2004 Chrysler Crossfire Test Drive

This strikingly-new Chrysler Crossfire symbolizes the merger of the quintessentially American Chrysler Corporation with the distinctly German Daimler-Benz. It offers great sports car performance, striking good looks and limited luggage space. Price US: $34,495. Warranty: 3yr./36,000 mi. bumper-to-bumper, 7yr./70,000 mi. powertrain.

The Crossfire was introduced as a concept car at the 2001 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It was a huge hit. From concept to reality took less than two years. A production version was shown at the LA International Auto Show in Jan 2003. Daimler Benz says the Crossfire is where "Route 66 meets the Autobahn." It's the first car to come out of Daimler-Benz' takeover (oops, sorry... merger) of/with Chrysler. Indeed, about 40% of this sporty 2-seater (mostly the drive bits) comes from Mercedes. The company calls the Crossfire an important milestone both for the Chrysler Group and for DaimlerChrysler itself. It intends to use the limited-production Crossfire to demonstrate how the Chrysler Group can leverage the brand up-market using world-class Mercedes products and processes. The real purpose of this exercise, of course, may be to persuade the North American car buyer that the new made-in-Canada Chrysler 300 sedan is really a bargain-priced Mercedes E-class. Which is going to take some convincing.

Regardless of the marketing games, Crossfire is a real attention-getter. I'd put it in the same category as the PT Cruiser or the new Beetle when they first came out. A curious blend of American functionality and continental style, it was introduced in April 2003 as a 2004 model. The Crossfire is a genuine two-seater; there's not even a vestigial rear seat. The narrow rear hatch opens onto a reasonably large space behind the front seats. This will accommodate a couple of moderate-size suitcases. Don't try to carry your PGA bag back there; you won't get the hatch closed. Although the Crossfire features a modified boat-tail back end (which has traditionally been associated with classic American cars of the 30's), it looks a lot like a Mercedes-Benz from almost every angle. The side panel vents could have been lifted directly from the latest SL500. (Observant readers will note the Crossfire's vents have three slats while the SL500's have two). The long slotted hood reminds one of the Muskoka-built Greavette runabouts from the 30's, even of Chrysler's streamlined Airflow sedan from that era. Huge P255/35ZR19 rears combined with smaller P225/35ZR18 front tires underline the Crossfire's quasi-Teutonic purposefulness.

The rear-drive Crossfire features one of the stiffest chassis available on any road car built anywhere. Which is a good thing. It means not only that this 3,100 lb car handles predictably on rough and twisty roads but, more importantly, you still get a comfortable ride. This stubby little guy skips over a washboard road like Alberto Tomba through a mogul field. The suspension's working like crazy but there's little-or-no upper body motion. The drivetrain, including the wonderful 3.2L V-6, developing 215 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque, is also used in Mercedes' SLK 320, the smaller two-seater, the one with the neat folding metal roof. It propels the Crossfire with the force of an engine half-again as large. This thing really flies! Combined with the (Mercedes) 6-speed manual, the Crossfire's a hoot to drive hard. However, I found the 6-speed tranny somewhat notchy. It needs a firm hand. Not a problem in serious driving, but it can be a bit of a chore in stop-and-go traffic. Chrysler's 5-speed AutoStick automatic would be a good choice if much of your driving involves rush-hour commutes. Electronic stability control, traction control, and huge vented disc brakes are all standard equipment.

Forget this one if you're an American family with 2.1 kids that really "needs" a truck. The Crossfire is for drivers. Forget it too if you crave anonymity. The mostly-German-built Crossfire's a magnet for attention. Just after I first picked it up, I stopped in front of the big Honda store in North Vancouver and got out to check something on the lot. When I returned a couple of minutes later, there were two women from Honda admiring the Crossfire. I asked them what they liked most about it. They said, "It looks like a Mercedes." Even though fewer than 20,000 will be built this year, the Crossfire will be a halo vehicle for DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group. I say that if this is the kind of product we can expect from Chrysler from now on, the company is on its way back. The Crossfire is also being sold in markets where you see few if any American-badged cars; Poland, for example. For several months now, a silver Crossfire has been on display in front of the 5-star Hotel Victoria in Central Warsaw. It's still drawing admiring looks. Incidentally, if the coupe's not your cuppa, check out the convertible. It's here now and even more gorgeous.