The 2001-05 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
The Chrysler Sebring has been the best selling convertible since the day it was brought out in 1996. Its main advantage is the fact that, unlike most competitors, it was designed from the start to be a convertible, not a sedan or coupe with the roof torn off and heavy braces added to keep the body together.
One major change is the design team. While the original was designed by the Small Car Platform Team, the new one was designed by the Large Car Platform Team, presumably because of the timing. Production is being moved from Toluca, Mexico - a plant now dedicated entirely to PT Cruisers - to Sterling Heights, where the sedan version is made.
As one would expect from a new Chrysler vehicle, the Sebring convertible maintains its large interior (90 cubic feet plus 11 cubic feet of cargo volume), and adds more structural rigidity for better handling and a more solid feel. Bending has been reduced 44 percent, according to Chrysler.
Drivetrain
New to the Sebring is Chrysler's 2.7 liter V6, which replaces the pokey Mitsubishi 2.5 V6. This change alone adds 32 horsepower and 22 lb-ft of torque, while increasing gas mileage by almost ten percent. The engine, which uses regular gas, has 200 horsepower at 5,900 rpm, and 192 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm. It includes an active intake manifold for higher usable torque levels, and an optional AutoStick manumatic.
The ignition system eliminates secondary wires, placing individual coils directly above each spark plug. This "coil-on-plug" ignition system, combined with platinum-tipped spark plugs, provides a maintenance-free ignition system for 100,000 miles.
The 41TE transaxle used in the Sebring Convertible and sedan is fully adaptive and electronically controlled automatic transaxles. It remains the simplest, lightest, most compact transaxle of comparable torque capacity in the industry, according to Chrysler, but it does require a special transmission fluid - not Dexron.
The GTC includes a manual transmission - and uses the Dodge Stratus instrument panel.
Suspension
The Sebring Convertible also has a revised steering system, stiffer front suspension crossmember, rebound springs on the shock absorbers, and new sway bar isolators. A short long-arm (SLA) front suspension system is used with a rear multi-link suspension. Standard tires are 15-inch P205/65R15 on the LX model, with optional P205/60R16 tires (standard on LXi and Limited). A full-size spare tire is available for the first time.
Stiffness has also been improved with increased structural ribbing of the transaxle case and the transaxle-to-cradle mount. Noise has been reduced with cylinder block water flow passages designed to maintain uniform temperatures for quiet operation and refined dual, hydro-elastic powertrain mounts. While not mentioned by Chrysler we'd suspect they also increased the thickness of the window glass and added insulation.
Safety and braking
Again, the Sebring convertible follows other Chrysler vehicles with better safety, including additional front door beams and an improved safety cage. Seat belts are still integrated into the front seats, providing automatic height adjustment, making it easier to use the belts, and avoiding a barrier to rear seat access. The head restraints are higher, there is an emergency internal trunk release, and the airbags are safer multistage versions.
Beefed-up underbody rails and an all-new stamped front suspension crossmember also enhance crashworthiness. This crossmember, which holds the vehicle's steering gear, lower control arm and sway bar, slides back in a severe frontal collision, improving occupant safety by more effectively managing the energy generated in a crash. Other changes help keep intruding forces away from occupants. A stamped bracket built into the cavity that accommodates the side rear window adds body stiffness and helps manage crash energy if the vehicle is struck on the side.
For extra protection inside the passenger compartment, energy-absorbing molded plastic ribs are incorporated into the hard trim and molded honeycomb structures are used in the steering column cover and the glove compartment.
Seat backs are two inches higher and head restraints are repositioned to reduce whiplash-type injuries associated with rear impacts. In addition, the structural seat backs are deformable so they move on impact to absorb crash energy.
The driver's door lock cylinders have seven tumblers and the ignition lock has eight, making locks hard to pick. A sidebar alignment notch on the key reduces the potential for theft by using substitute keys, and reduces the possibility of accidentally unlocking the wrong car with a key that has a nearly identical tumbler sequence. Remote keyless entry systems use rolling codes for security. SentryKey, which uses a chip embedded in the key itself, adds more security.
A headlamp time delay keeps the headlamps illuminated briefly after the car is turned off, providing additional security for drivers who return to an unlit home after dark.
Chrysler Sebring convertible brakes
A larger four-wheel disc brake system is standard, and a new optional antilock brake system (ABS Plus) is designed to increase effectiveness in turns by controlling yaw in full and partical siutations. ABS Plus includes Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), a new technology that automatically distributes braking forces between the front and rear axles, depending on how they can best be used, regardless of road surface. EBD replaces hydraulic proportioning valves and works even when the tires have full traction, unlike most systems.
Other brake enhancements include optimizing front/rear brake balance with electronic brake distribution on ABS-equipped vehicles, increased brake durability with larger front rotors, thicker brake linings and corrosion-resistant rotors and brake lines. Corrosion-resistant, larger, wider and vented rotors in the front, along with bigger brake calipers, improve brake responsiveness. Openings in the front fascia and the wheel openings help cool the brakes. This minimizes brake fade. New, thicker brake linings are made of a low-metallic material to prolong brake life and reduce noise.
Another welcome improvement is 25 percent brighter headlights, with an improved light pattern.
