FANT RD K TA!

Greg Wilson

test drive

THE new Chrysler Sebring convertible replaces the popular LeBaron convertible, the best-selling four- passenger convertible in North America for many years.

Though the new Sebring is an all-new car, it adopts the same winning formula that made its predecessor success- ful: it’s stylish, practical, and affordable (at least relative to other convertibles).

The two-door, four-passen- ger, front-wheel-drive Sebring convertible is positioned as a classier and roomier alterna- tive to the Mustang and

~ Camaro convertibles — and a more affordable alternative to import convertibles like the Saab 900 and BMW 318i con- vertibles.

Base Sebring convertible. IX models start at $25,490, and uplevel JXi models begin at $31,985. Fully equipped . JXi Sebring convertibles top oui at about $33,000.

The new ‘Sebring convert- ible is not based on the. Chrysler Sebring Coupe, despite their identical names. Instead, it uses the

. Cirrus/Stratus/Breeze sedan

“platform. The choice of this .. platform has some important advantages: the Cirrus’ cub- : forward design, long wheel- base and independent suspen- sion provides the Sebring con-

’ vertible with a roomy back seat, a relatively big trunk, and

superior handling on uneven surfaces. The Sebring’s four-passen-

‘ger interior is the roomiest

interior in its class, particular-

ly when it comes to rear seat legroom and headroom (with

plaint is the lack of head

THE 1896 Chrysler Sebring convertible replaces the LeBaron convertible. Available with four- and six-cylinder engines, tha Sebring con-. vartible offers a standard power-cperated top, four-speed automatic transmission, power steering and seating for four passoigere Text drive the new Sebring at Regency Plymouth Chrysier, 1177 Marine Drive, North Vancouver.

the top up).

Getting into the rear seat is telatively easy too: there's enough room between the folding front seatback and the door pillar to enter gracefully. and the Sebring’s front seats incorporate shoulder ‘ belts in the seatback, so there’s no pillar-mount- ed belts to get tangled up in.

The interior is both attractive and well- designed, much like the Cirrus, My only com-

restraints on the rear seats. .

The Sebring’s power- operated top is released manu- ally with evo clips. Then by pressing a button on the centre console, all four side windows lower a fraction and the top descends neatly into a cavity

behind the rear seat.

An easy-to-install, one- piece soft vinyl boot covers the top when its down. However, when not in use, the boot cover takes up a quite a bit of valuable trunk space.

Price as tested (JXi): $33,550 Base price (JX): $25.490

Layout: transverse front engine/ front-wheel-drive

Engine: 2.5-litre V6, SOHC, ‘valves

Horsepower: 168 @ 5,800 r.p.m.

On base JX models, the top is made of viny! and has an inside liner and a glass rear window with defroster. Uplevel JXi models, except those in white, get a better-

tooking cloth top.

On the road, there’s mini- mal wind-buffeting in the front seats, but a fair amount in the back seat. Wind noise with the top up is quite acceptable. As is typical with

“Torque: 170 ft.-Ibs. @ 4,350 rp.m, Transmission: four-speed auto-

matic

Curb weight: 1,556 kg (3,430 Ibs.) Wheelbase: 2,690 mm (106.0 in.) Trunk capacity: 311 titers (11.3

cu. ft.)

almost all convertible tops, there's is a blind spot at the rear 4 view, so lane-chang- ing must be done carefully. Another problem is seeing

behind with the top down: the .

3 CANNOT ADVERTISE THEM, (Would you believe? - ‘starting — * under on

driver's seat is low and the boot cover ishigh. — Most convertibles have a very small trunk, but the Sebring’s trunk is the biggest in its class. With 11.3 cubic feet of cargo area, it’s 23% bigger than the trunk of - the LeBaron convertible.

and about 2 the size of *

the Cirnus sedan’s trunk. Base Sebring JX models have a 150 horsepower 2.4-litre DOHC four- cylinder engine mated to. a standard four-speed automatic transmission. ‘This engine provides plenty of power, but‘it's a tad noisier than the optional 168 horsepower 2.5- lire SOHC V6 engine which is optional on the JX and stan- dard in the JXi. " Neither of these engines can match the gut-wrenching...

torque of its competitors optional V8 engines — but the Sebring convertible is not meant to be 4 muscle car.; However, when it co handling, the Sebring convert ible's fully independent su pension provides a raore sup- ple ride and controlled han- dling on uneven pavement than its domestic competit Just like the Cirrus/ Stratus/Breeze triplets, Sebring convertible is fun- to- drive and offers an enjoyable comfortable ® driving © experi

model is Teasonably well- equipped with such standard features as power steering