2005 Chrysler Crossfire Review

Specifications

A New Lower Price and Mega Power Spice Up Chryslers Sports Car

Chrysler has always been an innovator. It introduced 4-wheel hydraulic brakes, standard all-steel bodies, rubber engine mounts to stop vibration, electronic ignition, on-board computers, AC alternators instead of DC generators, necessary to keep the electrical current flowing even at idle, mass produced unit bodies that were designed by use of computers, and much more.

And now, due to its unique relationship with the original innovator, Mercedes-Benz, that continues to be one of Europes most respected brands, the winged badge commands a respect over its domestic peers. The Crossfire might be the ultimate expression of this symbiotic union, and it stands out in a crowd of sameness with elegant yet dynamic styling.

Its impressively constructed too, owed much to its Mercedes-Benz SLK roots. Actually, almost forty percent of the car directly descends from the German roadster, including its 3.2-L engine, 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick manual-mode, steering column, much of the cars interior and its chassis components.

Such information makes the specially packaged 2005 model base-priced at a mere $29,920 even more spectacular. The entry-level Crossfire nixes a few cosmetic details, such as leather seats, silver finished exterior accents, and fog lamps, but all the high-quality interior appointments, entertaining performance and art deco meets techno styling is carried over.

The example presented to the media in Laguna Beach, California earlier this week was finished in black, with what was previously a silver windshield surround and bright metal side strakes now monochromatic. Its a stylish package that received a positive response from the majority in attendance.

The cloth seats are nicely constructed of durable looking, sporty fabric, offering an improvement in grip over smooth leather surfaces. The center stack is still finished in a bright metal surface treatment, giving the interior an upscale appearance.

Most importantly, the de-contented Crossfire Coupe features the same 18-inch front and 19-inch rear alloy wheel and tire package, as well as all the performance tuning that comes as stock in the more expensive version.

Chrysler is taking an aggressive stance, dropping the price of the premium coupe close to $4,000 below the current 2004 models $33,620 entry price - the current car will continue forward into 2005 at the slightly higher price of $34,620 with the new Limited Coupe designation.

The new price point makes the Chrysler sports car slightly more than the $26,370 Nissan 350Z coupe and then again much less expensive than the $33,250 Audi TT coupe, the Crossfire Coupes two closest rivals.

While the 350Z offers the performance benefits of a 287-hp 3.5-L V6, the Crossfire delivers superior levels of refinement near equal to the Audi TT. But where the base TT only offers a 180-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine driving the front wheels through a manual-mode automatic transmission, the Crossfire delivers 215-hp and 229 lb-ft of torque through either a standard 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic with manual mode, driving the rear wheels.

The announcement came during the introduction of the new Crossfire Roadster, a natural fit into the Crossfire lineup. The car features a power actuated cloth top that stows under a sculpted hard tonneau cover in a mere 22 seconds, looking as good up as it does down. A rigid chassis reportedly maintains the cars superb handling characteristics, while eradicating body flex and cowl shake.

The Crossfire Roadster will be available in the de-contented trim level too, at $34,960, and as a Limited model, almost fully loaded at $38,920. The optional 5-speed automatic with AutoStick manual-mode as applied to the Limited will be priced at $39,995. The only option for either model will be a navigation system at $1,200.

The Crossfire Roadsters price point undercuts most competitive roadsters by a wide margin, with only Hondas racecar-like S2000 available for slightly less, at $32,800. Nissans 350Z roadster is priced at $33,850, but the addition of an 18-inch alloy wheel and tire package (remember the Crossfire comes standard with 18-inch front and 19-inch rear) plus a few other options that come standard on the Crossfire pump up the Z350 Roadster price to $35,540 - slightly more than Chryslers roadster.

The Audi TT roadster starts out for slightly less than the 350Z roadster at $35,250, but if equipped with similar power begins at $39,500. Add on its options, some of which include a navigation system and 18-inch wheels and tires which are standard on the Crossfire Roadster (actually the Crossfire features 19-inch rims standard in the rear, with the tires 225/40ZR18 up front and 255/35ZR19 at back), and the price jumps up substantially, still with a 4-cylinder engine. Add in the V6, slightly more powerful than the Crossfires, and the price ranges from a base $42,900 to a stratospheric $49,458 - ouch! And that from a car derived from Volkswagens most basic Golf architecture - remember, the Crossfire has been created from Mercedes-Benz components.

In case the Crossfire Roadsters price point makes it appear starkly equipped compared to its competitors, a quick look at the standard features list puts the question to rest. Standard amenities include a power convertible fabric top, fully powered hard tonneau, power windows, speed (cruise) control, premium sound system with subwoofers and 240-watt amplifier, heated leather power seats, dual-zone temperature control, speed-activated rear spoiler, four-wheel anti-lock brakes with brake assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), all-speed traction control, tire pressure monitoring system, heated mirrors, fog lamps, a universal garage door opener, and fitted touring gear luggage.

Thats right, Chrysler even includes a three-piece luggage set that boasts design elements of the car integrated into its design. The largest bag features five “speed lines” stitched into its front fabric panel just below an embossed Crossfire logo and a winged Chrysler nameplate, while the wheels are miniature 7-spoke alloy rims on black tire-like rubber. Even the zipper pulls are designed to look like the Crossfires side strakes. While the luggage is standard, Chrysler offers a stylish humidor that fits neatly into the center console. The automaker reports more Crossfire branded merchandise is on the way.

The 2005 Roadster can be ordered in seven colors, including Classic Yellow, Aero Blue, Alabaster, Black, Blaze Red, Graphite Metallic and Sapphire Silver Blue. Interior colors schemes include Dark Slate Grey, Dark Slate Grey and Vanilla two-tone, Dark Slate Grey and Cedar two-tone, and Dark Slate Grey and Medium Slate Grey two-tone.

Options and colors aside, more roadster rivals compete directly with the convertible Crossfire than the coupe, but Chryslers premium Roadster still is priced to undercut the competition. The list includes BMWs $33,600 to $51,300 Z4, and Porsches $42,600 to $67,870 Boxster. Not to forget the Crossfires kissing cousin Mercedes-Benz SLK, it starts at $39,600 and ends up at $64,725 in 349-hp SLK32 AMG trim.

Does that SLK32 AMG horsepower sound enticing? Chrysler thought so too. New for 2005 will also be a new SRT6 Crossfire, featuring a hand-built supercharged 330-hp 3.2-liter V6 engine mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick manual mode, good for sub-five second runs to 60 mph.

Added to the SRT6 performance upgrades are exclusive 15-spoke, 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels wrapped in Z-rated all-season tires. The suspension has been tweaked to improve handling, while the upgraded brakes allow 110.9 foot stops from 62 mph (100 km/h). The SRT6 also gets “performance-themed” exterior design elements such as a new fixed decklid spoiler, while some race-inspired trim has been added inside.

The SRT6 package is available on both coupe and roadster configurations, starting with $45,695 for the former and $49,995 for the latter. The sportiest Crossfire will be available in four exterior colors, including Aero Blue, Black, Graphite Metallic and Sapphire Silver Blue.

Added to the price of the SRT6, and all Crossfire models, is an $875 destination charge.

Chryslers 2005 Crossfire models will begin arriving in dealership showrooms this summer, with SRT coupes and roadsters to follow in the fall.