2004 Chrysler Crossfire Reviews

Now for something completely different; a German Mercedes sportscar with an American body, a low price tag and styling that looks like nothing else on the road.

Chrysler Crossfire's shape is like nothing else on the market. Just look at that huge grille, the strakes on the long bonnet, the vents on the front guards and the stubby cabin. Then let your eyes run back to the down-curving rear. Simply stunning and real head-turners even years after the Crossfire first hit the road.The Crossfire is very well priced on the used-car market as it didn’t sell all that well when new or as a used car. That situation may change as some of the radical styling features have since come into vogue on recent model cars. No promises, though... Chrysler Crossfire's is interesting in using larger wheels at the rear than the front. The resultant chassis balance is impressive and under hard driving the car remains safe and neutral. This is a genuine sports machine that is a delight to hammer hard over twisty roads, with plenty of grip and nicely predictable handling. Yet it remains surprisingly comfortable for a car with sports suspension.Most of the Crossfire's out-of-sight components are shared with an older Mercedes SLK roadster. At the launch of the Crossfire in November 2003, Chrysler told us, “everything you can see and touch is unique to the Crossfire.” However, some of the minor controls looked rather familiar to us. Crossfire costs considerably less than the equivalent Mercs. The similarity in under-the-skin parts was due to American Chrysler and German Mercedes being in partnership at one time. They have since divorced and these days Chrysler is controlled by Fiat.There’s yet another German connection in the Chrysler Crossfire. It was built in Germany by Karmann. The Crossfire has full leather trim, power seats with heating, an Infinity Modulus stereo system, dual-zone air-conditioning and cruise control as well as a quite a few other comfort features - this is far from being a stripped down sports special.Seating is strictly for two and there’s a reasonable amount of cabin stowage and a good sized boot, but the stylish rear end of the Crossfire means the opening of the rear hatch is very skinny. The Crossfire coupe was joined by a roadster convertible in August 2004. Its cabin is on the tight side for anyone much over average height and the seat backrests are very limited in the angle to which they can be reclined. But the styling works beautifully and many feel it’s even more visually striking than the coupe.Chrysler Crossfire comes with a 3.2-litre V6 that drives the rear wheels. Basically, it’s a Mercedes-Benz unit and is seen on a number of models from the German marque and has proven powerful and reliable over the years.A high-performance model, the Crossfire SRT-6 was introduced in June 2005 and sold in both coupe and roadster convertible format. The 3.2-litre, supercharged V6 engine providing an extra 53 per cent more power and 30 per cent added torque over that of the standard versions, at 246 kW and 420 Nm respectively. The torque boost is available all the way from 2300 rpm through to 6200 rpm, providing nearly instant acceleration from almost any speed. Then whine from the blower adds to the driving pleasure.To match the extra grunt, the SRT-6’s all-wheel independent suspension has increased spring rates and performance-tuned dampers. The internally-vented brake discs also are larger. Aerodynamics have also been given an upgrade, with a deeper front spoiler and a fixed rear wing to reduce lift at high speed. The SRT-6’s ride is rather firm so may not appeal to those looking for a cruiser rather than a bruiser.Most Crossfires sold in Australia have a five-speed automatic transmission, but our preference is the slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox. Despite its more sporting nature, the SRT-6 versions of the Crossfire do not have the option of a manual-shift transmission. Standard fare is the five-speed automatic.Chrysler is well established in Australia. As mentioned, these days it’s under the control of Fiat and that company is putting a lot of effort into marketing all its cars in this country. There are Chrysler dealers in many areas, though, naturally, there’s a concentration in major cities. Some Mercedes dealers still have expertise in Chrysler, perhaps talk to them and ask if they still carry spare parts for the Crossfire.These are relatively complex cars and really should only be repaired by professionals, though the simple, non-safety items can be worked on by good amateur mechanics. Insurance charges are quite high, which hardly comes as a surprise, and we notice a fair bit of difference between companies. So it’s worthwhile shopping around. Be sure to go into all the details so the comparison is a fair one.Chrysler Crossfire was discontinued in Australia early in 2009 and hasn’t been replaced at this stage. WHAT TO LOOK FORCrossfire is certainly a car that demands a professional inspection before you hand over your hard earned.Signs of hard driving aren’t that common in sports models these days, as many are only used as attractive cruisers. Beware of one with any signs of competition use, such as a rollcage, extra instruments or race seats.Check for crash damage by sighting along panels for signs of a rippled finish. Also look for colours that don’t quite match and for tiny specks of overspray on non-painted surfaces.Check the floor of a convertible for signs of dampness and/or rust.Other than that, the car is well built and seldom has routine problems. Do the usual checks on engine starting and smoothness and make sure the gearbox or auto work correctly.CAR BUYING TIPEven if you’re looking to buy an exciting sportscar, do everything you can to let your head rule your heart during the buying process. 

