Chrysler Crossfire

The Chrysler Crossfire is a sports car marketed by Chrysler and manufactured by Karmann of Germany for the 2004 through 2008 model years.

Developed during the period when Chrysler and Mercedes Benz had merged, known as Daimler Chrysler, the two-seater uses the Mercedes-Benz R170 platform and shares 80% of its components with the first generation SLK. The second generation SLK was built on the R171 platform with model year 2005; the R170 platform was essentially handed down to Chrysler for the Crossfire. Having initially arrived in 2001 as a concept car styled by Eric Stoddard, the Chrysler was further refined by Andrew Dyson before production began in 2003 for 2004 model year sales.

Design

The name "Crossfire" refers to two character lines that run from front to rear along the body sides, prominently crossing below the mirrors on the door panels. Conceived during the period of Daimler Chrysler, the name also refers to the collaboration of the two companies.

The Chrysler Crossfire concept car was introduced at the 2001 North American International Auto Show and the production version was unveiled at the 2002 Los Angeles Auto Show as a 2004 model "is as faithful a translation from concept to production as any in recent memory." The concept car was designed "to evoke a strong, passionate, emotional response. We had to retain that. We want to polarize our audience—we want people to love it or hate it."

Conceived as a two-seat halo car for the Chrysler brand, the marketing objective was also to make use of available components using a two-seat roadster chassis. The production car shares about 39% of its parts with Mercedes-Benz vehicles and Chrysler dealers were required to invest in special equipment, tools, and parts to be able to market the new luxury model. The rear-wheel-drive Crossfire coupe styling objective was for a "unique, almost sculptural" design.

The Crossfire 's styling includes a wide stance with 19-inch rear wheels and 18-inch front wheels. Automotive journalists compared the Crossfire to American Motors' 1965–1967 AMC Marlin. Noted journalist, Paul Leinert said the "distinctive boat-tail rear end reminds more than one observer of the old Rambler 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." ''Motor Trend'' also compared the "provocative boattail theme" of the 2004 Crossfire's sheetmetal to that of the AMC Marlin fastback. The Crossfire's tail is "formed as the edges of the roof converge into a kind of teardrop shape, leaving the rear fenders to flare out over the rear wheels."

Chrysler said the Crossfire took inspiration from the 1930s art deco period and buildings such as the Chrysler Building. Motor Trend cites vehicle influences from 1930s including Bugattis and the Talbot Lago. Chrysler wanted to once again offer a performance coupe reminiscent of the luxury reputation they enjoyed during the late 1950s to mid-1960s with the Chrysler 300 letter series coupes and convertibles.

Mechanical design

Chrysler executed the interior and exterior styling. All other elements of the car such as wheelbase, track, engine, transmission, chassis structure, suspension components, are shared with the R170 platform. For example, the engine bay of the Crossfire is virtually identical to the Mercedes-Benz SLK320 on the R170 platform. The seats from the Mercedes-Benz SLK320 would bolt directly into the Crossfire chassis. The dashboard layout, controls, and instruments are also similar to those on the Mercedes-Benz SLK320.

The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual with an optional 5-speed automatic. Base (standard) and Limited models, originally offered beginning in the 2004 model year, were equipped with a Mercedes-Benz M112 3.2 L, 18-valve, SOHC V6 engine that was rated by Chrysler at and of torque.

The SRT-6 models were equipped with a supercharged version of the M112 engine built by Mercedes' performance branch, AMG. The SRT-6 models came only with the 5-speed automatic transmission, consistent with AMG cars of the same era. The 6-speed transmission used by the Chrysler Crossfire is a variant of the Mercedes sourced NSG-370. The 5-speed automatic transmission in the Crossfire (known as 5G-Tronic) is also Mercedes-sourced and a variant of the 722.6 family. The automatic transmission-equipped Crossfires achieve a better EPA fuel efficiency rating over the 6MT, mostly due to the difference in gear ratios.

