Nutha SEMA sled: Chrysler's SEMA Sebring
UPDATE: Added more info
UPDATE #2: Hi res pic below (click it) and more details from press release
Following yesterday's peak at the Chrysler 300C Pullman, we've learned of another concept (the third from the Chrysler Group by our count) that will be loaded onto a transport this weekend and shipped off to Las Vegas for the SEMA show. The SEMA Sebring improves upon the original front-wheel drive sedan by throwing out the filigree that overcomplicates the standard car's design. The most welcome deletion is the ribbed hood that was obviously meant as a visual nod to the Crossfire coupe, but comes across looking more like the top side of a wooden boat. In contrast, the SEMA Sebring's hood is glassy smooth save for a center rib and two large air vents that sweep back into the windshield. Underhood is reportedly a 4.0-liter V6, probably the same one found in the Pacifica that produces 253 hp and 262 ft-lbs. of torque. If that's the case, it's nice to know the 4.0-liter fits in the Sebring's bay. A mesh grille, new front bumper, side skirts and a rear diffuser round out the new exterior attributes.
Chrysler will have six SkunkWerks vehicles at the SEMA show this year. As we said before, we've already seen the Dodge Nitro Panel Wagon and Chrysler 300C Pullman, so three down and three more to go.
Just got more details from Ray at Jalopnik:
- Builders: DaimlerChrysler vehicle build shops
- 4.0L makes 285 horsepower and 295 lbs.-ft. of torque
EXCERPT FROM PRESS RELEASE
Chrysler Sebring Tuner
• Builders: DaimlerChrysler vehicle build shops
• 4.0L
• 285 horsepower and 295 lbs.-ft. of torque
Mission: Take the Chrysler Sebring and exaggerate its existing elements to create an even more dynamic and eye-catching tuner. Mission Accomplished.
The Chrysler Sebring Tuner's exterior features new fascias with floating PIAA fog lamps, sill extensions, hood with air extractors, deck lid spoiler and HID headlamps. All front openings have been fitted with custom-stamped stainless-steel mesh accented with chrome bezels. To achieve the proper stance, the vehicle was lowered approximately 2 inches and fitted with larger "one-off" 20-inch wheels machined by Alcoa. Through the mesh wheels, one sees larger 13.5-inch cross-drilled rotors all the way around with Stoptech 4-piston calipers in the front and 2 piston in the rear.
To enhance the vroom factor, it's fitted with a 4.0-liter engine mated to an automatic 6-speed transmission. The exhaust system was custom bent with components supplied by CORSA, finished off with dual 4-inch tips.
The interior features a unique combination of black with starbright silver accents creating a sophisticated and sporty environment. The more aggressively bolstered "SRT-style" seats have been leather wrapped by Katzkin and feature silver contrast stitching. The sound system has been upgraded by Boston Acoustics, with higher-output amplifier, broad-range frequency speakers, custom 10-inch sub enclosures and "My-gig" radio head unit. Driver interface has also been improved with leather-wrapped steering wheel, milled aluminum racing pedals and custom stainless steel cluster and clock supplied by US Speedo.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mauthbaux 5:54PM (10/27/2006)
Most SEMA vehicles seem to be a little over the top, but this one is different. It looks almost mainstream. It makes me wonder why DCX didn't build it this way in the first place.
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samuel 5:57PM (10/27/2006)
I like it... Not bad
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clinton bowen 6:03PM (10/27/2006)
Simple and yet mean looking. 4 stars
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Dun dada 10:20AM (10/30/2006)
Now that looks butch!
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Scott 6:18PM (10/27/2006)
Visually, this is how the stock Sebring should look. Dropping the hood scoops would be okay, but the much cleaner lines are greatly appreciated. With this SEMA design they have taken a car which looks like it came from Pontiac circa 1998 and made something rather handsome.
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Miyoshi 6:55PM (10/27/2006)
Holy $hit, that is hideous.
The "don't get too close" expression of the two guys in the background indicate that they would agree with me.
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Mysha 7:00PM (10/27/2006)
Looks good...
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MikeW 8:51PM (10/27/2006)
Why would the 4.0 V6 not fit, it is basically just a stroked 3.5.
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&$% 8:02PM (10/27/2006)
What sense does it make for a car company thats bleeding red ink to model a FWD sedan off a RWD coupe that doesnt sell?