The brief flirtation between Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler resulted in a number of interesting cars, the Crossfire sports car being one of them. Given the inevitable cross-pollination that went on between 'Benz and its American brand it was only a matter of time before a Chrysler version of the SL/K sports car emerged.The result was a sports car that performed and handled well by European standards, but with a brash look that could only come from America. If the SL/K was designed to blast along the autobahns of its homeland the Crossfire, it seemed, was created for the boulevards of California.The Crossfire Coupe that landed here in 2003 wasn't intended to compete with its German cousin even though it took its mechanical underpinnings from the SL/K. The Chrysler sportie was several thousand dollars cheaper than the equivalent 'Benz model, which put it into an entirely different price category and had it competing with cars like the Audi TT and Alfa GTV rather than the SL/K. Even so it was still a 'Benz at heart with some 40 per cent of the Crossfire's parts, including the chassis, engine and transmission, coming from the SL/K.While the mechanical package was familiar Mercedes-Benz fare the Crossfire's looks were not. Unlike the SL/K, which was designed to be a convertible coupe with a folding steel roof, the Crossfire was created to be either a fixed-roof coupe or a roadster.The Coupe arrived first and while its proportions were similar to the SL/K's its severely truncated and very rounded rump instantly set the Crossfire apart from its corporate cousin. The front of the Crossfire Coupe was easy to like, it was pleasantly styled and pleasing to the eye, but the rounded rear was a visual challenge. You either liked it or loathed it; there was no middle ground.When it arrived in 2004 the Roadster was a much nicer looking car with much less dramatic lines, the rear was much more pleasing to the eye, and it had a more conventional roofline. By the time it was strengthened to compensate for the absence of the steel roof, the Roadster was only 36 kg heavier than the Coupe, so it didn't lose much in the transformation. The resulting body was quite rigid, and there was little scuttle shake, which is the scourge of many a soft-top.While not fully automated the Roadster's roof was easy to use, you simply unclipped it from the windscreen header and eased it back a few centimeters when the powered mechanism took over and lowered it the rest of the way. Inside it was snug with sporty seats that were a little hard, but still supportive.There was just one engine available at the launch, that being a single overhead camshaft 3.2-litre V6 that boasted 160 kW at 5700 revs and 310 Nm at 3000 revs. Later, in 2005, a supercharged version of the V6 was added. That delivered a whopping punch of 246 kW at 6100 revs and 420 Nm from 3500 to 4800 revs.There was a choice of five-speed sequential shift auto or six-speed manual gearbox on the normally aspirated V6 models, but buyers of the supercharged engine could only have the auto. Like most sports cars the Crossfire was rear-wheel drive.Oddly the Crossfire used different sized wheels back to front, with 18-inch alloys at the front and 19-inch at the rear. There was no spare provided, so you had to rely on a sealant and compressor in the event of a flat. Underneath, it boasted independent front suspension with wishbones and coil springs, and a five-link rear set-up.There are no serious issues that Crossfire buyers have to be concerned about, it is generally reliable and 'Benz mechanical bits and pieces seem robust. Look for a service record to confirm a regular maintenance routine has been followed with regular oil changes. It's also worth checking for signs a car has been given a thrashing by an uncaring owner.With very competent underpinnings in the form of the Mercedes-Benz chassis and suspension, plus standard ABS antilock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control and stability control the Crossfire has the best weapons currently available to maintain control in an emergency situation. Add to that front and side airbags and there's also a good level of protection once the metal begins the crumple.Chrysler claimed the V6 Crossfire would return an average of 10.6 L/ 100 km, the supercharged V6 10.9 L/100 km, but the real life