2011-2014 Chrysler 200: neatly upgraded cars
The Chrysler Sebring (née Cirrus) was a well-regarded car for many years, but the final generation was disastrous for the company. Engineers, stylists, and leaders got together to rescue the mid-size car, and the result was different enough to justify a new name: Chrysler 200. It was unveiled on October 12, 2010, and ran through 2014.
Like its companion, the Dodge Avenger, the Chrysler 200 had a choice of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine; the cheapest trim had a four-speed, but all the others came with a six-speed automatic.
The 2.4 engine produced 174 horsepower; the Pentastar V-6 engine was rated at 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque.
To create the Chrysler 200 out of the ashes of the Chrysler Sebring, the company stiffened the body mounts, changed the suspension geometry, raised the roll center, changed the rear sway bar and tires, upgraded noise reduction (including acoustic glass for the windshield and front windows), and softened the ride rate.
Inside, buyers found a new instrument panel, bezels and gauge face, upgraded seats with more cushioning and revised spring geometry, new leather and cloth covers, "soft touch" trim, and more functional heating and cooling outlets.
What else changed from the Sebring? According to Olivier Francois, "It had to be good, and it had to be now... the brief was simple: do everything [within 12 months]." He told engineers to look at:
Exterior and sheet metal upgrades from the Sebring included the front and rear fascias and fenders, grille and badge, hood, rear decklid and exterior mirrors, projector headlamps and fog lamps, LED taillamps, and LED center high-mounted brake light.
What did you get?
Even the base model, with the four-speed automatic, came with 17 inch wheels, four speaker stereo, air conditioning, antilock brakes, cruise control, and front and rear stabilizer bars; the cost was $19,995, most buyers spent the extra $2,000 for the Touring.
Canadians had an LX option just above the base, with a nicer interior, power windows and locks, heated mirrors, height-adjustable driver seat with lumbar adjustment, body colour door handles and mirrors, LED headlamps and taillamps, LED-lit gauges and interior, front, side-curtain, and front-seat side air bags, stability control, active front head restraints, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, steering wheel audio controls, remote entry and alarm, and air conditioning.
The Chrysler 200 Touring added a six speed automatic and optional V6; aluminum wheels; six speaker stereo; eight-way power driver seat; trip computer; automatic climate control and headlights; LED tail lamps; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter; satellite radio; individual tire pressure display; garage door opener; tilt/telescope steering wheel; alarm; LED ambient lighting; side airbags (curtain and thorax); and stability control. Options included navigation, voice control, a power sunroof, and a hard-drive stereo.
The top car was the Chrysler 200 Limited, with 18 inch aluminum wheels, hard-drive stereo, heated leather seats, UConnect and iPod connector, dual exhaust with bright tips, fog lamps, bright mirrors/handles, express up/down key fob, and remote start.
The Chrysler 200S had styling touches including a different grille, black-background badge and headlamps, black front and rear fascia inserts, and 18-inch wheels with dark painted pockets. Inside, the 200S had a perforated leather steering wheel cover; heated leather front seats with suede inserts; suede door trim bolsters; and a standard Boston Acoustic sound system with a 276-watt CD/hard drive voice-controlled stereo.
The 2011 Chrysler S models had a standard V-6 and six speed automatic. The sedan started at $26,790, while the 2011 200 S Convertible startedd at $32,490.
2013 changes: Limited had a standard V6 and Boston Acoustics speakers; the touchscreen stereo, Bluetooth system, and 18" wheels are optional. The S was now optional on Touring and Limited. New colors were Cashmere, Billet Metallic Silver, and True Blue, which arrived at the cost of Blackberry Pearl and Bright Silver Metallic.
Chrysler 200 vs Chrysler Sebring specifications (thanks to oh2o)
Engine and transmission details:
Interior space in the Chrysler 200 declined somewhat as seat quality improved over the Sebring - thicker seats mean less room.
The Chrysler Sebring (née Cirrus) was a well-regarded car for many years, but the final generation was disastrous for the company. Engineers, stylists, and leaders got together to rescue the mid-size car, and the result was different enough to justify a new name: Chrysler 200. It was unveiled on October 12, 2010, and ran through 2014.
Like its companion, the Dodge Avenger, the Chrysler 200 had a choice of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine; the cheapest trim had a four-speed, but all the others came with a six-speed automatic.
The 2.4 engine produced 174 horsepower; the Pentastar V-6 engine was rated at 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque.
