chicagotribune.com's view

It worked with the 300 sedan in 2005. Customers materialized–including those whom Chrysler hadn’t seen before.

The 300 captivated the public with a bold design, a switch to rear-wheel-drive from front, and, mostly, a Hemi V-8 that proved a welcome relief for those grown tired of cars as appliances.

Chrysler is counting on an encore from Sebring.

“Just as the 300 redefined the large-car segment and signaled the return of the great American car, the all-new Sebring sustains the momentum started by the blockbuster 300,” said George Murphy, senior vice president of global marketing.

Well, not quite.

Sebring doesn’t have the same weapons at its disposal as the 300, especially the Hemi.

Sebring will get a convertible, but Chrysler isn’t talking when or whether it will be a softtop or retractable hardtop.

“Stay tuned,” it insists.

For now, Sebring is offered in base, Touring and Limited versions. We tested the Touring.

It features the distinctive Chrysler face with the sculptured hood borrowed from the Crossfire coupe and Pacifica crossover. It also has the signature grille with floating winged logo and large quad headlamps. In profile it has the slope of a coupe, the styling rage.

Nice, but no head turner like 300.

Inside, fashionably colored dash, instrument panel and door panels with pleasant-to-the-eye and soft-to-the-touch grains and textures have replaced the cheap plastic look.

All Sebrings feature a two-tone interior with dark and lighter shades of gray or beige. It’s designed to make the cabin look spacious, though some will argue it looks a bit piecemeal.

There’s ample stretch room front and rear and above-average head room in back, though knee room there will be tight if the folks upfront are tall.

Sebring is aimed at 35-55 year olds with median incomes of about $65,000, the majority married and (55 percent) female, the reason for the fashionable cabin.

There are three engine choices yet none are rubber burners: A 2.4-liter, 173-horsepower 4-cylinder (up from 150 h.p. in the 2006 model; a 2.7-liter, 190-h.p. V-6 (down from 200 h.p.); and a new 3.5-liter, 235-h.p. V-6 in the Limited.

The 2.4 and 2.7 are teamed with 4-speed automatics, the 3.5 with a 6-speed automatic with Autostick for manual mode shifting.

A 2-liter, 140-h.p., turbodiesel 4 is available for export.

Our Touring model came with the 2.4, great for mileage with a 24 city/32 highway rating, but not for quiet or energetic operation. It has a case of the 4-cylinder growls. All that attention to fits and finish, close tolerances and color schemes to send the cabin upscale, yet not enough insulation to keep it free of noise.

For quieter and quicker response, move up to the 2.7. Best choice is the 3.5, though what you gain in performance you sacrifice in mileage with a 19/28 rating, but you can get it in only the top-of-the-line Limited.

Though not the swiftest machine, Sebring has a suspension tuned to minimize road harshness filtering into the seat or steering wheel.

Decent handling with its 17-inch all-season radials, but not high-performance by any means.

Seats are well cushioned though side bolsters are small. Taking a sharp corner at speed makes the car and your body lean. Sebring is meant more for leisurely cruising than high-speed adventure.

Electronic stability control and traction control are available to ensure traction during acceleration on slippery surfaces.

But it isn’t available on the Touring with the 4 cylinder, another reason to move up. It runs $475 with the 2.7 in the Touring and $425 with the 3.5 in the Limited.

Four-wheel anti-lock brakes, however, are standard.

Chrysler tries to make Sebring stand out in amenities.

“Sebring features a slew of new technologies not typically found or expected in a mid-size car,” said David Rooney, director of Chrysler marketing. “These features make life easier and safer, while making the overall driving experience much more enjoyable.”

Those unexpected high-tech sizzlers range from a 4-in-1 information, entertainment, navigation, audio system to cupholders that heat or cool your beverage.

But safer would be with stability control standard on all models.

Base price of the Touring is $20,195.

Standard equipment includes side-curtain air bags; rear-window defroster; power locks; keyless entry; speed control; power windows with driver one-touch down; air conditioning; fold-down rear-seat armrest with cupholders; AM/FM stereo with in-dash CD and MP3 player and four speakers; analog clock; outside temp display; 12-volt power outlet; tilt and telescopic steering column; and power heated mirrors.

Noteworthy touches include fold-flat rear seat backs to extend cargo capacity from the trunk; bottle/beverage holders in the doors and front console; spacious trunk with wide-opening lid for easy loading/unloading; stowage space/coin holder under the sliding (way too much) center armrest; and light-emitting diode (LED) interior lighting with high-focus white lights front and rear that bring daylight to the cabin any time at night.

But, oh, those options. Take MyGIG, an information, entertainment, navigation and audio system all rolled into one for geeks.

It includes a touch-screen navi panel with 65,000 colors; a 20 gigabyte hard drive that offers Music Juke Box for organizing music and pictures; MP3 connectivity; voice-memo recording; the ability to display movies on the radio screen when the vehicle isn’t in motion; Sirius satellite radio; and UConnect hands-free phone with Bluetooth technology. For a mere $1,895.

But it wasn’t on the test car, nor was a rear-seat DVD system at $1,195.

Stain, odor and static resistant Yes Essentials cloth seats are standard; add $250 to heat them upfront.

Cupholders heat coffee to 140 degrees or cool pop to 35 degrees are part of a $915 convenience package not available with the 4.

Remote start is part of a $795 Convenience Group that includes a tire pressure monitor and cabin air filtration system.

Sebring will be joined at the Sterling Heights, Mich., assembly plant by the Dodge Avenger (former Stratus) early next year with more focus on sportiness.

Rumors are that Sebring/Avenger will be joined by a crossover derivative. Chrysler is mum.

STRICTLY PERSONAL: Birthday greetings to twins Gina and Dana and daughter-in-law Lori plus anniversary greetings to Dana.

– – –

2007 Chrysler Sebring Touring

Price as tested: $22,555*

THE STICKER

$20,195 Base

$730 Power sunroof

$485 17-inch aluminum wheels

$360 UConnect hands-free phone

$300 AM/FM stereo radio with six-disc in-dash DVD player/MP3 player

$250 Heated front seats

$195 Sirius satellite radio with one-year free service

$40 Daytime running lamps

*Add $675 for freight

THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 108.9 inches

Length: 190.6 inches

Engine: 2.4-liter, 173-h.p. 4-cylinder

Transmission: 4-speed automatic

CITY: 24 m.p.g.

HIGHWAY: 32 m.p.g.

PLUSES

More stylish remake of staid sedan.

Lots of novelties, such as heated/cooled cupholders.

MINUSES

4-cylinder growl.

No convertible–for now.