04 May 04
A bit of Americana is no bad thing as far as I'm concerned. I wear cowboy boots. I own more than a few Johnny Cash albums, and I prefer Jack Daniels or a good bourbon to a fine Scotch malt. Chrysler's Crossfire coupe, however, has yet to convince me that it's more than a cheap version of the last-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK, complete with somewhat kitsch America-by-numbers styling. Just as adding pedal-steel guitar to a standard generic rock or pop tune does not necessarily make it a country record, reworking a few classic Chrysler design cues does not necessarily create a modern-day icon. If the Crossfire coupe were a musician, it would be more like Garth Brooks than Hank Williams.
OK, that's a bit unfair. With its German underpinnings and rear-wheel-drive chassis, courtesy of the controversial Daimler-Benz/Chrysler takeover (sorry, alliance), the Crossfire is a thoroughly decent drive, if not a class-leader. The Mercedes-sourced 3.2 V6 engine (218bhp, 229lb ft of torque) is refined and smooth, with ample power to cruise in comfort. As shared platforms go, the Crossfire has a good one, even if it's not as state-of-the-art as the all-new SLK's.
This new Roadster - to go on sale in the UK in June - was developed alongside the earlier coupe, and besides a bit of extra stiffening and strengthening to its floorpan, has much in common with the hard-top. Weighing just 80lbs (36kg) more, it is capable of a good 150mph and 0-60mph acceleration in 6.5 seconds. Well, equipped, it comes with six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, a limited-slip differential, ABS, ESP and traction control, a speed-sensitive rear spoiler which lifts at 62mph (100kmph) and twin centre-mounted exhausts. Final spec and pricing hasn't been confirmed for the UK yet, but we can expect it to cost a good £1500 over equivalent coupe models. It won't be cheap by American standards - the right-hand drive premium on the Crossfire is pretty hefty - but it should undercut the Audi TT, Porsche Boxster, BMW Z4 and of course, the new Merc SLK, and go head to head with the upcoming Nissan 350Z convertible.
