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James Chan

An American car with a German's heart for the streets

Cars that are a nightmare for the claustrophobic are usually attractive. The Audi TT, for example, is a stunning car with plenty of metal surfaces for designers to play with - but it is hardly spacious.

The Chrysler Crossfire is definitely this type of car and one I thought most would only get to see in magazines.

But thanks to parallel importer Richburg Motors, at least some Hong Kong motorists will experience this unusual-looking car without travelling abroad. And, if you have $559,000 to spare, you can buy it. There is only one in Hong Kong, though.

This American car has German features: it is a made by DaimlerChrysler and based on the SLK/C-Class platform. It uses a Mercedes-Benz V6 engine and is manufactured in Osnabruck,  Germany, by coachbuilder Karmann.

The 'American' in the car comes from the Chrysler-designed body and suspension tuning.

The Crossfire drives much like an old-generation SLK with the tight chassis feel of a closed coupe.

Apart from its driving feel, the interior should be familiar to Mercedes drivers. Switches and dials on the centre console are all Mercedes-sourced. It even sounds, shifts and handles like a Mercedes.

The Crossfire has an intimate interior with a high waistline and small windows - just like the TT. Behind the front seats is the bulkhead with a slit for luggage access.

The rear view is obstructed by the car's thick C-pillar and the rear window is unusually narrow.

The Audi TT teardrop-design with the fat part at the front is turned around. The driving position is towards the rear axle facing a long strip of bonnet.

I am not sure if people knew what the car was, but it turned heads wherever we drove it.

I believe this is what the Crossfire is all about - making a driver feel unique. The car is a potent performer and corners well. The Michelin Pilot SX tyres are fat and grippy.

The Look

The car is packed with interesting details. The central spine runs from the bonnet to the roof and down to the tailgate. There are bonnet strakes running parallel to the spine. The windscreen surround is satin-finish regardless of body colour, as are the door handles and the three bars across the side air vents.

The rear section has a distinctive art deco look. The tailgate narrows to a V. A spoiler above the rear emblem automatically rises at 100km/h, or can be manually adjusted by a switch on the dashboard. The twin-tail pipes are rectangular and centrally located, leaving room for two air vents under the bumper.

On the road

The running gear of the Crossfire is from Mercedes-Benz. The 3.2-litre SOHC V6 engine is shared with the C-Class and the old-generation SLK. So is the five-speed automatic gearbox.

But given the Crossfire's diminutive size and a curb weight of about 1,400kg, the Chrysler puts all this Mercedes power to good use. American magazine Road & Track recorded a 0 to 100km/h time of 6.4 seconds with a six-speed manual version. My guess for the automatic is about 6.8 seconds. Acceleration feels fast down the straight. And the engine emits a throaty roar, especially higher up the rev range.

In the handling department, the Crossfire does not feel very sharp, mostly because of the recirculating ball steering system, which has always been the weakest part of older Mercedes models. Still the Crossfire manages to exhibit some impressive cornering, thanks to the well set up suspension and generous tyres.

Interior design

The interior of the Crossfire will look all too familiar to those who have driven the old SLK, particularly the centre console, which shouts Mercedes, only in a different (satin) finish.

That theme carries on to the dashboard and roof lining. There are silver accents on the steering wheel spokes, the door handles and bezels around the instruments. The gauges are white on black and the steering wheel has Chrysler's wing emblem.

The steering wheel can only be adjusted telescopically, but the eight-way adjustable driver's seat should fit all body types. Though the cabin looks cramped from the outside, it is not restrictive. There is storage space in the centre console and door pockets.

Chrysler Crossfire

Engine: 3.2-litre, SOHC, 18-valve, SMPI V6

Power: (SAE net) 215bhp@5,700 rpm

Torque: (SAE net) 310Nm@3,000 rpm

Transmission: manual, six-speed with overdrive

Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds

Top speed: 243km/h



Caught in the crossfire