2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Chrysler's latest version of its venerable droptop offers three choices of roof and three different engines

Chrysler's Sebring convertible hasn't won much adoration from enthusiasts, but in two generations of ragtops, it's been a solid performer on the sales charts. Off and on for ten years, it's been the best-selling convertible in America , trading off in recent years with Ford's Mustang.

Much of the Sebring's success has come in rental fleets, where four-passenger seating with plenty of sun is a priority. In addition to plenty of room for adults, the folding top makes it an ideal rental car for a vacation weekend—or a business trip, or even a parade, we think. Beyond that, the last two editions have shared smooth styling and a range of decently powered engines, if not gobs of character.

With the third Sebring convertible, Chrysler's adopted a harder styling edge and a niftier premise. Three new convertible tops are being offered on the Sebring—hard, soft fabric, and vinyl—and the trio, Chrysler hopes, will keep rental markets happy while pulling the Sebring's image into the more upscale demimonde occupied by the likes of the Pontiac G6, the Volkswagen Eos, and even the Volvo C70.

A Multitude of Tops

Is there such a thing as too many tops? Chrysler thinks that one hard and two soft convertible lids will broaden the appeal of the Sebring and give it a more hipscale image, without confusing anyone who just wants a convertible when they waltz into a Chrysler showroom.

The base $26,145 Sebring comes with a base sort of top. It's a vinyl lid, but it's power-operated, and can be lowered at the touch of a button on the key fob. Chrysler expects the rental companies will order most of these, since this roof is less expensive to replace.

Sebring Touring ($28,745) and Limited ($32,345) models come with a fabric top (optional on Touring) that's nicely stitched and available in different colors. These too have keyfob operation, a solid quality of fabric and good noise blocking on the road. Both trim levels, in either top material, also feature a hard tonneau built into the lid design. When lowered, the soft-top Sebrings sport a clean shoulder line as a result.

The tour de force, though, is the hardtop option, a new arrival in the Sebring lineup. Available on Touring and Limited models for about $2000, the three-piece hardtop is also engineered by Germany 's Karmann, and also features keyfob operation.

All three top types can be augmented with an optional windscreen and a remote start feature.

Powertrains galore; basics underneath

Chrysler offers three different engine options in the Sebring convertible for U.S. customers. The base engine is a 173-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which delivers 23 miles per gallon in city and 31 miles per gallon in highway driving. We weren't able to test this example, but in other applications like the Dodge Caliber, this version of Chrysler's "world engine" has been reasonably smooth and powerful.

A 2.7-liter, flexible-fuel V-6 engine with 189 horsepower is the middle choice in the Sebring family. Teamed with a four-speed automatic, it's just adequate for most of the demands placed on the nearly 3500-pound Sebring. With two adults touring the shaky earth near Malibu , this V-6 seemed most at home toodling around the Starbucks parking lot than in passing on long uphill lanes.

We found a little more energy and verve in the new 3.5-liter V-6 in the Limited model. With 235 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission, it's markedly quieter and more pleasant to listen to than the smaller six, though the engine's additional power isn't HEMI-obvious. It's nearly as fuel-frugal as the 2.7-liter six, too.

If you're driving in Europe, you'll be able to sample a diesel-engined Sebring, and a right-hand-drive version as well, but the diesel isn't going to be sold in the States, even though Jeeps left and right are being prepped for diesel.

Rounding out the Sebring's conventional running gear are MacPherson struts up front, and a multi-link suspension in back. The brakes are wired with anti-lock on all models along with stability control, and side airbags are standard as well.

Room for a quartet

To increase interior room quite significantly, Chrysler stretched the car's wheelbase by 2.9 inches. The Sebring Convertible is also 3.5 inches taller and more than two inches wider than before. It looks it, too—not only is the long, low form more imposing than the old Sebring ragtops, it's bigger than the new Sebring four-door sedan that shares its assembly line.