consumption depends very much on the driver's right foot. When tested by Carsguide the supercharged Crossfire averaged 14.2 L. 100 km.Two years ago when Greg Thomas decided he didn't need the back half of his Ford Fairlanes he bought Chrysler Crossfire. He still wanted some punch and to make visual statement, and he says the Crossfire delivers very well on both fronts. It really jumps out of the blocks and has brilliant pick-up from 110-120 km/h that blasts the car forward if needed, and has endless grip thanks to its large tyres. He loves the snug driving position with everything in reach, the seat comfort and support, and the feel of the car. On the downside he says replacing the tyres is expensive, the wipers only have two speeds, the heating system dials and the CD player. Having said that though he adds that the heating system delivers within about 200 metres of driving and the power of the sound system is numbing. He rates the Crossfire at 90/100.Distinctive muscular looksA real headturnerRobust Mercedes mechanicalsSpirited performanceGenerally reliableNo spare.More a cruiser than a hard-edged sports car, but is still great fun to drive.

While the rest of the mob is looking pretty much the same, the American car manufacturer has followed a different path, with a stable of "retro" design models.The latest car to emerge from the behind this barn door is the Chrysler Crossfire roadster, a soft-topped, two seat rear-wheel drive sports car.Based on the Benz SLK (both companies are owned by DaimlerChrysler), it's a fabulous looking thing, with classic sports car lines – long bonnet, short upraised rump and twin centre mounted exhausts framed by massive 19 inch rear wheels and 235/55 rubber.It's enough to take your breath away and because there is nothing else even remotely like the Crossfire on the road it draws attention wherever it goes.If you want to be noticed, then count on it in the Crossfire.For some reason the coupe version of the Crossfire has not been selling as well as expected.But it's hard to imagine the gorgeous roadster befalling the same fate, not when it looks this good, has a 3.2-litre Benz engine, sits on Benz running gear – and is available for much less than an SLK.The heart of the matter is a 3.2-litre V6 that delivers 160kW of power and 310Nm of torque at 3000rpm.It has been superceded by a larger 3.5-litre power plant in Benz world, but it remains very capable of catapulting the car from 0-100km/h in a rapid 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 242km/h.Standard transmission is a five-speed tipshift unit but a six-speed manual is available at no extra cost.Our test vehicle was the auto finished in metallic silver.We found the car a little doey in full auto mode, slow to respond even when kicking down but this was easily rectified by nudging the stick left or right to change gear manually.Some drivers may even find the slow response of the auto more to their liking as it does not pin you to the back of the seat when all you want to do is go a little faster.The black fabric roof is relative easy to operate, but it must first be released by a lever, so cannot be considered one-touch.We would have liked to have seen at least another layer of fabric in the roof to better insulate the cabin from road noise.There is still some cabin turbulence even with a wind deflector fitted and tall occupants can expect some wind buffeting.Handling is excellent with high levels of grip and a decent set of stoppers to match the car's performance.Like the coupe the roadster features a speed- sensitive rear spoiler which deploys automatically when the vehicle reaches 100km/h.The roadster comes fully-equipped with four airbags, heated and power operated leather seats seats, climate controlled air, power windows, cruise control, ABS brakes, traction control and electronic stability control (ESP).Missing is a comprehensive trip computer but the 240-watt six speed sound system which features dual subwoofers is one of the better units that we have tested.Fuel economy is rated at 10.1L/100km for the auto with premium unleaded, but we got about 500km from the 60-litre tank or about 12.0L/100km.Boot space with the roof down is tiny with a reinflation kit provided instead of a spare tyre.Surprisingly, there is not a cupholder to be found.Chrysler Crossfire Roadster is priced from $75,990.