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iQuack 8:53PM (10/27/2006)
I suppose the purpose of the low bumper or "chin spoiler" is for aerodynamics at high speeds, but for cars driven on public roads these add-ons make no sense. Same is true of the rear deck spoilers that look like carrying handles.
Low-hanging air dams are likely to be torn up in normal driving and don't help air flow at anything close to legal speeds.
All that plastic, carbon stuff, or whatever makes the car look front-end heavy and out of balance with the rest of the design.
I'm beginning to think that when I see SEMA in one of these posts, there will be a photo of a car that looks worse than how it was designed in the first place.
People who actually buy this crap might not realize how silly their SEMA'd up car looks in the mall parking lot.
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Jim 12:44AM (10/28/2006)
Are those "Hood Scoops" PAINTED ON?!?!?!
AAAA HAHAHAHHAHAHA
AAAAAAAAAAA HAH HA HA HA AHHA
Pathetic
HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAAAA!!!
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Jason 12:45AM (10/28/2006)
It's hard to take this car seriously when the headlights appear as large as the wheels. This is 90's styling that is way way out. Chysler and GM are hell bent on putting truck front ends on their cars. Loser.
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That One Person 2:13AM (10/28/2006)
I saw a silver 07 Sebring the other day. Talk about hideous. And only 253hp/262 ft-lbs of torque from 4.0 liters? And people were tearing apart Ford for their 3.5. I know American engines are aimed more towards torque than hp...
But what confuses me, is that if the "new" 4.0 is a bored out 3.5, how come it will only produce 5 more hp in the Pacifica?
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ramsport47 8:48AM (10/28/2006)
What sense does it make for a car company thats bleeding red ink to model a FWD sedan off a RWD coupe that doesnt sell?
Posted at 8:01PM on Oct 27th 2006 by &$% 0 stars
I'm curious to know which 2 door they modeled this after???
I saw a silver 07 Sebring the other day. Talk about hideous. And only 253hp/262 ft-lbs of torque from 4.0 liters? And people were tearing apart Ford for their 3.5. I know American engines are aimed more towards torque than hp...
But what confuses me, is that if the "new" 4.0 is a bored out 3.5, how come it will only produce 5 more hp in the Pacifica?
first of all it's the 3.5 that puts 253hp is Sebring trim, and the 4 liter puts out only 5 more hp in the Pacifica because that's how chrysler tuned it for that particular car. They wanted more torque, not necessarily more hp.
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ramsport47 9:01AM (10/28/2006)
Are those "Hood Scoops" PAINTED ON?!?!?!
NO..if you LOOK at the picture, they are stamped into the hood...Chrysler never "paints" on effects...even my Neon SXT with the SRT design package has a functional hood scoop on it
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Kaleb 11:21AM (10/28/2006)
Still not my style but I have to say the hood is 100% better than the drain board style on the production model.
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rvr 9:11PM (10/29/2006)
way better than production. much cleaner, much more muscular looking. the production car has so many lines and creases you can hardly see what the car's proportions are. on top of that, it matches the silhouette of a saturn to a t. ugh. this actually looks very good, and would work well for the production version--aside from the mesh grille--it would look tight with some nice grille bars.
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Za 1:05PM (10/28/2006)
What's up with the blatant Subaru Impreza headlight knockoff action?
http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/04/stilimited07_011600.jpg
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Nathan Sweeney 2:33PM (10/28/2006)
Wow, usually SEMA'd up cars don't do anything for me, but in this case, that Sebring looks pretty nice. Ditch the hood scoops and that is how the production Sebring should look. Keep the hood smooth, not like the ribbed for her (dis)pleasure one thats on the production model.
253hp/262ft-lbs from the 4.0l in the Pacifica is pretty pathetic. GM gets that performance out of their 3.6l V6, which is actually a really nice engine. 285/295 isn't all that bad if thats what the SEMA-bring 4.0l will have, but I wonder how refined of an engine that will be.
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Aki 3:04PM (10/28/2006)
Hmm, I actually like the SEMA versions, sans the boy-racer hood scoops. No cheese-grater lines on hood, and cleaner panels make this a more modern car.
The faux-tripod projectors are a nice touch--gives it that subtle retro touch with a modern take. Get the front bumper a little higher and you have what should've been the production model. A shame.
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