Sebring convertible and Dodge Avenger will debut in Paris
AutoExpress is reporting that Chrysler plans to unveil the coupe-cabrio version of its Sebring sedan at the Paris motor show next month. No word was given on whether Chrysler would be showing the soft-top version, hard-top or both, though. In Europe, the Sebring sedan and convertible will both be made available with Volkswagen's 136-bhp, 2.0-liter TDI engine to satisfy the diesel crazy European market. AutoExpress also claims that Dodge's version of the Sebring, called the Avenger, will debut in Paris, as well. The Avenger, like all Dodge's, is meant to offer customters a sportier alternative to their Chrysler counterparts. We'll be in Paris next month to cover the open-top car's unveiling and see if the Dodge Avenger finally makes its first public appearance.
[Source: AutoExpress]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dan 7:19PM (8/14/2006)
I hope that the Avenger looks better than the new Sebring, probably one of the ugliest sedans on the market...
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Rob 7:22PM (8/14/2006)
I wonder why Dodge is choosing to unveil the Sebring replacement in Paris. Is overseas where Dodge wants to focus on selling this car? And what's with the headlights and lines on the hood on the new Sebring? they make it looks really ugly, hopefully the Avenger will look better.
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Slippery Pete 7:39PM (8/14/2006)
Aztek 2
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Miyoshi 7:49PM (8/14/2006)
Thanks from debuting the Geely, Dr. Z!
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JC Whitless 7:55PM (8/14/2006)
anyone got links to any shops on the sebring convert or the avenger?
And is there an avenger coupe?
I was thinking Dodge was switching to all "C" names...
Challenger
Caliber
Charger
C...oranet?
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Mark 9:03PM (8/14/2006)
The Avenger is supposedly going to be a liftback sedan, like the Mazda6 5-door.
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Howard Kerr 9:10PM (8/14/2006)
"...what's with the headlights and lines on the hood?"
Chrysler is trying to tie all it's cars and minivans together stylistically by adding the "ribs/lines" from the Crossfire's hood to everything they sell. Pontiac FINALLY gets rid of that awful ribbing on the sides of their cars and Chrysler thinks ALL their vehicles need it on the hood.
I thought Dodge was supposed to be ditching the Avenger, I guess they are just dropping the name here in the 'states. Anyway, while the Sebring sedan might just get by in the market with a 136 hp diesel, I'm not sure customers for the Sebring coupe or convertible will accept a measly 136 hp.
Finally, if Chrysler is trying to sell Crossfires in Europe, Sebring coupes and convertibles in Europe, why does this company need Dodge as a "sporty" alternative? Dodge, a brand name not all that familiar to many Europeans?
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Edmund Dantes 9:21PM (8/14/2006)
Coming soon to a rental car company near you.
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Dale 9:23PM (8/14/2006)
Tough crowd.
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ombudsman 10:38PM (8/14/2006)
the new sebring is a move of desperation on chrysler's part. unfortunately, that move has just failed.
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JJ 10:47PM (8/14/2006)
How is updating one of their vehicles a move of desperation? ombudsman?
If thats the case then all car companies must be desperate right?
Funny thought, caliber according to most people here is ugly as hell too..yet its selling like crazy... guess there's no accounting for the average joe's taste huh? I guess that's why Bland cars sell so well.
But even if its ugly it fits with the way chrysler does their vehicles now, you either like em or you dont, but either way they make you form an opinion instead of just "eh".
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Steven T. 11:33PM (8/14/2006)
It's true that popular taste can deviate rather sharply from that what pleases us "car enthusiasts." I guess we'll see whether the public embraces the Sebring (and in general the new Chrysler "branding").
Personally, I'm put off by the ribbed hood; it has a utilitarian quality more appropriate to a Jeep than a luxury-sports car. The Sebring's headlights are uninspired, and the greenhouse has a chunky and unoriginal quality. Why must the beltline be so high and door frames so cheap looking? For this and other reasons the overall look is much less distinguished than the first-generation cab-forward, mid-sized sedans of the mid-1990s.
Daimler-Chrysler's management seems intent on stamping out all traces of Tom Gale's elegantly rounded designs, many of which stood out in their market niches. Some of the corporation's recent designs have shown flashes of inspiration, but by and large I think they have thrown away the baby with the bathwater. Change for the sake of change doesn't always sell better.
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WillDaThrill 12:22AM (8/15/2006)
136 bhp? I know it's a diesel, but if that's what they are starting with, looks like their in line for another slow ass Avenger. They'll probaly offer a sluggish V6 with no manual option again. It's understood that they may not want too many horses in it, but if your going to classify it as a sporty car at least give it some kind of balls. Or change the name to Pretender.....yeah, that's more like it.
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Joaquin Westinghouse 12:23AM (8/15/2006)
WOW the wonderous designers at Chrysler have done it again! NOT!!! I really dont understand what people see in Chrysler products. I have owned THREE Chrylser products in the last 5 years (Viper, Durango and 300C). And as of 2006 I own NOT a single chrysler vehicle. I am not a fan of ford either but I now have a ZO6 Corvette which cost much less than a viper and has a built quality that should make chrysler hang themselves from ceiling fans. As far as automakers that people need to watch for is GM (down for now but build quality has improved 3 fold) AUDI (need not say more) and MAZDA (finally getting away from ford will pay off). Mark my words people, GM will be on top again in the next 3-4 years. Toyota will shrink and ford will become much smaller. MARK THOSE WORDS!
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Glenn 1:05AM (8/15/2006)
Does anyone know if Canada will get the Dodge version on this round. My guess it that we will not.
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Vega 2:42AM (8/15/2006)
@WillDaThrill: You probably haven't driven a modern, european diesel yet. they're not mainly ablut hp, but torque. Last weekend i rented an Audi A3 with the same engine here in Germany and I have to tell you, If you put the hammer down at 90mph (in 6th gear!) you need at least a 200hp petrol engine to follow this thing all the way to 130mph.
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Richard Warren 6:32AM (8/15/2006)
Not the creased hood again.
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Sebastian S. 9:10AM (8/15/2006)
I think Dan (#1) said it best. I just cannot believe that Chrysler approved that car for production. It is so unproportionate. This vehicle will not bring Chrysler the attention that the 300c did. I hope the Avenger will be better than the Chrysler, but don't get your hopes up too high...its just going to be another case of rebadging.
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Drewboy 10:26AM (8/15/2006)
Wow are they bringing back the Avenger name? The car that followed it up was called the "Stratus Coupe". I really want to like the Sebring, but the front end of this one is ugly as sin. I wouldn't be caught driving it. I hope they don't do the same thing with the convertible or Dodge versions. I had two first generation Dodge Stratus's, and really enjoyed them.
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Corey W. 10:58AM (8/15/2006)
Gawd, what's with the d@mn lines in the hood, at one time I considered purchasing a crossfire, but just couldn't get past the lines.
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