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The 2001-05 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

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The 2001-05 Chrysler Sebring Convertible


The Chrysler Sebring was the best selling convertible from the day it was brought out in 1996 until the late 2000s. The car's main advantage was 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.

While the original was designed by the Small Car Platform Team, the new car was designed by the Large Car Platform Team, presumably because of the timing. Production was moved from Toluca, Mexico (a plant now dedicated entirely to PT Cruisers from 2001-05) to Sterling Heights, where the sedan version was made.

As one would expect from a new Chrysler vehicle, the Sebring convertible maintained its large interior (90 cubic feet plus 11 cubic feet of cargo volume), and added more structural rigidity for better handling and a more solid feel. Bending had been reduced 44%, according to Chrysler.

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Center console Sedan


Drivetrain

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Engine Auto part
New to the Sebring was Chrysler's 2.7 liter V6, which replaced the pokey Mitsubishi 2.5 V6. This added 32 horsepower and 22 lb-ft of torque, while increasing gas mileage by almost 10%. The engine, which used regular gas, had 200 horsepower at 5,900 rpm, and 192 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm. It included an active intake manifold for higher usable torque levels, and an optional AutoStick manumatic.

The ignition system eliminated secondary wires, placing individual coils directly above each spark plug. This "coil-on-plug" ignition system, combined with platinum-tipped spark plugs, provided a maintenance-free ignition system for 100,000 miles.

The 41TE automatic transaxle used in the Sebring Convertible and sedan were fully adaptive and electronically controlled. It was the simplest, lightest, most compact transaxle of comparable torque capacity in the industry, according to Chrysler. The GTC included a manual transmission - and used the Dodge Stratus instrument panel.

Suspension

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Convertible Sedan
The Sebring Convertible also had 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 was used with a rear multi-link suspension. Standard tires were 15-inch P205/65R15 on the LX model, with optional P205/60R16 tires (standard on LXi and Limited). A full-size spare tire was available for the first time.

Stiffness was improved with increased structural ribbing of the transaxle case and the transaxle-to-cradle mount. Noise was reduced with cylinder block water flow passages that maintained uniform temperatures, and refined dual, hydro-elastic powertrain mounts. While not mentioned by Chrysler, we believe they also increased the thickness of the window glass and added insulation.

Safety and braking

More front door beams were added, and a more effective safety cage was used; seat belts were still integrated into the front seats, making it easier to use the belts and avoiding a barrier to rear seat access. The head restraints were higher, and the airbags were safer multistage versions.

Gauge Tachometer Speedometer Measuring instrument Auto part
Beefed-up underbody rails and a new stamped front suspension crossmember also enhanced crashworthiness. This crossmember, which held the vehicle's steering gear, lower control arm and sway bar, slid back in a severe frontal collision, improving occupant safety by more effectively managing the energy generated in a crash. A stamped bracket built into the side rear window cavity added body stiffness and managed crash energy in side collisions.

Energy-absorbing molded plastic ribs were incorporated into the hard trim and molded honeycomb structures were used in the steering column cover and the glove compartment.

Seat backs were two inches higher and head restraints were repositioned to reduce whiplash-type injuries; the structural seat backs were deformable so they absorbed crash energy.

The lock cylinders had more tumblers to make them harder to pick, and a sidebar alignment notch on the key reduced the potential for theft by using substitute keys (or of accidentally unlocking the wrong car with a similar key). Remote keyless entry systems used rolling codes for security. SentryKey, which used a chip embedded in the key, added more security.

A headlamp time delay kept the headlamps illuminated briefly after the car was turned off, providing additional security for drivers who return to an unlit home after dark.

Chrysler Sebring convertible brakes

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Convertible Vehicle door
A larger four-wheel disc brake system was standard, and a new optional antilock brake system (ABS Plus) was designed to increase effectiveness in turns by controlling yaw in full and particular situations. ABS Plus included 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 replaced hydraulic proportioning valves and worked even when the tires had full traction, unlike most systems.

Other brake enhancements included 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 minimized brake fade. New, thicker brake linings were made of a low-metallic material to prolong brake life and reduce noise.

Another welcome improvement was 25% brighter headlights, with an improved light pattern.

Sebring convertible top

The bar was raised again, this time with a four-window-down system that operated in conjunction with the convertible top - so that pressing a single button lowered all windows and the top. The top had a full cloth headliner for better sound and temperature insulation, and included a solid glass back window with an electric defroster.

