New Chrysler Sebring Headed for UK Market
During the release of Chrysler Sebring mid size sedan last year, DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group division said in a press release that the car is scheduled to arrive in the UK and other European markets in the first half of 2007. Well for those of British car fans out there who have waited long enough for Chrysler Sebring, here is one good news for all of you.
Chrysler Group has recently announced that the new Chrysler Sebring is heading in dealer showrooms across the UK. Only the Chrysler Sebring Limited model will roll out in UK markets carrying a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of 17,995 British Pounds or about $35,567 USD.
According to Peter Lambert, Managing Director for Chrysler Group in the United Kingdom: “The Sebring is Chrysler’s first offering in the mid-size family car segment, currently dominated by cars like the Ford Mondeo and Honda Accord. The Sebring combines an eye-catching design with high levels of safety and reliability, great performance and excellent fuel efficiency and is priced around 10 per cent less than the competition.”
“Chrysler Sebring includes a host of new technology and features, ranging from a cutting-edge information, entertainment and communication navigation audio system with a 20Gb hard drive to a heated and cooled front cupholder for keeping hot beverages hot and cool beverages cool! Air conditioning, air filtering, heated leather-trimmed seats and a long list of safety systems including ESP and side-curtain airbags all as standard means the Chrysler Sebring will appeal to the pocket as well as the eye.” he added.
The Chrysler Sebring Limited is available with three power plant options, one diesel and two petrol engines. These include the 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 154 hp and 140 lb.-ft. of torque coupled with a 5-speed manual gearbox; the 2.4-litre petrol engine that delivers 167 hp and 162 lb.-ft. of peak torque combined with an automatic transmission; and the 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine that delivers 138 hp and 229 lb.-ft. of torque coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission.
The Chrysler Sebring comes with exterior design cues highlighted by the uniquely sculptured bonnet, large distinctive quad headlamps, and fog lamps. Unlike Chrysler Group's Jeep models with 7-slot grille and Jeep turn signal, the Sebring comes with the Chrysler signature trapezoidal grille with cross air inlets. Interior highlights include a 20-gigabyte hard disc drive for storing map data for the navigation system, Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, Voice memo recording, UConnect® Hands-free Communication System with Bluetooth® technology, 60/40 split fold-flat rear seat, fold-flat front passenger seat, heated leather front seats, and auto-dimming rearview mirror.
In addition, the Chrysler Sebring also offers a bunch of safety features including advanced multi-stage front air bags, side-curtain air bags, front-seat-mounted side air bags, side guard door beams, structural safety cage, child seat anchor system (ISOFIX), and BeltAlert. Moreover, other driver assistance systems to further enhance safety are also included like
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Traction Control System, Brake Assist System and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
STARTECH Tuning Program for the New Jeep Commander
Chrysler Group's popular Jeep Commander 3.0 CRD mid size SUV was in included in the tuning program of STARTECH, a Germany-based company that exclusively tunes up Chrysler and Jeep vehicle models.
STARTECH designers gave the Jeep Commander a more powerful appearance and bold exterior styling, with exclusive auto body parts from the German tuning company. The front fascia is dominated by STARTECH front apron, STARTECH front bumper, and enhanced grille design with three vertical rods of chromed stainless steel for the Jeep signature seven-slot grille. The STARTECH rocker panels comes with integrated LED lights. These lights can be activated with the use of remote keyless-entry or the door handles. At the rear, STARTECH gives the Jeep Commander with upgraded STARTECH rear apron along with removable trailer hitch cover. The STARTECH sport exhaust system with oval tailpipes also highlights the Jeep Commander's exterior appearance. Adding up to the Jeep Commander's exclusivity is the
STARTECH Monostar IV light-alloy wheels measuring 20 inches wrapped with 265/45 R 20 performance tires.
Inside, STARTECH designers offers an exclusive customized interior for the Jeep Commander. The vehicle now comes with exclusive interior components and other accessories including ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel with leather and walnut burl trim cobinations, stainless-steel door sills with illuminated STARTECH logo, and STARTECH upholstery that includes Mastik leather and Alcantara leather trims. Customers can choose their desired interior trim colors.
