003 sedan

Expansion into the Old World

The American sedan, according to the European classification, related to the segment in (business class), which competes with European classmates in terms of running qualities, and also offers a much richest package for an acceptable price? Honestly, if I had such a question somewhere in Crossword, until recently I could not give an accurate answer to it. Where does such a model come from? All the American cars that are sold in our republic are arbitrarily good, beautiful and prestigious, but it was somehow impossible to call them at least relatively affordable at a price until this time. Now it will work out - after the test of the new Chrysler Sebring, we know for sure the answer to this question ...
 
A model named Sebring is far from a beginner in the Kraisler gamut, especially for the American market. In the mid -nineties there was already sold a luxurious SEBRING compartment and a convertible of the same name, the development of which specialists of the Japanese company Mitsubishi took part. In the markets in which this model was sold, it had a completely stable demand: having replaced the most popular Chrysler Lebaron at one time, this model also fully and fully consistent with the ideology of a lot of car for little money. True, there was no body of this model so popular in the European, and especially in our market of a sedan body: Stratus/Cirrus took its place. And this situation completely and completely suited the manufacturer: relatively affordable sedans and more exclusive and prestigious coupe and convertible, similar technically, but standing as an order of magnitude more expensive. But when the Americans, now in the company with the Germans, decided to seriously engage in the European market and really increase the level of sales of American bestsellers in the Old World, the name Sebring was chosen for strategic reasons for European expansion.
 
Such a model, unlike the aforementioned Stratus/Cirrus, was not officially sold in our republic, so the novelty began life from scratch. Which in itself promised her good market prospects. Inspired by the latest versions of the famous models of Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, as well as the most popular PT Cruiser, Europeans began to more favorably relate to the products of overseas automotive traders, so that the moment to start sales, and the name were selected ...
 
But nevertheless, we are not Europe, even if we are in its very geographical center, and for us all these brands and promoted are completely not important. The Belarusian consumer necessarily needs something sort of, chic and unique, but at the same time at the price just above Zhigulevskaya. We generally sell relatively few Americans, and even in order to be at least somehow represented in our market, an American car should have at least a whole bouquet of advantages, of which its European competitors do not have. It is incredibly difficult to deal with the Germans, French, Italians and other representatives of the European Auto of Industry on their field, especially since in the best traditions of the American automotive industry, Chrysler Sebring has many purely overseas nuances, which the Americans are so proud, but at the same time they are carefully trying to get rid of them . For example, the quality of interior decoration. The Americans have long been proud that in their cars, many expensive and high -quality materials are used in the interior decoration: leather, wood, etc. And it really was a reasonable occasion to be proud of: against the background of European models, the beginning-inventions of the 90s, any American looked just gorgeous. But this was then, and now ... You know, now there is one bike at the Internet confronts that discuss the automotive theme: they say, the latest Cadillac CTS does not plan to supply European markets, although it is precisely taking into account the taste addictions of European drivers and this car and this car and this car and this car and this car and this car Designed. Do you know why? They say that in terms of the quality of interior decoration (not the cost of materials), this representative sedan of a prestigious brand is inferior ... products of the head department of VW! This, I repeat, is only rumors, but looking at some American models, you can believe in such a bike.
 
However, everything that was said above relative to the interior, Chrysler Sebring has nothing to do with our hero today. And because in it this very interior, if it does not claim the title of the most high -quality, then, at least, will not make the owner of the car or the seller who advertises his product. Yes, maybe the skin there is not quite Connoly, as in Rolls-Royce, but in terms of quality it is not inferior to the one that is used in European models. Although I personally do not like leather seats at all - in the summer it is hot and you are constantly moving away from such a chair. Otherwise, the Chrysler Sebring interior is very original: the tidy in the nostalzhi style, as in a larger 300m, is pulled closer to the driver, on which all the necessary buttons and switches are located. In the copy we tested, there was a large (2Din standard) Infinity stereo system, supplemented by a 4-disk CD changer located at the very bottom of the central console. The steering wheel is somewhat large in diameter, but the rim thick is selected almost perfectly, in addition, the steering wheel itself has a magnificent leather upholstery, which is included in standard equipment. The landing behind the wheel is somewhat relaxed: the front seats do not have pronounced lateral support. But for those who prefer no less high -speed traffic over long distances, seating in Sebring will surely like: the Americans have always been the most ardent fans of comfort, and this case is no exception.
 
The back is also very good: a wide doorway allows even a very large person to sit on the rear sofa without any problems. There are enough places, as they say, with a margin, and in all directions. The width of the car allows even three to fit in, especially since the back sofa does not have a characteristic stamping in the middle part of the rear seat pillow, dividing the sofa into two separate chairs, as done in European models. True, there is no central armrest - for a model, the space in the salon of which allows it to be used as a directorship, this is a serious drawback. But in everything else, the Sebring did not deserve the reproach: there was, surprisingly, a lot of legs, the ceiling did not press from above. In general, if the owner of the car drives on the back sofa, he, it seems to me, will have no reason for discontent.
 
