Chrysler Sebring: three generations of convertible, sedan and coupe

The Chrysler Sebring was a mid-size car built from 1995 to 2010 in convertible, sedan and coupe forms. Named after Sebring in Florida, home of the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race, it replaced the LeBaron coupe and convertible and was itself replaced by the Chrysler 200 for 2011.

Chrysler Sebring at a glance

History of the Chrysler Sebring

First generation

The Sebring arrived as a coupe for 1995 and as a convertible in 1996, both replacing the Chrysler LeBaron. The convertible was built on the Chrysler JA platform used by the Cirrus sedan, while the coupe was based on the Mitsubishi Eclipse and built at Mitsubishi’s plant in Normal, Illinois. Styled by Chrysler, the coupe came several months after the related Dodge Avenger but with softer suspension tuning, and LXi models gained rear anti-roll bars, a differently tuned fully independent suspension and 17-inch wheels with Goodyear Eagle tyres. It seated five, had a boot comparable with mid-size coupes and wore a crosshair grille recalling the original 300 letter series, with the lower half of the bumper used for airflow in a bottom-breather arrangement. A 1997 facelift brought a larger black grid grille and made the Sebring the first car to use Chrysler’s “wings” logo, plus ribbed lower body cladding and new wheels; the coupe earned a five-star frontal safety rating. Convertible trims were JX, JXi and, from 1998, JXi Limited, and the car was sold in Mexico and Europe as the Chrysler Stratus.

Second generation

Chrysler presented the redesigned sedan, coupe and convertible at the 2000 New York Auto Show for the 2001 model year. The coupe used a variant of the Mitsubishi Eclipse ST platform while the sedan and convertible moved to the Chrysler JR platform, successors to the Cirrus. The 2004 sedan received a redesigned grille, reworked headlights and a winged emblem on the boot lid, and the coupe was discontinued after 2005. In Mexico the car was sold as the Chrysler Cirrus, which uniquely offered Chrysler’s turbocharged 2.4-litre DOHC engine with a “High Output” badge and only automatic transmission. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the 2001–2006 Sebring Acceptable in frontal crash tests and Poor in side impacts for cars without side airbags.

Third generation and the end

A third-generation sedan arrived for 2007 with a revised convertible the following year; the sedan could be ordered with all-wheel drive and the convertible with a retractable metal roof. All Sebring models were replaced by the Chrysler 200 for the 2011 model year.

Design and features

• Three body styles: convertible, sedan and coupe, though never all on the same platform.
• Mitsubishi-based coupe: built in Illinois on Eclipse underpinnings.
• Cab-forward sedan: the JA and JR platforms shared with the Cirrus and Stratus.
• Wings logo debut: the 1997 coupe facelift was the first Chrysler to wear it.
• Later options: all-wheel drive on the 2007 sedan and a retractable metal roof on the convertible.

Chrysler Sebring versions

• Coupe LX and LXi (1995–2000): the Mitsubishi-based two-door.
• Convertible JX, JXi and JXi Limited (1996–2000): the first-generation soft-top.
• Second generation (2001–2006): new sedan, coupe and convertible.
• Third generation (2007–2010): the final sedan and revised convertible.
• Chrysler Stratus and Cirrus: the European and Mexican names.

The Sebring replaced the LeBaron and shared its platform with the Cirrus and Stratus; it was replaced by the Chrysler 200. More cars are in the Chrysler collection.

Sources

• Chrysler Sebring, English Wikipedia: generations, platforms, trims, markets
• Chrysler Sebring, Wikimedia Commons: photographs