Sebring convertible top
Convertible devotees will be happy to learn that the bar has been raised again, this time with a four-window-down system that operates in conjunction with the convertible top - so that pressing a single button lowers all windows and the top. The top has a full cloth headliner for better sound and temperature insulation, and includes a solid glass back window with an electric defroster.
Features (at introduction)
Best-in-class brake system
- Available ABS Plus for enhanced cornering stability while braking (standard on Limited)
- Longer-lasting linings
- Refined SLA (short and long arm) front suspension and multi-link rear suspension for improved handling and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) control
- Power convertible top with four-window-down feature
- New dual halogen headlamps that are 25% brighter
- All-new interior trim and instrument panel
- New five-switch speed control system operation
- New center floor console with rear courtesy lamp
- 2nd power outlet inside center floor console
- Standard Remote Keyless entry/illumination
- New climate control system with improved ergonomics
- Next-generation multi-stage front air bags -- driver and passenger(a)
- Front seat belt pretensioners (air bag activated)
- Inside emergency trunk lid release with glow-in-the-dark handle
- Integrated seat belts in front seats
- Auto dimming inside rear view mirror (LXi, Limited)
Specifications: 2005 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Engines
| 2.4 engine | 2.7 engine | |
| Type | I-4 | V-6 (60°) |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic inches | 148 | 167 |
| Bore x Stroke | 3.44 x 3.98 | 3.38 x 3.09 |
| Valves | 4 per cylinder, hydraulic end-pivot roller followers, DOHC | |
| Materials | Semi-permanent mold-aluminum block with cast-iron liners, cast-aluminum heads | |
| Compression | 9.4:1 | 9.9:1 |
| Horsepower | 150 @ 5500 rpm | 200 @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 160 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm | 190 lb-ft @ 4850 rpm |
| Redline | n/a | 6464 rpm |
| Gas | Regular (87) | Regular (87) |
| EPA gas mileage | 22/31 | 21/28 |
Gear ratios and selected dimensions
| First | 2.84 |
| Second | 1.57 |
| Third | 1.00 |
| Fourth | 0.69 |
| Final drive ratio | 3.91 |
| Overall top gear | 2.69 |
| Wheelbase | 106 |
| Track | 60.2 |
| Length | 193.7 |
| Width | 69.4 |
| Height | 55.0 |
| Weight | 3.357 - 3,448 |
| Weight dist | 61/39 (except base, 60/40) |
| Drag | .346 base, .349 GTC, .351 others |
| Gas tank | 16 gallons |
| Seats | Two in front, two in back |
| Interior volume | 90.3 cubic feet |
| SAE interior volume | 36.9 cubic feet |
| Volume index | 101.6 cubic feet |
| SAE cargo volume | 11.3 cubic feet |
Interior and suspension
| Front | Rear | |
|---|---|---|
| Headroom | 38.7 | 37.0 |
| Legroom | 42.4 | 35.2 |
| Shoulder room | 56.3 | 48.9 |
| Suspension | Double wishbone with high upper control arm and stabilizer bar | Low-arm multi-link |
Comparisons to other years
The second generation (2001-2006) Sebring Convertible had more usable interior space (1.7 inches of rear legroom comes in very handy! and the dashboard had more leg clearance, allowing a tall front passenger to move their chair further forward). The turning circle was slightly tighter, and weight was far lower. However, gas mileage was nearly identical on paper, and possibly worse in real life, as the third generation was measured according to stricter 2008 standards. Part of the reason was a slight improvement in aerodynamics; but engine tuning and drivetrain and accessory-efficiency improvements probably accounted for the rest. The third generation also introduced a new engine, the 3.5 liter (232 hp) - which had been around for many years, but never put under the hood of the Sebring - and a new transmission, the six-speed automatic, whose low first gear helped acceleration. The third generation also brought a hard convertible top option, but the interior was substantially less attractive.
| Measurement | 2008-20?? | 2001-2006 |
|---|---|---|
Wheelbase |
108.9 (2765) |
106 |
Track, Front |
61.8 (1570) |
60.2 |
Track, Rear |
61.8 (1570) |
60.2 |
Length |
193.8 (4922) |
193.7 |
Width |
71.5 (1816) |
69.4 |
Height |
58.5 (1485) |
55.0 |
CdA |
8.2 |
|
Cd |
0.34 |
.346 - .351 |
Front Head Room |
39/37 |
38.7 / 37.0 |
Leg Room |
42.4/33.5 |
42.4 / 35.2 |
Shoulder Room |
56.4 /48.5 |
56.3 / 48.9 |
Hip Room |
53.3 /44.2 |
52.2/44.7 |
Seat Travel |
10.2 (260) |
|
| Turning diameter | 36.5 feet | 36.2 feet |
Gas (gallons/liters) |
16.9 (64.4) |
16.0 |
| Weight | 3742 - 3959 lb | 3,357 - 3,448 |
| 2.4 horsepower | 173 | 150 |
| 2.4 torque | 166 | 160 |
| 2.4 gas mileage | 23/31 | 22/31 |
| 2.7 horsepower | 189 | 200 |
| 2.7 torque | 191 | 190 |
| 2.7 gas mileage | 20/28 | 21/28 |
For our review of the 2001-2007 Chrysler Sebring convertible, with more photos, click here.