The Crossfire uses the recirculating ball steering system from the R170 platform. Front suspension is unequal length (SLA) double wishbone suspension with 5 point multi-link in the rear. As with the concept car, all Crossfire models used two different wheel sizes measuring 18x7.5-inch on the front and 19x9-inch on the rear. Standard all-season tires were 225/40R18 on the front and 255/35R19 on the rear.

The first production Crossfire was assembled on 3 February 2003, and driven off the production line by Chrysler Group's COO Wolfgang Bernhard in Germany.

Equipment

The Chrysler Crossfire's standard features included large alloy wheels with performance-rated tires, a Becker–sourced AM/FM stereo with anti-theft system and a single-disc CD player, keyless entry with security alarm, a power-retractable rear wing spoiler, leather-trimmed seating surfaces, dual power front sports bucket seats, full instrumentation, a 3.2 L V6 engine with a manual transmission, rear-wheel-drive (RWD), a leather-wrapped and stitched steering wheel, a power-retractable cloth convertible roof (for convertible models), front floor mats, and air conditioning.

Optional features included an automatic transmission, a six-speaker premium Infinity sound system with two "subwoofers" mounted directly behind each seat, a CD-based GPS navigational system, exterior paint colors, and additional interior color choices.

Sales and production numbers

The original contract with Karmann to build the Crossfire was for about five years with an annual sales target of 20,000 units in the United States. Sales of the Crossfire were slow, with an average 230-day supply of the vehicles during November 2005. A small number of Crossfires were imported to the United States and Mexico in 2006 (and almost all of these were roadsters).

Chrysler discontinued the Crossfire after the 2008 model year, as part of its restructuring plans. The last Crossfire was assembled on 17 December 2007.

:''Notes:''
: LHD = Left hand drive (steering wheel on the left side)
: RHD = Right hand drive (steering wheel on the right side)
: Crossfire Coupe and Crossfire Roadster refer to the "Base" model

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

Models

Base and Limited

For model year 2004, only the coupe was offered in a single trim level, equipped similarly to the following year's Limited model.

For model year 2005 model year; Coupe and Roadster configurations were available, each with three ascending trim levels: Base, Limited, and SRT-6 (supercharged). Base Crossfires, Coupe or Roadster, featured matte black painted windshield frames, black filler plugs (in place of fog lights) in the front fascia, and fabric seats with separate, movable headrests. Limited and SRT-6 models, both Coupe and Roadster, all featured silver-painted windshield frames and are equipped with fog lights. The Limited trim level featured leather upholstery. The SRT-6 model offered leather/Alcantara upholstery. All Base and Limited Crossfire models included an electronic rear wing that would automatically deploy at about 65 mph and descend at 45 mph. A manual override switch raised or lowered the spoiler at any speed.

For model years 2006-2007, an SE Roadster model (essentially a base model) was offered in Blaze Red Crystal Pearl and with black accented 15-spoke SRT-6 style wheels.

SRT-6

The SRT-6 trim level, available as a coupe and convertible, featured a Mercedes-Benz AMG M112 3.2 L V6 supercharged engine delivering and of torque. Other SRT-6 model-specific features included suspension and brake modifications, a front fascia air dam, and a fixed rear spoiler. The SRT-6 used the same drivetrain, suspension, and braking components as those used on the Mercedes-Benz SLK 32 AMG. The standard tires were upgraded to Z-rated Michelin Pilot Sports, sized 225/40R18 on the front and 255/35R19s in the back. The SRT-6 cars did not feature the electronic wing that the Base and Standard cars featured.

For model year 2006, the SRT-6 was special order only.

Safety

NHTSA crash test ratings (2004 and 2007, Coupe):

* Frontal Crash Test – Driver:
* Frontal Crash Test – Passenger:
* Side Impact Rating – Driver:
* Rollover Rating: 9.5%

Notes

References

*
*
*
*
*

External links

Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 website
*
*

{{Chrysler

Crossfire
Roadsters
Coupés
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
Retro-style automobiles
Cars introduced in 2003
Cars discontinued in 2007
Karmann vehicles
Sports cars