The new Chrysler Sebring replaces the Stratus model and has been here in the UAE for the past few months. Chrysler is absolutely right in giving this new car a new name as it is as different to the model it replaces as chalk is to cheese!

The Sebring is a dynamic, vibrant and exciting car to drive - and be seen in - thanks to yet another styling triumph by those innovative Chrysler car designers. The overall design retains the Chrysler trademark egg-crate grille and elegant 'Cab-Forward' style with its sleek hood and sporty profile.

The 2.7-litre V6 DOHC 24-valve SMPI engine is larger than that used in the Stratus, and it produces 200 bhp at 5,900 rpm and torque of 260 Nm at 4,300 rpm, but is 10 per cent more fuel-efficient, thanks to a revised engine management system. The car has 4-speed automatic transmission but this comes with Chrysler's own patented 'AutoStick' that provides drivers with the control of a clutchless manual transmission shift but with the convenience of an automatic transaxle.

The ride and handling of the new Sebring is greatly improved over its predecessor, with a degree of refinement normally associated with much more expensive cars. Modifications were made to the front and rear shock absorber damping and rebound rates with rebound springs added to the front suspension set-up. The steering is by rack and pinion and is, of course, power-assisted.

The interior of the car is a delight to behold. It is a mix of elegance, functionality and sheer bravado. The initial impression is that of space, headroom and comfort. The driver's – and front passenger's seats - are well-shaped and offer a firm lateral support when cornering, and are also very comfortable with 8-way adjustments available. With passenger safety of ever-increasing importance for car users and manufacturers alike, it is worth noting that the Sebring Chrysler is, for the first time ever, offering optional side airbag curtains. Apart from these items, the bodyshell of the new Sebring also brings new safety standards for rigidity and torsional resistance.

Driving impressions

There are lots of nice and interesting features to discover when you sit behind the steering wheel of the new Chrysler Sebring. The instrument dials have an off-white electro-luminiscent background and clearly visible black numbers for the speedometer and the rev counter. The red line of the tacho is 6,500 rpm - maybe a trifle optimistic but promising nevertheless. The steering wheel spokes hold the remote control audio controls and cruise controls. The wheel itself is leather-bound and nice to hold.

The car moves off smoothly from a standing start, and one is quickly in tune with the spirit and nature of the vehicle. It is an 'encouraging' car to drive. By that I mean it encourages you to use the performance and handling characteristics inherent in the vehicle. It feels a very safe car to drive in all respects.

Friday was invited by DaimlerChrysler to the south of Spain near Marbella, in the province of Cadiz, to see and drive this new car. Our test route included several long stretches of super highway along the coast and a delightful detour into the more mountainous areas inland. The Sebring was in its true element in these conditions, the engine proving extremely responsive to the throttle for overtaking other vehicles on the highway and the suspension soaking up the bumps and undulations on less smooth surfaces. In the rural areas on the winding roads the AutoStick clutchless manual gear-changing was a delight to use, enhanced by the leather-clad stubby shift lever, and contributed enormously to the sheer pleasure of driving the Sebring.