Spy Shots: 2007 Chrysler Sebring
Europeans get first look at 2007 Chrysler Sebring
By Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor | Published May 25, 2006
0 Ratings
We've already showed you the 2008 Dodge Avenger. Now take a look at its cousin, the 2007 Chrysler Sebring. These spy shots of it, roaming the streets of Europe with minimal disguise, give a pretty good view of the new midsize sedan before its official unveiling in the next couple of months.
With the same overall shape as the Avenger, the Sebring will have to rely on its unique Chrysler details to set it apart. Up front it gets an egg-crate grille in place of the Avenger's crosshair design. Upturned headlights are a common theme between the two cars, but this Sebring prototype also reveals the leading edges of hood scallops that will run all the way back to the cowl. This design element was first introduced on the Crossfire and it will extend to not only the 2007 Sebring but the 2007 Chrysler Pacifica as well.
Chrome door handles and wheels similar in design to those used on the Crossfire also mark this prototype as a Chrysler. A unique C-pillar shape is this Sebring's most definitive change compared to the current model, giving the car's rear end a new slope-backed look. Pretty or not, it gives the sedan a distinctive design in a segment known for unremarkable styling.
Built on a platform shared with Mitsubishi, the Sebring will be front-wheel drive and ride on a fully independent suspension. We expect to see a typical lineup of engines starting with the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder used in the Dodge Caliber. There's a chance Chrysler may decide to forego the four-cylinder option to elevate the Sebring's status above the Avenger, but the carmaker would be giving up a large chunk of the market by doing so. A 2.7-liter V6 will be the midgrade engine and, according to speculation by allpar.com, it will be a flex-fuel engine capable of running on E85 ethanol.
Top-of-the-line models were expected to get Chrysler's current 3.5-liter V6; although, with competitors like the 268-horsepower Camry and 280-hp Volkswagen Passat, expect to see its current 250-hp rating bumped up a notch or two. Additional help will come in the form of a new six-speed automatic while lower trim levels will get a standard four-speed.
Expect to see an official unveil of the Sebring sedan and convertible by early summer with sales starting later this year.
With the same overall shape as the Avenger, the Sebring will have to rely on its unique Chrysler details to set it apart. Up front it gets an egg-crate grille in place of the Avenger's crosshair design. Upturned headlights are a common theme between the two cars, but this Sebring prototype also reveals the leading edges of hood scallops that will run all the way back to the cowl. This design element was first introduced on the Crossfire and it will extend to not only the 2007 Sebring but the 2007 Chrysler Pacifica as well.
Chrome door handles and wheels similar in design to those used on the Crossfire also mark this prototype as a Chrysler. A unique C-pillar shape is this Sebring's most definitive change compared to the current model, giving the car's rear end a new slope-backed look. Pretty or not, it gives the sedan a distinctive design in a segment known for unremarkable styling.
Built on a platform shared with Mitsubishi, the Sebring will be front-wheel drive and ride on a fully independent suspension. We expect to see a typical lineup of engines starting with the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder used in the Dodge Caliber. There's a chance Chrysler may decide to forego the four-cylinder option to elevate the Sebring's status above the Avenger, but the carmaker would be giving up a large chunk of the market by doing so. A 2.7-liter V6 will be the midgrade engine and, according to speculation by allpar.com, it will be a flex-fuel engine capable of running on E85 ethanol.
Top-of-the-line models were expected to get Chrysler's current 3.5-liter V6; although, with competitors like the 268-horsepower Camry and 280-hp Volkswagen Passat, expect to see its current 250-hp rating bumped up a notch or two. Additional help will come in the form of a new six-speed automatic while lower trim levels will get a standard four-speed.
Expect to see an official unveil of the Sebring sedan and convertible by early summer with sales starting later this year.