In an era in which $1 billion can be spent developing a new model without doing anything really fancy, that can be quite a saving.The so-called partnership of equals between Germany's Mercedes-Benz and America's Chrysler was designed to give each car giant access to far greater markets – and major cost savings through component sharing. Chrysler's fall from grace, which coincided with the amalgamation, has left DaimlerChrysler struggling to find the financial benefits.But there are signs the venture could be heading for a dividend following a troubled playing-in period.Chrysler has rummaged through Merc's parts bin to come up with a sports car for the US market. The Crossfire uses the underpinnings from the former-model Mercedes SLK, including the 3.2-litre V6 engine and gearboxes, suspension, steering, seats, switches and other componentry such as stability and traction control.Mercedes has upgraded the SLK with a stunning new body, metal-folding roof and many improvements, so why should it mind its "other side" fossicking in its heap of old spares?From Chrysler's perspective, it gets a fun-todrive, performance sports with rear-wheel drive to pitch at enthusiast drivers, at a fraction of the going rate.And remember, general knowledge that the moving parts are by Merc will not do the Chrysler sports any harm at all. The Crossfire coupe has exceeded sales expectations in its first year. Now, with the Roadster version¿s arrival for summer, Chrysler Australia can look forward to quite a return.Taking a purist viewpoint, it is difficult not to get a bit irritated by a Chrysler body sitting on a Mercedes platform. In many respects, it is something of a "copy model". It certainly feels like something from the Mercedes stable, mainly because the mechanicals and chassis are exactly that. Heck, even the switchgear is handme-down material. The Yankee-doodle design is a bit hard on the eye – particularly if you want elegance and not flash. But the need to achieve cost-down measures – and they are the current bywords likely to be around for a while – sponsors strange bed fellows. And if that means bastardising pure engineering, then realists will have to live with it.In any event, one has to accept that the Crossfire coupe and Roadster have been styled for the US market which, generally speaking, requires more of an in-your-face design than other markets.Chrysler stylists have gone for a semi-retro profile which is acceptable in its concept, if not in its execution. The long bonnet and hunchback rear come together for plenty of movement.But one wonders whether all the ribbing and creases in the metal body are really necessary. The large Chrysler grille and tailored headlights are far from subtle but the brand obviously wanted to project an aggressive attitude – and that has been achieved.Crossfire¿s cabin is a bit of a problem area – short-suited on room with a shiny silverpainted centre console which calls for heavyduty sunnies. The seats are by Mercedes and that means firm and supportive. And all the switches and stalks are familiar to those who have driven recent-model Mercs. From a dynamic viewpoint, it is difficult to fault the Crossfire – again, because it is not a true Chrysler but a Mercedes in drag. And so the car has tremendous ride and handling integrity and the 3.2-litre V6 performs strongly in all speed ranges.The 160kW motor can be mated to a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic with sequential manual mode Chrysler calls Autostick. In manual guise, Crossfire can pull from zero to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds on its way to a claimed top speed of 240km/h.And those are good numbers for a sports car in this price range.The car rides on superseded SLK suspension: independent double wishbones at the front and five-link set-up at the rear. Mercedes has the knack of striking a compromise between ride and handling – particularly with its sports models. Body movement is contained well during acceleration, braking and cornering, while road shocks are rapidly soaked up without appearing to confuse the car¿s chassis.A rear spoiler rises from the rear section when the car reaches 100km/h, theoretically to increase the downforce ¿ but one wonders exactly how much benefit really is derived from its deployment.The car comes with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, plus stability and traction control.All that combines for predictable, safe handling even when a corner is attacked at imprudent speed. Safety equipment includes driver and passenger front airbags and door mounted thorax side airbags.The car rides on 18in wheel/tyre combinations at the front and 19in assemblies at the rear. This causes an obvious spare tyre problem and Chrysler addresses this by providing tyre repair sealant and air compressor. While this might get you home – unless, of course, there is a tear in the tyre in which case one has big problems – running a tyre full of repair fluid is not a good idea. And that means a puncture means tyre replacement – which is far from cheap.Unlike the SLK, which has a fold-down metal roof, the Crossfire runs a fabric fold-down. The driver has to pull down and turn a centremounted handle before ¿buzzing¿ down the roof in about 22 seconds. When the roof is stowed, do not even think about putting much in the boot.Finally, the price.The two-door Roadster comes to market at $75,990, which is $6000 dearer than the coupe. That compares well with sports cars of similar firepower. In sum, not a car this writer would kill to own, but nevertheless a competent car which underscores the mass benefits of platform sharing.

