Chrysler sebring sedan test drive since 2006 sedan

Transatlantic compromise

The North American branch of the Daimlerchrysler Corporation looked in the direction of Europe from the very times when Chrysler was an independent, truly state -owned manufacturer, with a model number of model row and some financial problems. Being the most modest of the members of the big three, Chrysler did not have its own departments in the Old World, which was partially compensated by the presence of the plant in Austria, which made cars that meet the requirements of the Old World of the Chrysler Voyager minivan and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV.

  

And what about cars? With the birth of Supernova Daimlerchrysler, the Americans began to invent new cars with which one could take an active part in the section of the most important cake called the European automobile market. Updating the line of their models, the Chineselers focused not only on the tastes of the Yankees, but also on the preferences of the venerable Old Sovereign public.
 
The machines that are represented in the salons of Russian dealers Chrysler are just the same Euro cars. The hero of our heading the test became the Chrysler Sebring 2.0 sedan with an engine with a capacity of 140 liters. With. And an automatic box, equipped with an almost complete list of additional equipment and therefore cost a little more than a basic option at a price of 27990 euros.
 
Structurally SEBRING is conceived very in European. The paramount task of the engineers was to achieve the confident behavior of the car in all modes, which was supposed to solve an independent front suspension on transverse levers of different lengths and a multi -link rear. Separately, it should be mentioned by Rail-Thru technology two longitudinal parallel steel guides integrated into the power structure of the body radically increase the rigidity for twisting.
 
The brakes of the machine are controlled by an advanced ABS-Plus system, which performs the functions of a whole complex of devices. In addition to the anti -lock system, it also includes system redistribution systems for braking when braking on a straight line (EVBP, which is an analogue of EBD) and in turns (analogue of the Mercedes CBC).

  

The Russian-American reality is as follows: the sebrings supplied to us are equipped with two different engines: a in-line two-liter four and a more powerful six-cylinder V6 with a volume of 2.7 liters. The latter is aggregated exclusively with the Autostick automaton with the possibility of manual switching, by the way, this is the first American gearbox of a similar design.
 
Despite the fact that Sebring is by no means a novelty in the world of cars, it looks quite modern. And original thanks to the CAB-FORWARD layout, which Chrysler has been actively using for many years, it is impossible to confuse the cars of this brand with any others. And due to the fact that the legislation of the United States allows the operation of cars without front license plates, the number fixed on the huge radiator grille looks like an alien element as in the case of Alfa Romeo, expressive design is conflicting with the letter of the law. Another attribute of American automobile life, which has been reflected in design, chrome alloy wheels.
 
The doors are hospitably open on an unusually wide corner, facilitating landing, and a photographer acting as the rear passenger, notes the obvious inconsistency of the size of the door itself and the doorway, which is much less than expected. But, being inside, the master of artistic shooting is located almost stretching his legs and is pretty silent. Still would! Such an amount of living space can not be found in any European of a similar class again makes the Cab-FORWARD itself.

  

The interior of Chrysler, designed in bright colors, creates an atmosphere of home comfort, which is very American. Device dials stylized for the old clock, comfortable chairs and beige skin, well, just a room for psychological unloading. Unlike most cars from Detroit, an automatic box selector in Sebring is in the usual place between the front seats, where the parking brake lever is located. Between the ventilation air ducts there is a display of the Traveller information system, which is capable of playing the role of a compass, and then down the central console follows a microclimate control unit and a radio with a CDsist and a separate chainer for four discs, as in most overseas machines, excessive.
 
Sebring is touching and starting its leisurely movement. In the maximum acceleration mode, a slight power deficiency is felt, which is aggravated by the unhurried operation of the machine: when the accelerator pedal is contacted, the tachometer shooter is in surprise rises to a thousand revolutions, and after half a second a kik-dowun is triggered, and the car is very smoothly gaining move. I want to quickly? Then we convert the box selector into manual mode, and then, moving it to the right, turn on the reduced gear and try to accelerate again. It is already better: the engine is removed to maximum revolutions, but then switches to the step up. Further manipulations of the lever make it clear that in manual transmission shift mode, the car is too sharply becoming twitching. However, the obvious plus of an independent selection of transmissions is that the driver has the opportunity to slow down the engine, and this method of inhibition is very effective.

  

The smoothness of the course as a whole should be evaluated as good: despite the fact that when passing large defects in the road at high speed, Sebring is trying to go out in the manner of an SUV, the car completely ignores small irregularities. In addition, the suspension leaves the impression of the indestructible even it is impossible to imagine what size a pit should be, about which Chrysler will stumble to breakdown.
 
It is especially worth saying about the sounds that accompany the movement. Sebring has advanced sound insulation: most body cavities are filled with a structural foam filler, and the thickness of the front side glasses is increased by a quarter. To everything else, the wheel arches and the rear seat are separately insulated, and the improved system of seals of the doorways protects passengers not only from extraneous noise, but also retains heat. As a result, the sound of the engine at idle is almost indistinguishable, and in motion the total noise background even at high speeds allows you to talk without raising the voice.
 
In an effort to please everyone in the world, the Americans created an unusual car modern, but at the same time traditional. Beautiful but original. For everyone and at the same time not for everyone. Created from compromises, but at the same time uncompromising real American car.
 

The car is provided by Foris.
During the test, the car is insured by LLC Nation Center.
 
Text: Kirill Brevdo
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 64/2003]