What's wrong with some C-bling?

Automobile testing is not a precise art. With respective outputs varying by as much as two percent within most model ranges and ambient temperatures, barometric pressures and a host of other handicaps varying, results can differ.

So at times a car may be some tenths quicker or slower than it should be — and raise eyebrows.

However when I tested the Chrysler Sebring 2.4 and the test equipment registered 12.3 seconds for the zero to 100km/h dash and an exit speed of 128km/h over the standing quarter mile, I knew it was totally out of its depth. Compared to the market segment, it’s truly disappointing. Take the BMW 325i — it flattens the 0 to 100km/h sprint in 8.2 seconds and exits the quarter mile at 147km/h. What’s more, the Sebring just level-pegs with the VW Polo 1.4 TDi for the 100km/h sprint while its exit speed is the same as that of the Hyundai Getz 1.4!

Automobiles are an ever-improving science and buyers expect that when purchasing a new one, the money they fork out should be more or less in line with what the market offers within its segment. In this respect the Sebring is sluggard. Fact of the matter is that Chrysler can do better and does have other fine engines on its shelves such as a peppier V6, which will make it into the Sebring soon. The only feather in this version’s cap is its rather impressive fuel consumption.

From the moment I floored the accelerator, I knew I had a ‘battler’ on my hands in performance terms. With a 1535kg mass and a 125kW engine fighting to find appropriate rev ranges via an automatic transmission with selection habits that belong back in the ‘50s, the Sebring just doesn’t cut the cake. The engine gasps for air and makes so much noise in attempting this — the whole set-up is seemingly out of sync.

I did consider that perhaps at the price of R239 000, the Sebring would still prove a bargain. However for almost the same figure you can buy a Mazda6 Dynamic that flattens the 0 to 100km/h in 9.0 seconds, exits the standing quarter mile at 138km/h, is just as well finished, has a better looking cabin and finer handling qualities. Not that the Sebring cabin is lagging in any way, in fact it has a totally different feel to any of its rivals but is perhaps a little to ‘plasitcky’.

One habit I could not come to terms with was when accelerating under power through bends, steering feel would suddenly harden. I’ve never experienced this on any other car before. In fact when cornering at speed, and within reason, heavy steering feel offers less refined feel and control.

For the rest, the Sebring has the looks to turn heads. Styling is unusual but very Chrysler and to some even has touches of ‘bling’. As with bigger brother 300C, the Sebring has brutish overtones that seem to add to its visual appeal. However such overtones normally denote a sense of power – something the Sebring is sorely short of.