- Chrysler Crossfire
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Chrysler Crossfire 
Manufacturer Chrysler Production 2003–2007 Assembly Osnabrück, Germany Class Sports car Body style 2-door convertible
2-door coupeLayout FR layout Platform Chrysler ZH
Mercedes-Benz R170Engine 3.2L M112 E32 (195 cu in), 215Hp V6[1]
3.2L AMG M112 E32(195 cu in) SC 330HP V6[2]Transmission 5-speed automatic
6-speed manualWheelbase 94.5 in (2,400 mm) Length 159.8 in (4,059 mm) Width 69.5 in (1,765 mm) Height 51.5 in (1,308 mm) (coupe)
51.8 in (1,316 mm) (roadster)Related Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Designer Eric Stoddard The Chrysler Crossfire is a rear-wheel drive sports car marketed by Chrysler as both coupé and roadster and was built for Chrysler by Karmann of Germany.
Contents
Design
Side view with the "Crossfire" character line.
The two-seater arrived in 2001 as a concept car designed by Eric Stoddard[3] with further refinement by Andrew Dyson[4] before beginning production in 2003.
The Crossfire's fastback roof and broad rear fenders made for a rear end design that prompted automotive journalists to describe the new car's resemblance to American Motor's 1965-1967 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.[5] Motor Trend" also noted the "provocative boattail theme" of the 2004 Crossfire's sheetmetal to that of the AMC Marlin's.[6]
The name Crossfire refers to the two character lines that run from front to rear along the body sides — crossing each other midway through the door panel. Conceived during the period of Chrysler's ownership by Daimler-Benz, the name also refers to the collaboration of the two companies.
Construction and features
The Crossfire shares 80%[7] of its components with other Mercedes-Benz models. The engine bay of the Crossfire is virtually identical to the Mercedes-Benz SLK320 on the R170 platform. This engine bay has now been proven capable of housing Mercedes V8 engines, which increases the car's performance considerably.[8] The wheelbase and track width are also identical to the SLK320. The seats from the SLK320 bolt directly into the Crossfire chassis. The dashboard, control panel and instruments are mostly identical to the SLK as well.
The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual with an optional 5-speed automatic. Base (Standard) and Limited models, originally sold beginning in the 2004 model year, are equipped with a 3.2 L, 18-valve, SOHC V6 engine which produces 215 hp (160 kW) and 229 foot-pounds (310 N·m) of torque.
The 6-speed transmission on the Chrysler Crossfire is a variant of the NSG-370.[9] The automatic transmission on the Crossfire achieves a better EPA fuel efficiency rating over the 6MT, mostly due to the difference in gear ratios.
Unlike most sport cars of its time, the Crossfire does not use a rack and pinion steering system; instead, it utilizes a recirculating ball system.[10]
Sales
2006 Crossfire Convertible Special Edition.The sales of the Crossfire have been slow, with an average 230 day supply of the vehicles during November 2005. In December, the cars were listed on Overstock.com to clear out inventory. Very few Crossfires were imported to the United States and Mexico for 2006 (and almost all of these were roadsters).[11]
On November 1, 2007, Chrysler announced that, as part of its restructuring plans, the Chrysler Crossfire would be one of four models discontinued after the 2008 model year.[12]
The last Crossfire rolled off of the assembly line on December 17, 2007.
Year[13][14] 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Production 35,700 28,000 12,500 4,805 2,000 - Note: Cars produced in one calendar year may be marketed as the following model year.
Models
Model Years Engine Displacement Power Torque Handling 0-60 mph (97 km/h) Top Speed Limited 2004–2008 3.2 V6 195.2 cu in (3199 cc)[1] 215HP [1] 229 lb·ft (310 N·m)[1] Skid pad .91g 70 - 0 mph in 161 ft.[15]
6.4 sec (6-speed manual)[16]
155 mph (electrically limited) Base (Standard) 2005–2008 SRT-6 2005–2006 3.2 Liter Supercharged V6 330HP [2] 310 lb·ft (420 N·m) Skid pad .90g 70 - 0 mph in 157 ft.[17]
4.8 sec (5-speed automatic)[18] 155 mph (electrically limited) For the first model year (2004), only the coupe was offered (with no "trim" levels), equipped quite similarly to the next year's "limited" model. In model year 2005, there were six variants available; Coupe and Roadster, each with three trim levels: Base (with fewer amenities), Limited, and SRT-6 (supercharged).