Make no mistake, the topless Crossfire is as eye-catching as anything with four wheels and a bucketful of fun to drive.A short stint with the car was welcome but by the end of the week there were few tears being shed when it was time to take the Crossfire home.From the outset, the Roadster – and to a slightly lesser degree its coupe stablemate – was designed to draw attention to Chrysler.To do that, the American brand's new masters, DaimlerChrysler, turned the designers loose in the leftovers bin at Mercedes. Conservatively, 40-odd per cent of the Crossfire is made from bits Mercedes was not using any more, predominantly from the previous-generation SLK.Switchgear, seats, trim and automatic gear-shifter – renamed Autostick for the Crossfire – are instant clues to where the car is coming from.Less obvious but more central to the Crossfire's character is the Mercedes rear-wheel-drive platform with double-wishbone front suspension, multi-link rear, recirculating ball steering and a 160kW/310Nm 3.2-litre V6. All this technology, most of which has been superseded, for $75,990 -- and for that Chrysler will throw in a semi-automatic folding cloth roof. While that is substantially below the price tag for a new SLK Roadster or BMW Z4, it still gives a small start to Nissan's 350Z drop-top and almost $30,000 to Mazda's turbo MX-5.The most obvious compromise the designers have had to make to utilise the Mercedes donor parts, yet give the Crossfire its eye-catching and unique style, is in space.There is precious little room in the cabin with limited adjustment available via the reach-only steering wheel and electric height/tilt/slide driver's seat.If you want the roof down – and why else would you buy a convertible? – don't expect to be loading up the boot. The roof will do that for you. An annoying aspect of the test car was the solid perspex wind diffuser strapped between the individual roll hoops behind the seats.At night the reflection from the perspex shield is so bad that looking in the rear-vision mirror shows only what is in front of the car.Yes, it can be removed and stored but it shouldn't have to be.On the plus side, the Roadster's performance and manners are well ahead of what might be expected from the sum of its parts. In a relatively light body – just over 1400kg – the Merc 3.2 is a happy little unit.In manual or auto the engine winds out freely accompanied by a very pleasant crackling exhaust note.Ride is good, particularly given the low-profile tyres, and the chassis works to a level that would satisfy most owners.Body roll is not an issue and while the steering is generally adequate, there is a vagueness at the upper end of performance.Standard equipment is good – as could be expected for the price tag – with dual front and side airbags, ABS with brake assist, a stability program and switchable traction control.There are heated electric leather seats, power windows, cruise control and dual-zone climate control.The trim is well done with a polished metal-look dash treatment going some way to compensate for the white leather interior of the manual test vehicle.Is that enough to be able to live with it? Personally, no, but there are plenty of a more extroverted nature who would forgive its shortcomings for the guaranteed attention – at least in the short term.

