Chrysler Crossfire

Chrysler Crossfire

Manufacturer	Chrysler (2004-07) Chrysler LLC (2007)
Production	2004-2007
Assembly	Osnabrück, Germany
Class	Sports car
Body style(s)	2-door convertible 2-door coupe
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Chrysler ZH Mercedes-Benz R170
Engine(s)	3.2L M112 E32 (195 cu in), 215 hp (160 kW) V6[1] 3.2L AMG M112 E32(195 cu in) SC 330 hp (246 kW) V6 [2]
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Wheelbase	94.5 in (2,400 mm)
Length	159.8 in (4,059 mm)
Width	69.5 in (1,765 mm)
Height	51.5 in (1,308 mm) (coupe) 51.8 in (1,316 mm) (roadster)
Fuel capacity	15.9 US gal (60 L; 13 imp gal)
Related	Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
Designer	Eric Stoddard

The Chrysler Crossfire is a rear-wheel drive sports car marketed by Chrysler as both coupé and roadster and built for Chrysler by Karmann of Germany.

Design

Side view with the "Crossfire" character line.

The two-seater arrived in 2001 as a concept car designed by Eric Stoddard^[3] with further refinement by Andrew Dyson^[4] before beginning production in 2003.

The Crossfire's fastback roof and broad rear fenders made for a rear end design that prompted automotive journalists to describe the new car's resemblance to American Motor's 1965-1967 Marlin. For example, Rob Rothwell wrote ...when I first espied the rear lines of the Chrysler Crossfire I was instantly transported back to 1965 and my favorite car of that year, the Rambler Marlin.^[5]

The name Crossfire refers to the two character lines that run from front to rear along the body sides — crossing each other midway through the door panel. Conceived during the period of Chrysler's ownership by Daimler-Benz, the name also refers to the collaboration of the two companies.

Construction and features

The Crossfire shares 40% ^[6] of its components with other Mercedes-Benz models. The engine bay of the Crossfire is virtually identical to the Mercedes-Benz SLK320 on the R170 platform. This engine bay has now been proven capable of housing Mercedes V8 engines, which increases the car's performance to an overwhelming level. The wheelbase and track width are also identical to the SLK320. The seats from the SLK320 bolt directly into the Crossfire chassis.

The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual with an optional 5-speed automatic. Base (Standard) and Limited models, originally sold beginning in the 2004 model year, are equipped with a 3.2 L, 18-valve, SOHC V6 engine which produces 215 hp (160 kW) and 229 lb·ft (310 N·m) of torque.

The 6-speed transmission on the Chrysler Crossfire is a variant of the NSG-370.^[7] The automatic transmission on the Crossfire achieves a better EPA fuel efficiency rating over the 6MT, mostly due to the difference in gear ratios.

Sales

2006 Crossfire Convertible.

The sales of the Crossfire have been slow, with an average 230 day supply of the vehicles as of November 2005. In December, the cars were listed on Overstock.com to clear out inventory. Very few Crossfires were imported to the United States and Mexico for 2006 (and almost all of these were roadsters).^[8]

On November 1, 2007, Chrysler announced that, as part of its restructuring plans, the Chrysler Crossfire would be one of four models discontinued after the 2008 model year.^[9]

The last Crossfire rolled off of the assembly line on December 17, 2007.

Note: Cars produced in one calendar year may be marketed as the following model year.

Community

The Chrysler Crossfire has taken on an almost ^{[12][unreliable source?]} cult following. There are monthly local meetings, and yearly national meetings of the Crossfire International Car Club Incorporated (CICCI) with the largest meets drawing over 100 cars. This puts the Crossfire in the top 5 car clubs in the United States.^{[citation needed]} The club, dedicated to the Crossfire and their owners, was founded in 2008, boasts over 200 national and international members and was recognized in 2008 at the All-Chrysler Nationals, Carlisle, Pennsylvania as one of the fastest growing car clubs in attendance.

Models

For the first model year (2004), only the coupe was offered (with no "trim" levels), equipped quite similarly to the next year's "limited" model. In model year 2005, there were six variants available; Coupe and Roadster, each with three trim levels: Base (with fewer amenities), Limited, and SRT-6 (supercharged).

SRT-6

2005 Crossfire SRT-6 Coupe in Aero Blue.

The SRT-6 trim level, as both coupe and convertible, featured the supercharged engine delivering 330 hp (246 kW) and 310 lb·ft (420 N·m) of torque.^[2] Differentiating features included suspension and brake modifications, front spoiler, fixed vs. retractable rear spoiler and available navigation system.

In 2006, the SRT-6 was changed to special order only and the Base trim level was renamed to Standard.

References

Inline

General

• "2004 Crossfire SRT-6 Packs Punch". Motor Trend (May, 2004): 30. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chrysler Crossfire

• www.crossfireinternational.com
• www.ukcrossfires.co.uk
• Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 - Road Tests
• Crossfire on allpar.com
• Review: 2004 Chrysler Crossfire (Retrieved on 2006-11-29)