On the technical side, the Jeep Commander is equipped with quality STARTECH springs and a lowered center of gravity. This gives the vehicle an improved driving and handling dynamics as well as improved driving safety. The 3.0-liter V6 common-rail turbodiesel engine found on the Jeep Commander has been tweaked to pump out an additional horsepower and torque output, thanks to the STARTECH SD6 performance kit. The engine now delivers to 262 hp (193 kW) at 4,000 rpm and produces 580 Nm amount of peak torque rotating between 1,600 and 2,600 rpm. Some of the other engine parts of the standard Jeep Commander model is retained like the Jeep throttle body spacer. With the increased power and torque output, the Jeep Commander 3.0 CRD can now accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, a 1.5 second difference compared to the Jeep Commander production model. Maximum speed is also increased up to 200 km/h (electronically limited).
Meanwhile, STARTECH has recently added the Dodge Caliber 2.0 CRD diesel model to their product lineup. STARTECH engineers and designers have developed an aerodynamic enhancement parts to add to the Dodge Caliber's overall sporty design appearance and improve aerodynamics. New exterior enhancements include custom-tailored STARTECH lift-gate, rear spoiler, and the STARTECH sport exhaust system with stylized left and right tailpipes. Like the Jeep Commander, STARTECH also gave the Dodge Caliber 2.0 CRD with stainless-steel rear muffler equipped with oval tailpipes. Moreover, STARTECH also offers custom-tailored STARTECH Monostar wheel and tire combo, which include Monostar IV 19-inch five-spoke wheels wrapped with to 245/40 R 19 performance tires, and the exclusive Monostar IV 20-inch wheels covered with 245/35 R 20 tires for the Dodge Caliber. With the STARTECH SD3 performance kit, it also provides increased output for the 2.0-liter common-rail four-cylinder engine. The 2.0 engine now pumps out 180 hp (132 kW) at 4,000 rpm and 360 Nm amount of peak torque rotating between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm.
Checkout STARTECH's website at www.startech.de for further information and price list.
BorgWarner at the SAE World Congress
BorgWarner Inc., a worldwide supplier of highly engineered components and systems for vehicle powertrain applications has announced that they will present some of their numerous high-quality automotive products at the upcoming SAE World Congress 2007 that will take place at the Cobo Center in Detroit from April 16 to 19.
Based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, BorgWarner Inc. operates in more than 60 manufacturing and technical facilities in 18 countries. BorgWarner provides powertrain components for international automakers and other companies including Ford Motor Company, Volkswagen AG, Audi, General Motors Corp., Toyota, Renault, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Honda, BMW, Peugeot, Caterpillar, and Navistar International. Moreover, BorgWarner also supplies powertrain parts for DaimlerChrysler, the parent company of Chrysler Group, which produces Jeep vehicle models equipped with quality auto parts like Jeep trunk strut.
"Customers rely on BorgWarner for its engineering expertise, understanding of vehicle dynamics, and ability to develop integrated systems and controls aimed at improving fuel economy, reducing emissions, and enhancing vehicle stability without sacrificing performance. said Tim Manganello, BorgWarner Chairman and CEO.
"BorgWarner is passionate about its commitment to leadership in powertrain technology and developing the next must-have technologies and products that will keep its customers at the forefront of the automotive industry." he added.
BorgWarner engineers will present BorgWarner products and discuss its advantages, how these products work, and conduct forums in every presentation. BorgWarner presentations at the 2007 SAE World Congress include: FEV Powertrain Innovation Forum; How are New Powertrain Technologies Changing Drivetrain Development?; Development of NexTrac(TM) Electronic Driveline Coupling for Front-Wheel-Drive Based All-Wheel-Drive Applications;
Development of an AWD Coupling and Controls for a High Performance Sports Car;
Air System Control for Advanced Diesel Engines; Valve-Event Duration Reduction through Ultra-Fast Phaser Actuation; Mechanism of Shudder Phenomena in Torque Converter and System Simulation; and Development of Friction Material and Quantitative Analysis for Hot Spot Phenomena in Wet Clutch System. Moreover, specific BorgWarner products that will be presented at SAE include systems that reduce cold start emissions, advances in friction materials, improving air system controls for diesel engines, and optimizing vehicle traction and driving dynamics.
