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2012 Chrysler 200 Des Moines

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The Chrysler 200 comes standard with a 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter double-overhead-cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing that gives it more flexibility in delivering low-rpm torque (160 foot-pounds) and high-rpm horsepower while delivering good fuel economy.  A 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine is optional, generating 283 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque, with two automatic transmission choices (and no manual transmission).   The Chrysler 200 which used to be the Sebring, is more refined throughout, quieter underway, performance is excellent and the handling is sharp.  The cabin is more modern and the materials are more luxurious in appearance and to the touch than the Sebring.

2012 Chrysler 200 Power

The standard engine for the new Chrysler 200 is the 173-horsepower, 166 foot-pounds 2.4-liter world engine that Chrysler shares with two other car companies.  An optional 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 engine is  available, which puts out 283 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque, and is coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission. With the four-cylinder, there is a new three-point engine mounting system that transmits far less vibration into the cabin. 

Inside the '12 Chrysler 200

The Chrysler 200 instrument panel, seat trim, door panels and door pockets have all been designed for comfort and utility.  The instrument panel contains the usual three-round-gauge package, and is very pleasing to the eye, with gray-on-gray graphics and white accent lighting that is brilliantly legible at night when the display remains gray on gray. The center portion of the instrument panel has also been modernized and treated to just enough chrome accents, as has the console and shifter portion lower down than before. On some models, it is possible to have two USB ports, which can be quite handy for phone and laptop charging.  The three-spoke steering wheel has a nice, thick leather-wrapped rim and a thickly padded three-sided hub flanked by redundant switches for the sound system on the left and the cruise control system on the right.   All the materials in the seats, door trim panels, headliner and instrument panel are soft, luxurious and pleasing to the eye, and the seats feel supportive and long-drive comfortable.

Exterior Features of the '12 Chrysler 200

At the rear, there's a cross-car chrome bar between the new LED taillamps and another chrome bar down between the exhaust outlets that serve to widen the look of the car.  The roof and doors of the Chrysler 200 came from the Sebring, but the entire nose, decklid, rear fascia, interior and chassis have been replaced with better and more modern stuff, the new car has very large, fully integrated halogen headlamp units that flow around the front corner into the fender, creating a line that goes up over the heavily bulging front fender like other Chryslers and then all the way to the rear of the car through the centerline of the body.

Model Lineup

The 2012 Chrysler 200 is available in midsize sedan and convertible body styles. The sedan comes in an entry-level LX trim, while both can be had in Touring, Limited and S trims.

The LX sedan comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, full power accessories, heated mirrors, cruise control, air-conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack and steering wheel controls. An eight-way power driver seat and heated front seats are optional.

The Touring adds to or supplants the LX's amenities with 17-inch alloy wheels, an upgraded transmission, automatic headlamps, automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio. The convertible features a power cloth top and six-way power front seats. The Cold Weather package adds heated front seats and remote ignition. Optional on both the LX and the Touring is the UConnect Voice Command package that contains Bluetooth, an iPod/USB audio interface and an auto-dimming mirror. A touchscreen audio interface that includes DVD audio playback and digital music storage is optional.

The Limited adds to or supplants the Touring's amenities with 18-inch wheels, foglamps and leather upholstery. Options include a navigation system with real-time traffic and a six-speaker Boston Acoustics sound system. The Limited convertible can be equipped with a retractable hardtop.

The 200 S differs from the otherwise identically equipped Limited with a standard V6 engine, dark exterior trim, a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel and the Boston Acoustics sound system. A sunroof is optional on all sedans but the LX.

 Conclusions

The transition from the old Sebring to the 2012 Chrysler 200 is  a very nice one.  It's prettier by far, the interior is more modern and the materials more luxurious, the cabin is quieter, the engine performance in the V6 is excellent, and the crisp, sharp handling makes the 200 more of a crowd pleaser.  Click here to learn more about the 2012 Chrysler 200.

Some of the information for this review was obtained through newcartestdrive.com