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Nargess
Shahmanesh-Banks test drives the Chrysler Crossfire Roadster
"The Crossfire Roadster is a drop-top that will drop jaws,"
said Trevor Creed, design boss at Chrysler at the time of its launch;
and he couldn't be more right. The car, now in its second year, has not
only not dated, but seems to have the same impact on the public as when
it first hit the road in June 2004.
The Chrysler Crossfire
Roadster feels American without being overtly so |
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There is something distinctively American about the Crossfire, and the
Roadster variant seems to further conjure up the image of cruising across
a vast American landscape. Yet at the same time it befits the notion that
this is a well-engineered vehicle, mainly because of its connection with
Mercedes-Benz.
The design isn't whole-heartedly American; rather it is the general impression
and small style-touches that prove so emotive. The car’s body is
muscular, more like a runner. And like the coupé, the car sports
a 'boat-like' rear design which really shows off its 19-inch wheels. A
rectangular spoiler has been designed into the rear of the car that activates
when you accelerate to 100 km/h. This generates downforce, thus increasing
rear tyre grip on the road surface which helps with vehicle stability.
Like most roadsters, the Crossfire feels a little cagy with the roof down,
but in just 22 seconds, a fully retractable roof reveals a pleasant, open
driving space.
Under the bonnet lies a 3.2-litre V6, generating 160 kW of power and 310
Nm (229 lb ft) of torque. The all-aluminium 18-valve engine is light at
140 kg. The V6 has been designed to deliver over 90 per cent of maximum
torque from 2,600 to 5,300 rpm, and 98 per cent from 3,000 to 4,500 rpm.
The car, as you might expect, is fast, accelerating to 100 km in only
6.5 seconds and boasting a top speed of 150 mph.
To complete the package, a hand-built 3.2-litre supercharged V6 engine,
boasting 246 kW and 420 Nm (310 lb ft) of torque, powers the ultimate
Crossfire Roadster, taking the SRT-6 (which stands for street and racing
technology) to 100 km in just over 5 seconds. This version was launched
in April this year.
Creed went on to explain: "Sometimes when you take off the roof of
a car to create a convertible, the end result isn't what you expect. In
the case of the Crossfire Roadster, that's not true. It is just as handsome,
if not more dashing, than the coupé." Again, he couldn't be
more right.
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July 2005
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