What they said when the Chrysler Crossfire was new… (Jul 15 2003)
CHRYSLER has the lucrative prestige sports coupe market in its sights with the new Crossfire.
Launched in the US on July 4 - America's Independence Day - Chrysler's first ever sports-car for individualists hits UK showrooms in October.
There are about 500 advance orders for the £27,260 Crossfire and that's close to the right-hand-drive capacity of the Karmann plant in Germany which is building it for Chrysler, at a rate of 20,000 a year with most going to the US.
The design concept for the Crossfire was unveiled at the 2001 North American auto show, and a production version appeared inside three months, with Karmann hired that October.
Twelve months from unveiling, the production car was shown in Los Angeles in January 2002 and building started this year.
The very rapid transition from concept-to-creation was possible because Crossfire largely uses components sourced from Chrysler's stablemate in the Daimler Chrysler group, Mercedes-Benz - in particular the CLK sports car.
The Crossfire has a 215bhp, 3.2-litre, 18v V6 engine with a choice of either a six-speed manual or five-speed sequential automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. It's good for 160mph with the 0-60mph sprint achieved in less than seven seconds.
The strictly two-seater Crossfire has a classic sports coupe profile with a long bonnet and short rear overhang, with many sweeping curves and neat styling touches, including satin silver finish around the windscreen. A Porsche-style, active rear aerofoil raises when roadspeed exceeds 45mph but can be lowered if required.
The Crossfire is the first car from the American giant to use the latest Chrysler badge with extended wings across the full width of the grille and also the first to show off the new "family face" of Chrysler with four headlights.
The bonnet features speed stripes and a "spine", which extends over the bonnet, roof and tail is also mirrored inside the car on the headlining.
Inside, two-tone colour schemes, leather and brightwork give it a classic but modern theme.
Standard equipment includes air conditioning, powered seats, mirrors and highly sophisticated brakes, traction control and a multitude of airbags.
Costing £27,260 for the manual and £28,500 for the auto, there are no other options and as such it pitches directly against the Audi TT, the forthcoming new Nissan 350Z and the Porsche Boxster.
And how will it fare? I believe it will do extremely well and Chrysler should have no trouble selling its UK allocation.
It has distinctive looks, good performance and an acceptable equipment list as an attractive price.
On destricted German autobahn it easily ran to over 140mph and I have no doubt to question its claimed maximum. It means our 70mph limit is reached and held with the big engine barely turning over.
The engine's characteristic is a particularly wide torque band to reduce gear changing and promote flexibility, which should help fuel consumption to about 28mpg overall.
It is a little jerky from rest, and under hard throttle the changes are not as smooth as some rivals, but its brakes are well balanced and powerful, although I would personally have preferred greater feel through the steering.
On secondary roads, including many with poor surfaces, its 19 and 18-inch wheels and special Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres pick up bumps and tarmac breaks, and the firm sports suspension and seats do not always absorb the shocks.
But the firm springing does give the Chrysler Crossfire good poise and responses, particularly at speed But at whatever speed you drive, the car has eye-catching appeal.
It is going to be one of the most desirable cars of the year.
Words: Robin Roberts
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