To create the Chrysler 200 out of the ashes of the Chrysler Sebring, the company stiffened the body mounts, changed the suspension geometry, raised the roll center, changed the rear sway bar and tires, upgraded noise reduction (including acoustic glass for the windshield and front windows), and softened the ride rate.
Inside, buyers found a new instrument panel, bezels and gauge face, upgraded seats with more cushioning and revised spring geometry, new leather and cloth covers, "soft touch" trim, and more functional heating and cooling outlets.
What else changed from the Sebring? According to Olivier Francois, "It had to be good, and it had to be now... the brief was simple: do everything [within 12 months]." He told engineers to look at:
Exterior and sheet metal upgrades from the Sebring included the front and rear fascias and fenders, grille and badge, hood, rear decklid and exterior mirrors, projector headlamps and fog lamps, LED taillamps, and LED center high-mounted brake light.
What did you get?
Even the base model, with the four-speed automatic, came with 17 inch wheels, four speaker stereo, air conditioning, antilock brakes, cruise control, and front and rear stabilizer bars; the cost was $19,995, most buyers spent the extra $2,000 for the Touring.
Canadians had an LX option just above the base, with a nicer interior, power windows and locks, heated mirrors, height-adjustable driver seat with lumbar adjustment, body colour door handles and mirrors, LED headlamps and taillamps, LED-lit gauges and interior, front, side-curtain, and front-seat side air bags, stability control, active front head restraints, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, steering wheel audio controls, remote entry and alarm, and air conditioning.
The Chrysler 200 Touring added a six speed automatic and optional V6; aluminum wheels; six speaker stereo; eight-way power driver seat; trip computer; automatic climate control and headlights; LED tail lamps; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter; satellite radio; individual tire pressure display; garage door opener; tilt/telescope steering wheel; alarm; LED ambient lighting; side airbags (curtain and thorax); and stability control. Options included navigation, voice control, a power sunroof, and a hard-drive stereo.
The top car was the Chrysler 200 Limited, with 18 inch aluminum wheels, hard-drive stereo, heated leather seats, UConnect and iPod connector, dual exhaust with bright tips, fog lamps, bright mirrors/handles, express up/down key fob, and remote start.
The Chrysler 200S had styling touches including a different grille, black-background badge and headlamps, black front and rear fascia inserts, and 18-inch wheels with dark painted pockets. Inside, the 200S had a perforated leather steering wheel cover; heated leather front seats with suede inserts; suede door trim bolsters; and a standard Boston Acoustic sound system with a 276-watt CD/hard drive voice-controlled stereo.
The 2011 Chrysler S models had a standard V-6 and six speed automatic. The sedan started at $26,790, while the 2011 200 S Convertible startedd at $32,490.
2013 changes: Limited had a standard V6 and Boston Acoustics speakers; the touchscreen stereo, Bluetooth system, and 18" wheels are optional. The S was now optional on Touring and Limited. New colors were Cashmere, Billet Metallic Silver, and True Blue, which arrived at the cost of Blackberry Pearl and Bright Silver Metallic.
Chrysler 200 vs Chrysler Sebring specifications (thanks to oh2o)
Engines | 2.4 Four | 3.5 V6 | 3.6 V6 |
---|---|---|---|
HP | 173 @ 6,000 | 235 @6,400 | 283 @ 6,400 |
Torque | 166 @ 4,400 | 232 @4,000 | 260 @ 4,400 |
Oil | 5W20 | 5W30 | 5W30 |
Fuel | 87 | 89 Pref. | 89 Pref. |
Engine and transmission details:
Interior space in the Chrysler 200 declined somewhat as seat quality improved over the Sebring - thicker seats mean less room.
Measurement | Chrysler Sebring | Chrysler 200 |
---|---|---|
EPA Interior Passenger Volume | 102.5 cf | 100.3 |
Head Room w/o Sunroof | 40.1 / 38.4 | same |
Head Room w/Sunroof | 37.9 / 38.4 | same |
Leg Room | 42.4 / 37.6 | 42.4 / 36.2 |
Shoulder Room | 56.4 / 56.4 | 56.3 / 56.0 |
Seat Travel | 10.2 | 10.2 |
EPA Cabin Volume, f/r | 55.5 / 45.3 | 54.3 / 46.0 |
Cargo liftover height | 31.8 | 31.8 |
SAE trunk volume, cu. ft. | 13.6 | 13.6 |
EPA mpg, 4 cylinder, four speed | 21/30 | 21/30 |
Specification | Sebring | 200 | Weight and Towing | Sebring | 200 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wheelbase | 108.9" | 108.9 | I-4 weight | 3,287 | 3,389 |