Everything related to running qualities, this test remains, as they say, behind the scenes. Due to the possible problems with the customs authorities, the car testing had to be very limited. But they still managed to get some impressions. Chrysler Sebring belongs to that category of modern American models, the running qualities of which correspond to the concept of a dynamic car. Not high -speed, not driver, namely dynamic: the car does not start acceleration and does not call the driver to go faster and faster, but the speed in it is completely not felt. And this means that the driver driving Chrysler Sebring will go quickly: the more comfortable the car, the less discomfort he delivers the driver and passenger during movement and the higher, as a result of this, the average speed turns out to be. I didn’t like the way the working Sebring motor sounds. In European models, six-cylinder engines of such an impressive volume sound somehow more convincing, velvety. Here, the sound of the motor at acceleration reminds of anything, but not about luxurious American cars: it will be noisy, and the tonality is completely not the one that should be in a prestigious car that claims to be the role of a representative. However, Chrysler Sebring is far from lonely in this: some more expensive and eminent models have the same completely ugly -set voice. New Merce -DES E320, for example ... to maneuver on Sebring in close urban nooks - an occupation is not pleasant. A follower of Cab Forward style models, which in the free translation means a salon advanced forward, Chrysler Sebring has an incredibly beautiful profile with a smoothly descending roof line, a high stern and, as a noticeable side, really slightly shifted forward by a salon. Pay attention to how much the front racks are tilted and how far the windshield comes forward - these are the characteristic signs of the concept of Kab Forward. But as beautiful as beautiful cars are made by such a principle, they are just as uncomfortable when maneuvering on a close platform. I still recall with horror one of my first tests when I had to make my way through the narrow streets in the center of Minsk on a huge Chrysler 300m, which also belongs to this cohort of models - the only thing that was clearly visible from the driver's place is the body racks and side mirrors . Everything else, starting with such the most important parameters as at least an approximate hint of where this car begins and where this car ends, remained unknown. It only remained to rely on the fact that the feeling of the elbow, if one applies to driving a car, would not let you down.
 
However, against the backdrop of the same 300m, we tested Sebring looks just a little thing. Its dimensions are felt much better, although there is still no information about where the front overhang really ends with the driver still does not enter. With the rear overhang, the situation is not better, but if the owner makes it easier, I can say that the vast majority of modern cars, regardless of the class, size or type of body, also suffer from this problem to one degree or another. More importantly, something else: you do not have to overcome the resistance of the steering hydraulic power steering. The Americans do not give a damn about any feedback, so the steering in overseas models, as a rule, is very light. And Chrysler Sebring was no exception: when parking, the steering wheel can be twisted if not with a finger, then with one hand for sure. It is not known, however, how this will affect the sensitivity of the steering when driving at high speeds, but when maneuvering it is very convenient. In general, Chrysler Sebring seemed somewhat phlegmatic to me. Despite the fact that this model in design is largely similar to the Stratus model, which showed itself very well on our tests, the drive could not be detected. From the place, despite the fact that under the hood of the tested car there was a 2.7-liter V6, Sebring starts smoothly, without a pleasant driver in the back of the seat. Incidentally, a version with a six -cylinder engine and an automatic checkpoint from a place to a hundred accelerates in 10.5 seconds, and exactly the same car, but with a four -cylinder engine of 2.0 liters, the same exercise does in ... 11 seconds! So decide after that if it makes sense to chase the additional volume and horses.
 
I could not make any particular portrait of this car, even for myself, I couldn’t make our acquaintance too short. Nevertheless, the test can be considered successful, if only because everything that was said about this car is higher for the buyer, who is really interested in Chrysler Sebring, it may well have no importance. Why? And you will pay attention to the price indicated on various versions of Chrysler Sebring in the hen of the set. Well, how? Did you notice anything supernatural? So, you are simply never interested in prices for business class models ...
 
A business class car with a leather salon and an automatic transmission in less than twenty thousand dollars? A couple of years ago, when the German brand fell sharply quite sharply, such offers in our market really were, but this can be attributed more to the category of a happy case than in the category of real business offers. Now, any car related to the segment E according to the European classification, equipped with the above options, is much more expensive. The price of a normal car of a prestigious brand floats within 20-23 thousand dollars for basic modifications. And against this background, the new Chrysler Sebring, the deliveries of which are just starting to our market, looks very attractive: a good car, good price, good equipment. In addition, American cars are still much prestigious than any European classmate ...
 
SUBJECTIVE OPINION:
 
(+) Acceptable price, spacious interior, good equipment, large trunk.
 
(-) Not the highest quality of the interior decoration, the phlegmatic nature of the car.
 
Text: Pavel Kozlovsky
 

Source: "Avtogazeta"