The stunning Crossfire Coupe has been here for a couple of months but has made only little ripples on the local scene despite impressive credentials and sharp pricing. Crossfire's profile has taken a shot in the arm with the arrival of a drop-top roadster this week.The roadster could generate much more interest than its tin-top stablemate because it's even more of a head turner.Buyers in this segment seem to focus on convertibles more than coupes.And for a premium of only six grand, a whole new driving experience is opened to the driver and lucky passenger.Crossfire roadster sells for $75,990 putting it at the affordable end of the prestige sports car segment – thousands less than its competition but with no down side.In fact, Crossfire roadster offers more than many of its competitors – rear wheel drive, sensational dynamics, a Mercedes-Benz engine and transmission, exquisite styling and better yet, it's built in Germany.Essentially the coupe with an electric soft top, Crossfire roadster weighs a mere 36kg more than the hardtop which is a sub-1300kg car.The chassis is so rigid, minimal underbody bracing was required when the roof was hived off.There is no scuttle shake and no creaks or groans when the roadster is driven over spoon drains or out of driveways.The roof is stored in a boot bin that takes a hefty slice of luggage space but hey, who cares – travel fast, travel light in this silky smooth running sex-mobile.Spirited performance is provided by the 3.2-litre, V6 engine with 160kW/310Nm. It's the same engine we have seen in numerous Mercedes-Benz models through the past decade.Like the powertrain the chassis is shared with no other Chrysler model.Interior features are shared with Crossfire coupe and that means a full range of luxury and comfort equipment including an excellent audio system and semi automatic air conditioning, heated seats and an immobiliser.The roadster is offered in a range of striking colours including a light yellow. Interiors have a "machined" look and are all two-tone over a base grey. The cream interior is a stand out as is the orange/brown. Colour coding includes the steering wheel.But from a driver's point of view, the real attraction of this car is its ride/handling.Unlike many competitors, the Crossfire has a supple suspension capable of smoothing our horrible bumpy roads and yet, at the same time, handling is overtly sporty. That means sharp steering, flat cornering, excellent grip and powerful 300mm brakes. Huge tyres no doubt contribute to this dexterity but the overall package is impressive, aided by a range of electronic systems including stability and traction controls.The front suspension is a double wishbone arrangement and the rear is a five link system.Like the coupe, there are two transmissions available at the same price. The manual is a six speeder and the five speed auto has Autostick sequential shift.Though the auto will massively out-sell the manual, the latter is a better thing to drive on the open road. Acceleration from 0-100kmh in the manual rushes by in the low six second bracket.All this to the trumpeting tones of the dual outlet exhaust. It is one of the sweetest sounding sixes around.The electric roof deploys quickly but has a fiddly centre catch.The roadster looks sensational from all angles – fast when simply standing still.It follows no other modern styling cue but has links with Chrysler models from the 1930s and '40s.What a treat to drive and looks that scream style.

The Chrysler Crossfire incorporates typically extravagant styling demanded by American buyers with mechanicals from Mercedes-Benz.And that just about sums up the collision of cultures which is Crossfire.Buyers who like sleek, svelte European styling will not get caught in this crossfire.However, those who want a niche model which is different will consider the new car.But all that said, Crossfire is not without merit. Any car which shares the same 3.2-litre V6 engine, sequential automatic and suspension as Merc's sensational SLK has lots in its favour. And full credit to Chrysler for being different in its styling approach.The two-seat sports car was developed in the US but is built in Germany by specialist car builder Karmann.And that guarantees Crossfire is turned out with sky-high build quality.From a dynamic viewpoint, the presence of Mercedes mechanicals and chassis assures the car goes quickly and handles impeccably.The car goes from zero to 100km in a quick 6.5 seconds on its way to a claimed top speed of 242km/h. Crossfire is available with either six-speed manual or five-speed adaptive automatic – both priced at $69,990.The test car ran Merc's auto box, which means sequential gear changes are made with a nudge to the left and right, rather than the more conventional front and rear employed by other brands.Having experienced – and enjoyed – the Mercedes configuration in so many of its cars, Crossfire's east-west auto shift operation held no mysteries.Similarly, the punch from Merc's 160kW 3.2-litre engine has been savoured many times in the past, and feels and sounds like it is working in a machine bearing a silver star.The all-aluminium 18-valve unit is highly responsive and with an all-up weight of under 1400kg to haul around, the good power-to-weight ratio results in highly responsive acceleration.With a Mercedes-worked suspension keeping the body nicely in check, it is not surprising Crossfire handles extremely well.The car comes with electronic stability program (ESP), the dynamic stability system which has proved so successful on a number of European performance cars. The system takes road safety to a new level, cutting