The 2001-05 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

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The Chrysler Sebring was been the best selling convertible since the day it was brought out in 1996. 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 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%, according to Chrysler.

Drivetrain

New to the Sebring is Chrysler's 2.7 liter V6, which replaces the pokey Mitsubishi 2.5 V6. This adds 32 horsepower and 22 lb-ft of torque, while increasing gas mileage by almost 10%. 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 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 includes a manual transmission - and uses the Dodge Stratus instrument panel.

Suspension

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.

Beefed-up underbody rails and a new stamped front suspension crossmember also enhanced 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. A stamped bracket built into the side rear window cavity added body stiffness and managed crash energy in side collisons.

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 uses a chip embedded in the key, added more security.

A headlamp time delay kept 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 was 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 was 25% brighter headlights, with an improved light pattern.

Sebring convertible top

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
• 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)

Specifications: 2005 Chrysler Sebring convertible

Engines

	2.4 engine	2.7 engine
Type	I-4, 148 cid	60° V-6, 167 cid
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		Weight distribution	61/39 (except base, 60/40)
Second	1.57		Weight	3.357 - 3,448
Third	1.00		Drag (base), cD	.346
Fourth	0.69		Drag (GTC), cD	.349
Final drive ratio	3.91		Drag (others), cD	.351
Overall top gear	2.69		Gas tank	16 gallons
Wheelbase	106		Interior volume	90.3 cubic feet
Track	60.2		SAE interior volume	36.9 cubic feet
Length	193.7		Volume index	101.6 cubic feet
Width	69.4		SAE cargo volume	11.3 cubic feet
Height	55.0

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 the third generation, 2008-2010 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

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.

Body	2008-2010	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
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
Interior	2008-2010	2001-2006
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)
Engines	2008-2010	2001-2006
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

Chrysler Sebring forum • 2008 Sebring Convertible • 2001-2007 Chrysler Sebring convertible review

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