RE: Chrysler Crossfire Convertible
RE: Chrysler Crossfire Convertible
Thursday 27th May 2004

Chrysler Crossfire Convertible

Chrysler set to rock the convertible segment to its very core... or perhaps not


It's less than a year since the Crossfire arrived in the UK and now Chrysler are introducing a convertible version just in time for summer.

The UK press have given the Crossfire a bit of a slating and it remains a rare sight on the roads thanks to that.

The new drop top may enjoy a bit more success. It's fitted with a 3.2 litre V6, seats, a radio and all other items that you'd associate with a car. Prices start at £27,995.

"The new Chrysler Crossfire Roadster is an absolutely stunning car and captures the spirit of the Crossfire coupe ," chirped Simon Elliott, Managing Director for Chrysler Group in the UK. He also harped: "The Roadster, with its great looks and performance – top up or down - will present a formidable challenge to its competitors in one of most hotly contested convertible segments in the world ."

Author
Discussion

HughGabriel

Original Poster:

3,694 posts

263 months

Thursday 27th May 2004
quotequote all
Im first ... I think it looks better than the coupe, but that isnt saying much.

sybaseian

1,826 posts

297 months

Thursday 27th May 2004
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Love the cartoon of a Dog......

shame about the car.

gemini

11,352 posts

286 months

Thursday 27th May 2004
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Is the dog bit the comment about it looking like a dog shitting?

John Nowak

108 posts

266 months

Thursday 27th May 2004
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Put a properly smooth hood on it (or bonnet, whatever you crazies over there say), and give it 300hp. Then it might not be so bad. No reason that thing shouldn't have an American V8 under there. It's hopelessly underpowered.

>> Edited by John Nowak on Thursday 27th May 19:37

sublimatica

3,210 posts

276 months

Thursday 27th May 2004
quotequote all
So what's so wrong with it? I just realised I saw the coupe for the first time a few weeks ago - thought it was a dealer demonstrator or something. Never seen one before or since.

J_S_G

6,177 posts

272 months

Thursday 27th May 2004
quotequote all
article said:
It's fitted with a 3.2 litre V6, seats, a radio and all other items that you'd associate with a car

Genius.

Haven't seen many on the road myself, and there's a dealership round the corner from me! I did race one on a private stretch of the M62 a month or so back, though. It's a lot faster than people give it credit for. I considered changing down to fourth (or even third) to prove a point, but stuck in top from 70 upwards. Think he hit top speed at about 140-150, by which point I was going "substantially faster" than him, but it was certainly "making progress" and looked very stable. Was quite impressed.

I've just checked out Chrysler's site... from the front of the Crossfire section "Can inspiration combine beauty and intimidation?" Can you imagine trying to get away with calling a car intimidating in Britain now, and not have 3,000 "Irate, of Epping" complaining about death-wish driving?

ErnestM

11,621 posts

289 months

Friday 28th May 2004
quotequote all
John Nowak said:
Put a properly smooth hood on it (or bonnet, whatever you crazies over there say), and give it 300hp. Then it might not be so bad. No reason that thing shouldn't have an American V8 under there. It's hopelessly underpowered.

>> Edited by John Nowak on Thursday 27th May 19:37


OK...





Automobile Magazine said:
The Crossfire is the first Chrysler to join the SRT ranks, joining Dodge's Neon, Viper, and Ram. Like it's corporate brethren, the Crossfire is packed with more power. Motivation comes in the form of a 3.2-liter supercharged V-6 making 330 horsepower. Sound familiar? It should — this is the same engine found in AMG-badged Mercedes-Benz vehicles, although the SRT-6 makes do with nineteen fewer horsepower. Since the Crossfire is heavily based off of the Mercedes-Benz SLK, the powerplant is a natural fit, as is the five-speed automatic transmission. Slushbox notwithstanding, the SRT-6 will be good for 0-60 times in the low five second range.

Open-enthusiasts will be glad to know that the SRT-6 comes in both Coupe and Convertible form. The only major difference is slightly softer springs in the topless model, although the spings in both SRT-6 cars are about 50 percent stiffer than in the normal Crossfire.

Other items exclusive to the SRT-6 are a fixed rear spoiler, front chin spoiler, larger brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport tires on 15-spoke wheels, a 200 mph speedometer, and race-inspired seats. Expect the SRT-6 in dealerships in the second half of 2004.



ErnestM

Fatboy

8,248 posts

294 months

Friday 28th May 2004
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Still be better with a 5.8 hemi though

burriana500

16,556 posts

276 months

Friday 28th May 2004
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J_S_G said:

I did race one on a private stretch of the M62 a month or so back,


James... as ever... pure class


And IMHO, I like both the coupe and the rag top... though like I've said before, I also like the new Shelby Cobra so don't mind me.

dinkel

27,588 posts

280 months

Friday 28th May 2004
quotequote all
It's a 'perhaps not'

Saw a hardtopped CF and it looks just so tiny . . . As a cabrio it is a Miata grown up just partly . . . Dear Chrysler, leave the top on and try to shift towards Z350 territory.


davetherave1970

2,144 posts

268 months

Friday 28th May 2004
quotequote all
J_S_G said:
I did race one on a private stretch of the M62 a month or so back, though. It's a lot faster than people give it credit for.

Same here. More of a "private road" though
Quicker than I expected.

GCerbera

5,161 posts

273 months

Friday 28th May 2004
quotequote all
Finally saw my first Crossfire outside a showroom...at Silverstone. Doing some kind of trips around the car park?


Still plan to test drive one when I have time, but would be more interested
in the 2005 Crossfire SRT-6.