So they sent the old Chrysler Sebring convertible to rehab. Or was it a spa?
In any event, the body has been not so much reshaped as cleaned up. One can still see the basic form of the old convertible, but the new corporate grille and trim taillights thankfully help cloud your memory.
The treatment really worked inside, where you can’t tell this new 200 is the former Sebring. Facing the new Chrysler badge on the steering wheel, you can look through to more sophisticated gauges. The outboard vents and center-dash screen and controls are tastefully rimmed. Everything has a soft touch...nothing like the old Sebring.
Same goes with the seats, which are as cozy and secure as they are good looking. This also goes for the back seats, which feel more spacious than those of other convertibles such as the Mustang, Volvo C70 and Volkswagen Eos.
There are two engines—a 173-bhp 2.4-liter inline-4 or the new 283-bhp 3.6-liter dohc V-6. While the latter comes with a conventional 6-speed automatic, the four will soon get Chrysler’s new 6-speed dual-clutch automatic.
As crucial to the car’s rehabbed styling is what engineers did for the suspension. From firming up most of the bushings to generally taking the slop out of the front-drive machine’s suspension, Chrysler has done away with the rental-car manners. We wish the engineers had gone a bit firmer, but considering the market of the car, we offer a tip of the hat to Chrysler for the improvements.
Chrysler 200 Convertibles are available in three levels: Touring ($26,445), Limited ($31,240 plus) and the upcoming S, a high-line model that has not been priced yet.
Not surprisingly, there’s a lengthy list of options, but the one most deserving of mention is the folding hardtop, which adds a bit more than $2000 to the car. In a half minute you can go from coupe to open air, and still with a decent size trunk. It’s worth the money.
Once again, we are impressed with the progress Chrysler has made with one of its formerly so-so products in a timeframe once thought impossible.