in and out without input from the driver when cornering forces threaten to generate understeer or oversteer.Coupled with anti-lock brakes and brake assist system, ESP ensures Crossfire never gets crossed up.Cornering grip is also enhanced by evenly balanced weight distribution and independent front and rear suspension.The chassis has sufficient travel to provide superior ride quality while geometry is designed to control body movement during spirited cornering. If the car were to be judged on dynamics alone, marks would be very high indeed.But while sports coupe buyers place great emphasis on pure driving pleasure, looks do play a significant part in any evaluation.Crossfire's profile is sound enough – powerful shoulders, heavy wedge side profile, long bonnet and sweeping beltline all combine for winning looks.The rear end is nicely rounded around the C-pillar for an unusual – but not unattractive – boot line which is an extension of the roof radius. Chrysler's new face is appealing and the air vents rearward of the front wheels work well.But there are just too many bends in the metalwork for the total package for work for this writer.The rib work pressed longitudinally along the bonnet is altogether far too busy.In the cabin, the centre console is painted in bright silver, which is more like an arcade game.And the less said the better about the seats, which provide little in the way of support.While the car has to be considered a genuine performance vehicle, the rear spoiler which deploys automatically when the car's speed rises above 90km/h has to be considered as bit excessive.A car has to be travelling well in excess of 90km/h before wings and things begin to impact on downforce.So while a certain section of buyers may be impressed by toys on their cars, this writer prefers cars to be pure in design and spirit – and definitely gimmick-free zones.Chrysler has been a bit of a drain and a strain on Mercedes-Benz since the amalgamation of the two car giants.But DC claims the American arm of the world's fourth largest car maker has a host of new products in the pipeline.It really is hard to be negative about a car like Crossfire, which is designed to appeal only to a niche market – roughly 200 a year in Australia.But it comes down to what works for the Americans does not necessarily make friends and influence buyers in Australia.Remember Pontiac demanded changes to our Monaro beyond branding changes, which illustrates the differing tastes. So far, Chrysler has sold 85 examples of Crossfire but it will be interesting to see how the monthly demand levels out following the fulfilment of the initial demand.In sum, great mechanicals, questionable styling.

Of the cars that have been through our garage, the Crossfire has attracted the most attention – edging out Holden's panel van and Smart's funky roadster."Does it go as good as it looks?" and "How much?" were common phrases exchanged in raised voices at intersections.I felt like making a sign, it would have been easier.Others were seen to stop in car parks to have a good look, pressing their noses up against the glass before standing back to take in the car's styling.So it has incredible street cred but does it have the performance and handling to match?If the Crossfire could talk, it would say "I wish I was a V8".Not that the 3.2-litre V6 doesn't drive those rear wheels – it does – but for a car with such appeal on the outside and a bonnet big enough to get a V8 underneath it, the bigger engine would be a nice option.Bigger exhausts would do the car justice as the pea shooters surrounded by the nice big chrome tipped pipes create a muffled noise, not the throaty sound you would expect from a sports car.The manual is the better box to choose. The clutch is a little heavy and the box a bit sloppy but the ability to rev the engine is a plus not enjoyed in the automatic, even with the tiptronic-style shifter.The six-speed box makes the most of the 160kW (at 5700rpm) and the 310Nm (at 3000rpm).The Crossfire tested had a track debut at Oran Park. No, not as a race car – it was used in the second stage of the Jim Murcott Advanced Driving Course.The Crossfire stops well but under heavy braking above 80km/h the test car pulled to the left and had a shudder through the wheel.In the understeer/oversteer tests at the track the Crossfire proved how stable it was. Despite traction control being off it was difficult to make it move off-line.Vision is a problem. The back window is narrow and rear quarter vision is poor.The Crossfire is built on the Mercedes Benz SLK platform and the Benz influence is felt throughout the interior. The leather even has the same smell.The low roof, high door sills and dark matt finish make for a cosy interior but there is still a reasonable amount of room.The glovebox is surprisingly large and the centre console bin hides the phone, wallet and keys away. Finally, a sports car with a decent boot. It is large enough to fit a trolley-load of shopping (without any riding shotgun) and an average suitcase.The chrome finish on the centre dash area is striking. The leather seats are hard but comfortable.The cup holder is clumsy to use, is in the wrong position and there is only one.There was noticeable creaking from around the door trims when the car flexed under stress and over rough roads.The Crossfire is nicely priced at $69,990 for both auto and manual, and competes directly in money terms with Nissan's 350Z.But, as far as street cred goes, there is no competition.Want to be noticed but can't quite afford a Ferrari or a Lamborghini? Then go cruising a Chrysler Crossfire. It gets attention wherever it goes.