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Walkaround
Chrysler Sebring Sedan replaces Chrysler's Cirrus. The Sebring structure began with the Cirrus chassis on a 108-inch wheelbase. But the new body is longer, taller and stiffer. More important, it does a far better job of resisting tendencies to twist and bend when set in motion; this more rigid construction is the key to a smooth, refined ride quality without resorting to mushy shocks. Chrysler's new package also excels in controlling noise and vibration. The result is an uncommonly quiet passenger compartment.Chrysler's four-door version of the Sebring stretches long and wide over a slinky package that quickly shows a sedan can look crisp and sporty like a coupe. Chrysler has been a leader in design in recent years and the Sebring's exterior styling borrows design cues from the Concorde and LHS. As a result, Sebring's gracefully arched profile features a dramatic rake to the windshield. A broad but stubby nose focuses on Chrysler's signature grille design, which features an exaggerated oval air intake port inset with a shaded egg-crate grille pattern. Headlamps, shielded by polycarbonate lenses, wrap around the front corners, while available round fog lights flank the grille. Flat side panels flare in rings around wheelwells to draw attention to the large wheels, which flash in bright highlights from optional chrome alloy multi-spoke designs. Above the beltline, blackened center roof pillars diminish definitions for doors and mimic the look of a pillar-less coupe. Curvy back pillars flow down into rolled rear flanks in a smooth transition from roof to body. The tail incorporates a spoiler lip arched over large corner lamps and the thick mass of a monotone bumper. At the bottom of the bumper, an edgy flat facet interrupts otherwise fluid contours, extending around each corner and along low side rails to the front corners as a subtle linear foundation for the package.
Interior Features
Sebring's airy passenger compartment is a refined environment rigged with form-fitting seats and stylish design elements like chrome highlights or leather and glossy simulated walnut wood. The cab-forward architectural structure carves out generous space for riders by extending the windshield forward to the firewall and increasing the length and width of the cabin while abbreviating space up front for a transversely mounted engine.Two high-back bucket seats clad in soft leather trim for the deluxe LXi edition flank a center console. The rear bench seats three with 60/40 folding split seatbacks and access into the trunk. LX models come with cloth fabric upholstery on all seats. A dashboard collection of round analog instruments, tucked beneath an arched cowl and rimmed with chrome bezels, employs bold black-on-white graphics. Although the dashboard is essentially flat and linear, there's a wrap-around feel to the cockpit. Window and lock switches are mounted on the driver's door. The center console houses the transmission shift lever and a padded armrest. Above the console, a central stack of audio and climate systems contains large rotary dials in a simplified and easy-to-operate scheme. With the broad and tall expanses of window glass and relatively narrow windshield pillars, Sebring sets up excellent outward visibility for the driver, which becomes a factor for safety. The glass, thicker than usual, serves a secondary function as an insulating property to dampen external noise. It combines with the structural streamlining and additional layers of insulation added to doors, body cavities and the floor and ceiling to forge the quiet interior environment. Sebring's safety systems begin with a rigid structure that encases the passenger compartment. Passive measures include three-point seatbelts for all five seat positions and dual-stage frontal airbags. Also, the headliner has been engineered to accommodate optional curtain-style side airbags.
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