Features (at introduction)

  • Land vehicle Vehicle Car Steering wheel Sedan
    Best-in-class brake system
  • ABS Plus for cornering stability while braking (standard on Limited)
  • Longer-lasting brake linings
  • Power convertible top with four-window-down feature
  • New 25%-brighter dual halogen headlamps
  • New five-switch cruise control
  • Center floor console with rear courtesy lamp
  • Second power outlet inside console
  • Remote Keyless entry/illumination
  • Next-generation multi-stage front air bags -- driver and passenger(a)
  • Front seat belt pretensioners (air bag activated)
  • Emergency trunk lid release with glow-in-the-dark handle
  • Auto dimming inside rear view mirror (LXi, Limited)
  • 15-inch painted 10-spoke Chrysler wheelcover -- Standard on LX
2004 Chrysler Sebring Convertible changes

Chrysler offered four versions of America's best-selling convertible for 2004: Chrysler Sebring Convertible, Chrysler Sebring Convertible GTC (manual transmission), Chrysler Sebring Convertible Touring, and Chrysler Sebring Convertible Limited.

All 2004 models featured a restyled front fascia with scalloped headlamps, new grille and wheels. A new "Radiation" 16-inch painted aluminum wheel design was standard on Touring and available on the base model. New "Bladerunner" chrome-clad aluminum wheels were standard on Limited.

Inside, the 2004 Chrysler Sebring Convertible featured audio steering wheel controls for improved driver convenience as standard on Touring and Limited.

For 2004, Chrysler Sebring Convertible was equipped with BeltAlert(TM), Chrysler Group's new enhanced seatbelt reminder system. If the vehicle was driven without the driver being properly belted, the BeltAlert system will periodically activate a chime and illuminate a light in the instrument cluster to remind the driver to buckle up.

Specifications: 2005 Chrysler Sebring convertible

Engines

2.4 engine2.7 engine
TypeI-4, 148 cid60° V-6, 167 cid
Bore x Stroke3.44 x 3.983.38 x 3.09
Valves4 per cylinder, hydraulic end-pivot roller followers, DOHC
MaterialsSemi-permanent mold-aluminum block with cast-iron liners, cast-aluminum heads
Compression9.4:19.9:1
Horsepower150 @ 5500 rpm200 @ 5800 rpm
Torque160 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm190 lb-ft @ 4850 rpm
Redlinen/a6464 rpm
Gas Regular (87)Regular (87)
EPA gas mileage22/3121/28
Gear ratios and selected dimensions

First2.84 Weight distribution61/39 (except base, 60/40)
Second1.57 Weight3.357 - 3,448
Third1.00 Drag (base), cD.346
Fourth0.69 Drag (GTC), cD.349
Final drive ratio3.91 Drag (others), cD.351
Overall top gear2.69 Gas tank16 gallons
Wheelbase106 Interior volume90.3 cubic feet
Track60.2 SAE interior volume36.9 cubic feet
Length193.7 Volume index101.6 cubic feet
Width69.4 SAE cargo volume11.3 cubic feet
Height55.0
Interior and suspension

FrontRear
Headroom38.737.0
Legroom42.435.2
Shoulder room56.348.9
SuspensionDouble wishbone with high upper control arm and stabilizer barLow-arm multi-link
Comparisons to the third generation, 2008-2010 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Steering wheel Center console
The second generation (2001-2006) Sebring Convertible was the last to bear the name which was solely a Chrysler design; the third generation had significant DaimlerChrysler "oversight," and was on an expanded Mitsubishi platform (set of dimensions).

The 2001-2006 model actually had more usable interior space (1.7 inches of rear legroom) 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 lower. However, gas mileage was nearly identical on paper, and probably 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 for 2008; engine tuning and drivetrain and accessory-efficiency improvements probably accounted for the rest.

The 2008 models added the the 3.5 liter V6, downrated to 232 hp (possibly because there was not enough room for proper airflow), 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, and the Karmann-made convertible tops, both hard and soft, suffered dramatic quality deficits compared with the original, American-made ASC tops.

Body2008-20102001-2006


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
Turning diameter36.5 feet 36.2 feet


Gas (gallons/liters)



16.9 (64.4)

16.0
Weight3742 - 3959 lb 3,357 - 3,448
Interior2008-20102001-2006


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)

Engines2008-20102001-2006
2.4 horsepower173150
2.4 torque166160
2.4 gas mileage23/3122/31
2.7 horsepower189200
2.7 torque191190
2.7 gas mileage20/2821/28

Chrysler Sebring forum2008 Sebring Convertible2001-2007 Chrysler Sebring convertible review


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