It is not unusual for auto manufactures to use similar styling cues on multiple models. It is the sum of all the parts that determines the true value of the vehicle. How the car feels, the quality of the workmanship, and how much fun it is to drive is just as important as the style. I will reserve judgment on the Sebring's style until I can see it in person. I did not like the Crossfire from the pictures until I saw one in person, and now I think the pictures look marvelous. The minds eye can have a tremendous influence on perceived judgment. However, what really endeared me to my Crossfire was the quality of the workmanship, the feel of the vehicle, and it was so much fun to drive. I would venture to guess that if you pull your Crossfire up next to the new Sebring and drove both, there would be no comparison. Someone should try it and report back.

 

here are the pics for ease of viewing:

 

The back of the car is extremely similar to the new Corolla. The Crossfire inspired grille does not go with this car's boxy front. Remember how everyone thinks this car is something other than a Chrysler? An expensive exotic car? Possibly a Mercedes? Well, this is going to completely ruin this assumption. People will see all of the Crossfire parts on this car and then when they see the Crossfire, think that it is the cheap coupe version. I am very unhappy with this.

 

From today's Chrysler press release on the new Sebring:

"Heated/cooled front cupholder for keeping cool beverages cool and hot beverages hot. Cupholder can heat beverage to 140 degrees F or cool to nearly freezing at 35 degrees F."

Now doesn't that make you jealous?

 

So does that make me the only one who likes the styling of the car??? I think it is a much better improvement over the current sebring. I can see similar styling cues between the XF and sebring but I don't think it will make the XF worth less.

 

Well, the Camaro concept car Chevy released this year at the auto show sure has some strong resemblances to the C6 IMO.

 

Well, if you put it that way I can see it devalue the car. But then again it's all a matter of perception. No one can predict the perception until the car actually comes out. I see the glass half full, you see it half empty. We'll see how it unfolds...

If you look at it w/o thinking about the xfire, it's quite a substantial improvement to the previous generation "ugly" (IMO) sebring.

I wonder how it will look as a convertible. Maybe the roadster xfire owners will be jealous .

 

You're right, but that's been the case with Camaros and Corvettes for decades, even including sharing engines or parts on occasion since 1983. And the Camaro was at times even known as "the poor man's Corvette." But the Camaro was never built as a four-door sedan styled like a Vette. A family resemblance is fine, but the new Sebring takes the Crossfire DNA too far afield, IMO.

 

That CTD grill is a must have at this point. Hey people let's not forget, this is a POS Chrysler Sebring (barf), that must compete with the likes of the Toyota and the Honda. It will never sell. I am just waiting for the new Firebird to come out, then I am gone. But if they actually build the Challenger... well that might just be a different story.

 

Chrysler clearly stated when both the Crossfire concept car and road car came out that this was a way to establish a new styling theme that would run throughout their product line. We saw it almost immediately in the Pacifica, and should not be in the least surprised that their new mid-size sedan should also use Crossfire-inspired design cues, from the straked hood to the straight horizontal character line coming back from the front wheel arch at the 10 o'clock position.

Otherwise, I think the new Sebring is a bit of a botch-up, the window detailing around the C pillar is messy, and the entire read end is both unresolved and not well integrated with the rest of the exterior.

One of the biggest challenges for road car designers, especially sedans, is dealing with vertical issues. First you have the vast space between the top of the tires and wheel arches, needed for sufficient suspension travel (and the trend towards ever-increasing wheel diameters doesn't help!). Next you have headroom and trunk space issues, all requiring more height. BMW's (in)famous "Bangle-Butt" is an attempt to address this without creating a gross slab-sided profile.

 

No you are not alone...I have to agree it is big big improvement over the current "rental" car look of today. And also like you said it in no way devalues our cars in fact it is really a compliment. Go to a BMW dealership sometime and look at their cars...doesn't the 5 series look like the 3 series...they want the brand identity and I do feel DC is trying to do that same thing. This car will sell.

 

Fuzz...my wife will not be happy at all. When I hear "Sebring" I immediately think of the beautifully styled convertible that caused me to look at Chrysler with serious buying eyes. Everything that I've bought since 1995 has been Chrysler family...including my short-lived Eagle Vision TSi. I hope that there is still a Sebring Convertible in the lineup...or I need to buy the newest of the current model now so that I can get maximum life from it. I've tried to get Ingrid interested in other cars...but she won't even let me buy her a Crossfire Roadster...even if I promise to get her an automatic. Other than that...the front end is about the only part of the car that I like...other than the heated/cooling cup holder...where's the Crossfire retrofit version?

 

See the comment on http://www.allpar.com/cars/chrysler/sebring.html to the effect that "The 2007 Chrysler Sebring is available in the United States in three models: Chrysler Sebring, Chrysler Sebring Touring and Chrysler Sebring Limited." There is no mention yet of a convertible.

 

My cousins own a Chrysler dealership (the swine...yikes, what does that make me? ), and they tell me that there will be a convertible hardtop coming, but later in the model year.

 

The difference is this, one is an ugly concept car and the other one is a beautiful icon, period!

 

Uh, eeewwwwww!!! The front end is ok, the lights look decent. But from the A-pillar onwards, the design is a disaster! The greenhouse is too big, the car looks narrow, and the interior is a copy of many japanese styled interiors from recent years. And the character line on the side DOES NOT WORK!! Just cause it works on a sports car, doesn't mean it can work on an econo box.

Oh yeah...I'm gonna cry if this new car also gets xenon lights as an option.

 

I think that the Camaro is going to be more then a concept. Chevy needs a car to compete with the Mustang so does Dodge/Chrysler. I think in 2008 we will see the Challenger and the Camaro released. There are many of us out there who still love the muscle cars and don't care what cost of gas is we want our toys.

I also agree Chevy really missed the mark with the Camaro.

 

Don't worry Mark there will be a convertible. I have seen the new sebring and stratus prototypes driving around for awhile now and their was a convertible version driving around with the rest of the prototypes.

 

I read this one article also:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=115869

 

Wow, I saw on in person today with all the camo removed and the pictures do not do it justice at all. I saw the limited model the 3.5 liter engine and the dual chrome tips. It was painted in black and looked amazing out on the road. It stood out for all the other plain looking sedans next to it. It also wasn't as tall as I was expecting it to be. The pictures make it seem like the car rides alot higher off the ground. I wasn't in my XF at the time so I couldn't make a size comparison.

For everyone out there who is disliking the car right now, please hold judgment until you see it in person. Personally I believe the pictures just don't show what the car really looks like.