SRT-6
2005 Crossfire SRT-6 Coupe in Aero Blue.
Chrysler Crossfire 2005 SRT-6 with Mercedes-AMG E32 EngineThe SRT-6 trim level, as both coupe and convertible, featured the supercharged engine delivering 330 hp (246 kW) and 310 lb·ft (420 N·m) of torque.[2] Differentiating features included suspension and brake modifications, front spoiler, fixed vs. retractable rear spoiler and available navigation system.
In 2006, the SRT-6 was changed to special order only and the Base trim level was renamed to Standard.
See also: Street and Racing TechnologyReferences
- Inline
- ^ a b c d "2008 Crossfire Specifications" (PDF). http://www.media.chrysler.com/dcxms/assets/specs/08_ChryslerCrossfireTech.pdf. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
- ^ a b c "2006 Chrysler Crossfire Specifications". Chrysler. pp. 10=13. http://www.media.chrysler.com/dcxms/assets/specs/2006crossfireSRT6specs.pdf.
- ^ Phil Patton (May 27, 2007). "From a Bad Marriage, Pretty Babies". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/27/automobiles/27DESIGN.html?ex=1182052800&en=96cb47326aa3af0a&ei=5070. Retrieved June 15, 2007.
- ^ Joe, Lorio (April 2009). "Chrysler Crossfire - Road Test & Review". Automobile. http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/coupes/0304_chrysler_crossfire/index.html. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
- ^ Rothwell, Rob (May 2, 2004). "2004 Chrysler Crossfire Coupe Road Test". auto 123. http://www.auto123.com/en/chrysler/crossfire/2004/review?carid=1041300500&artid=23883. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
- ^ Sessions, Ron (May 2003). "First Drive: 2004 Chrysler Crossfire". Motor Trend. http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0305_2004_chrysler_crossfire/index.html. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
- ^ Gail Edmonson (2003-09-29). "Stalled," BusinessWeek
- ^ "Discover the Chrysler Crossfire Roadster". Car Devotion. http://www.cardevotion.com/Article/48/Discover-the-Chrysler-Crossfire-Roadster.html. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
- ^ Juran, Ken. "Chrysler Group's Standard 6-Speed Manuals For 2005". Popular Mechanics. http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/1266936.html. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
- ^ Joe, Lorio (April 2009). "Chrysler Crossfire - Road Test & Review". Automobile. http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/coupes/0304_chrysler_crossfire/index.html. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
- ^ "Overstock.com Announces New Marketing Partnership With Chrysler Group". Press Release (Overstock.com). http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-11826007_ITM. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
- ^ Dee-Ann Durbin (AP) (2007). "Chrysler to cut up to 12,000 jobs". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on November 3, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071103060124/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071101/ap_on_bi_ge/chrysler_job_cuts. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
- ^ "Chrysler caught in own Crossfire?". Autoblog.com. http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/14/chrysler-caught-in-a-crossfire/#comments. Retrieved March 14, 2006.
- ^ Figures for 2006/2007: Automobil Revue, catalogue edition 2008, p. 47.
- ^ http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/original/application/bc7eb2cb023752f055326d4d8754337c.pdf
- ^ DeLorenzo, Matt (October 2009). "2004 Chrysler Crossfire - Road Test — Where style is substance". Road & Track. http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/car/2004-chrysler-crossfire/page_2_-_2004_chrysler_crossfire_page_2. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
- ^ http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/original/application/eee3f449c56f12067fb319947fa30213.pdf
- ^ Robinson, Aaron (March 2005). "2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 - Comparison Tests". Car & Driver. http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/05q1/2005_chevy_corvette_vs._chrysler_crossfire_m-b_slk350_porsche_boxster-comparison_tests/2005_chrysler_crossfire_srt-6_page_3. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
- General
- "2004 Crossfire SRT-6 Packs Punch". Motor Trend (May, 2004): 30.
External links
- www.crossfireinternational.com
- www.ukcrossfires.co.uk
- Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 - Road Tests
- Crossfire on allpar.com
- Review: 2004 Chrysler Crossfire (Retrieved on November 29, 2006)
- 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster
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