Chrysler Crossfire (2003-) Review

On the road

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You sit low and snug, but it's easy to gauge where the long bonnet ends. Reversing is trickier because the coupe's rear window is small and narrow and you have to remember the broad, sight-blocking haunches either side when lane-changing; rearward vision roof-up in the convertible is predictably poor. Switchgear is logical and easy to use, but the Mercedes-sourced steering-column stalk is overburdened with both lighting and screen-cleansing functions. This Mercedes-derived car does have a proper handbrake, however, unlike most other Mercedes (SLK and A-Class excepted). Very early Crossfires, not sold in the UK, had poor gearchanges, but substantial improvements have made the six-speeder easier to manipulate. The five-speed auto is straightforward to use, sideways movement of the gearlever allowing quick changes up or down the 'box. Some may consider the steering wheel a bit big.

The Crossfire is an enjoyable drive, but keen drivers will be disappointed by its lack of steering feel and the numbly mechanical manner in which it corners. Those huge tyres provide masses of grip - in the dry at least - but unless you're going faster than is wise, the Chrysler corners like a high speed train. It telegraphs little information about the physical forces involved, but it is effective. It's very unusual for a modern car in having a less precise steering box system instead of a rack and pinion set-up, but the steering is smooth, accurate and well-weighted, even if it doesn't provide a great deal of feedback. Just a hint of slowness in its response either side of the straight-ahead position betrays the type of system it uses. The rigid bodyshell of the coupe is one of the main reasons why the Crossfire feels crisper and more engaging than the (old) SLK on which it is based, but the convertible is a floppier affair and not immune to scuttle shake. It's not as entertaining as the Nissan 350Z, the Mazda RX-8 - or the latest SLK. The upcoming hot SRT-6 version sounds promising, however, as this will be a thoroughly-tuned, modified muscle car variant.

The figures for the manual version are 150mph and 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds: quick enough for a good time. More useful, though, is the way the engine pulls keenly and creamily right through its rev range, with meaningful acceleration even in sixth gear. This Mercedes V6 isn't always a paragon of smoothness and response in some cars, but in the Crossfire it's at its best. At its most melodic, too: it blips with a bark, and revs with a crisp, resonant edge that gives off sporty vibes without ever becoming too loud. Manual transmission makes the most of the motor's ability; the five-speed auto shifts smoothly to make a decent alternative for comfort-seekers, but it is rather slow on the uptake and gives the Crossfire a more laid-back feel. It has the usual Mercedes left-right for up-down sequential manual override, plus the same feature as found in an AMG Mercedes: hold the selector in the downchange position for a couple of seconds, and it automatically selects the gear that will give the best overtaking performance from the current speed. As for names, Mercedes's Sequentronic gives way here to AutoStick.