New Chrysler 200 Convertible Prices Announced, Four-Cylinder Starts from $27,195, V6 from $31,990

We've already had our first in-depth look at the revised Sebring Convertible, which has been renamed to 200 Convertible, but now, Chrysler has releasing pricing a couple of months ahead of its market launch in the States. The new 200 Convertible is available in three trim levels (Touring, Limited and S), two engine choices including a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 3.6-liter V6, plus the option of a traditional soft top or a retractable metal hard top.

 

The range begins with the entry-level Touring model powered by a 173HP 2.4-liter four-banger matched to a six-speed automatic transmission, which is priced at $27,195 including a $750 destination fee. That brings the 200 Convertible in the same price range as Ford's 305HP Mustang Convertible V6, which starts at $27,495 (including destination and a $500 cash back). 

Standard features on the Touring model include a cloth soft-top, leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated controls for audio and speed control; leather-wrapped shifter knob; air conditioning; MP3 radio with six speakers; front and side air-bags, electronic stability control with brake assist and traction control; automatic headlamps with LED light pipe accents; LED taillamps; power windows and locks; remote keyless and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Next up is the 200 Limited that is powered by the 283HP-strong 3.6-liter Pentastar engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It has a starting MSRP of $31,990 including a $750 destination fee.

On top of the standard features of the Touring, the Limited adds leather heated front seats; remote start; Media Center 730 touchscreen with 30 gigabyte HDD/CD/DVD/MP3 radio; Uconnect handsfree phone with Bluetooth; USB port for iPod/MP3 connectivity; electrochromatic rearview mirror; universal garage door opener; fog lamps; exterior chrome details and 18-inch alloy rims. 

Following the launch of the Touring and Limited variants, Chrysler will further enhance the 200 Convertible's range with the addition of the 'S' model. Offered exclusively with a V6 engine, the 'S' will come with several unique styling features such as a special finish on the grille, dark headlamp surrounds, bespoke 18-inch "tuner-inspired" aluminum wheels, black leather seats with suede inserts and a Boston Acoustics speaker system. The Detroit automaker did not announce pricing details on the 200 Convertible S.

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VIDEO: New Chrysler Ad Emphasizes the Importance of Style

In its latest commercial, Chrysler takes a trip down memory lane, showcasing some of its vintage models and wonders what ever happened to the glamour and style that these cars represented. And you guessed it; according to Chrysler, good 'ol American style is making a comeback on the firm's new models like the recently launched 300 sedan. Video available after the jump.

By Csaba Daradics

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Chrysler 200 Convertible Photographer Lashes Out on Facebook, Calls the Person who Leaked the Pictures an "Arrogant D...bag"

If you've been following our daily posts, you'll remember that the first batch of photos of Chrysler's 200 Convertible, previously known as the Sebring, were leaked onto the net last Thursday (January 13, 2011). The following day, Chrysler posted the photos on its official website. End of story? Well, not exactly as we discovered a very interesting posting on the photographer's official Facebook page.

Webb Bland, the person who shot the admittedly impressive press photos of the 200 cabriolet accused a “misguided idiot somewhere outside of the fantastic marketing team at Chrysler” for leaking the images “weeks in advance of the meticulously scheduled unveiling”.

“Rage-induced”, Mr. Bland added that “it's goddamn infuriating that so many car blogs have already run many of the photos cropped awkwardly, without context or back story, and at a horribly compressed resolution, on top of that.”

While we can understand the photographer's disappointment, we think that his reaction was over the top. Leaks (intentional or...not) are all too common in the automotive industry and you just can’t accuse all blogs for the quality of the photos. Neither can you expect them to crop a photo just like a professional photographer. Furthermore, all sites posted the HD pictures once Chrysler decided to drop the ball.

Any website - be that a news outlet or a blog- jumps at such an opportunity in order to be able to convey the latest information to its readers. But in any case, we’re not the enemy of professional photographers and we’re pretty sure the online media wasn’t trying to sabotage Mr. Bland’s work.

Maybe Mr. Bland should’ve concentrated on finding out who was that “one selfish arrogant douchebag who got a hold of the digital files before the CEO was set to review the images”, rather than taking a shot at blogs and automotive websites that present his work to the public.

We don’t want to add any more fuel to this fire, but it seems that Mr. Bland has a good idea about who the culprit might be and maybe the fact that it could be a Chrysler exec is what caused him to lash out. 

Granted, if someone inside Chrysler leaked the photos, there’s not much Mr. Bland can do, other than maybe re-evaluate his professional relationship with the automaker.

In any case, reporting the news shouldn’t be confused with wrongdoing.

By Csaba Daradics

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