CHRYSLER UPS ITS GAME AGAIN If your sole experience of Chrysler motoring in the UK is the old Neon then prepare to be surprised by the company’s latest saloon here, the Sebring. There are some things about it that might raise an eyebrow, like the interior wood trim that looks more like the tortoiseshell trinket boxes that used to turn up in jumble sales when I was a kid. They didn’t do anything for me then and the look certainly doesn’t inspire me now. You may feel the same way, but look past this minor detail and you start to see quite a fine family car. The Sebring comes only as a four door saloon and the steeply curved roofline is, to me, very reminiscent of the Mercedes Benz CLS. Mercedes influence is hardly surprising considering that until very recently the two brands were fairly recent newlyweds. Now they are divorced, and Chrysler is making its own way again. Like many a rejected bride, it has shown that it will be able to stand on its own two feet and enjoy a healthy future with or without a new partner. The Sebring range consists of three models but there’s probably only one that will count here, the 2.0 CRD Limited priced at £18,995. You can have a 2.4 litre petrol car with an auto box at the same price or go for a 2.0 petrol with a five speed manual for £1,000 less. The diesel is sourced from Volkswagen, the familiar 138 bhp pumpe duse motor that is also finding its way into other Chrysler and Jeep products. In previous tests I have criticised this combination of VW motor and Chrysler design because it produced a sometimes uncouth and unsophisticated result. So it’s only fair that this time I should say how well the Chrysler engineering team has integrated this VW motor into their new car. It feels smooth (more so than in some of VW’s own group products) and extremely willing. The Sebring is a Mondeo-size car, so its 47 mpg fuel economy is a good result considering it also encourages you to drive it quite hard. While performance from a diesel like this is hardly ever likely to be described as sparkling, the 12.0 seconds from 0-62 mph and 126 mph top speed are more than adequate. The six speed gearbox is also quite slick, which enhances the driving experience considerably, and while the slippery “wood” rim of the steering wheel needs gripping quite hard the car is still quite a pleasant steer. Smooth leather provides a hard surface to the seats, perhaps a little too smooth, and some people might find the seats lacking in grip, although I found them pleasant enough. Passengers in the rear had plenty of space for lounging but again the seat was too flat and the cushions too short for real comfort. All in, though, they seemed relatively happy. Like its Jeep counterpart, Chrysler seems to have adopted a tougher line on pricing and the cars are no longer stack ’em up high, sell ‘em off cheap products. To be fair, quality has improved somewhat since Chrysler first came here in the 90s and it says something for the brand that it has managed to keep its presence in the UK market where others from America, notably the world-famous Cadillac, have not. Maurice Hardy Chrysler has some notable cars on sale in the UK already – the PT Cruiser retro hatch and 300C saloon and Touring estate, which all get my vote, and the Voyager and Grand Voyager MPVs, on which I’m not quite so keen although it was once good enough for one Tony Blair when he was prime minister. The Sebring is a car that will appeal to drivers who just need to feel different from the herd, who want a car that’s distinctive, is not too much money, and won’t cost the earth to run. If you are one of those who likes talking about cars, you’ll find the Sebring makes a ready topic. People want to know what it is and what it’s all about and there’s quite a bit to keep the conversation flowing. Take the centre console drinks holder, for instance. It has two cup slots, the same as most, but flick the switch one way and it keeps the drink warm – flick it the other and it chills the drink instead. And it’s not just the drinks that get the treatment. Heated seats will keep you warm while the efficient air conditioning will keep you cool. But whether or not buyers consider this to be a “cool” purchase remains to be seen. Annette Hardy Car: Chrysler Sebring 2.0 CRD Limited Does it fit your ego?... 0-62 mph: 12.0 secs Top speed: 126 mph Bhp: 138 @ 4000 rpm Torque: 229 lb ft @ 1750 rpm ...and your wallet?... Price: £18,995 Urban: 34.3 mpg Extra urban: 55.4 mpg Combined: 45.6 mpg CO2 emissions: 170 g/km Insurance Group: 10 / 24 Best bits: it’s decent; it’s different; it’s diesel, so cheap to run.