2002 Chrysler Sebring LXi Coupe

On the Olympic difficulty scale, selling sport coupes is right up there with underwater tobogganing. It's because any mention of "sport" gets a prospect's tail wagging in anticipation of the "utility vehicle" words that usually follow. So how does a manufacturer clear this hurdle and draw the eye of customers not necessarily in the sport-coupe mood? In Chrysler's case, the answer is the Sebring.

The Sebring coupe, borrowing styling cues from the 300M and other larger cars in the Chrysler portfolio, was redesigned last year with a stiffer unibody structure for improved sealing and ride quality.

Introduced for 2001 as a clean-sheet design, the Sebring sport coupe wears exterior design cues sponsored by senior LHS and 300M models, wrapped around an interior that's remarkably functional for a 2-door. A new-last-year 3.0-liter SOHC V-6 engine, standard on the top-trim LXi, pumps out a hearty 200 horsepower at 5,500 rpm. Class-leading flexibility comes from the selection of transaxles offered—a 5-speed manual, a 4-speed automatic, or Chrysler's entertaining AutoStick, which provides the best attributes of automatic or manual shifting under one handy lever.


Redoing the Sebring gave Chrysler engineers the ideal opportunity to factor in extensive design upgrades. Increasing the section size of the side sills by an inch in two directions helped raise body rigidity by 90 percent in bending and nine percent in twist. A single stamped panel covers the entire side surface to eliminate countless joints and seams, thereby improving appearance, mass efficiency, and door and window sealing.


The substantial structure is immediately apparent the first time you close a door, encounter a bump, or round a bend. The sound of the door latch engaging is reminiscent of bank vaults. Thanks to its sound foundation, the Sebring's steering is instantly responsive and dead accurate in aim. The suspension reacts to pavement imperfection with supple, absorbent moves instead of hammering the interior with punishment. There's ample grip to handle mountain roads with aplomb. At the adhesion limit, understeer builds progressively to warn you well in advance when to cool it. A traction-control feature that's included with both automatic transmissions helps by informing you when the front tires are prone to sliding. The only downside is that the 17-inch Michelin radials' whir is too clearly apparent on certain road surfaces.


Front suspension struts are stabilized by means of a tubular underhood brace. The rear suspension is a sophisticated multi-link arrangement. Fluid-filled powertrain mounts are used to isolate noise and vibration from the interior compartment. Rubber-isolated subframes attach the suspension systems to the unibody front and rear. Power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes are standard, and ABS is a modest-cost option. The leather-wrapped steering wheel fulfills guidance commands through power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering.