2004 Chrysler Crossfire

The Crossfire boasts exceptional body stiffness, more than a Porsche 911 and double that of a Boxster roadster, according to DC engineers. The stiffened M-B suspension is double wishbone front, independent five-link rear, with coil springs and gas shocks all around. Given that, plus the large ZR-rated tires (a new Michelin design optimized for dry-road handling), the Crossfire feels nimble, stable and plenty fun to drive on twisty roads. Chrysler engineers say its handling is right up there among the best on the road, which we have no reason to doubt. An optional tire choice is the industry's first ZR-rated all-season performance tires (from Continental), which trade a bit of dry traction for all-weather capability.

The rear hatch opens wide to 7.6 cubic feet of cargo space?not much, but not bad for a 2-seat coupe.

Zero to 60-mph performance is respectable at about 6.9 seconds and the 3.2-liter V-6 feels brisk around town and at lower speeds, a bit less robust at higher (passing) speeds. Given the tough competition-Audi TT, BMW Z4, Honda S2000, Nissan 350Z, Porsche Boxster-something more than 215 horsepower would be helpful should the novelty of the Crossfire's striking looks and exclusivity (about 11,000 units for the U.S. market of the total 20,000 per year) ever wear thin.


At roughly $36,000, the Crossfire is fully equipped with very few options. Standard features includes heated power seats (8-way power for the driver, 4-way for the passenger), leather-covered steering wheel on a telescoping column, Infinity Modulus 240-watt, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system (based on Infinity's Modulus home theater surround system), dual-zone air conditioning, "customized touring gear" (three luggage carriers with Crossfire design cues), remote keyless entry, and a programmable universal garage door opener.


Safety features include four-wheel antilock power disc brakes, ESP (Electronic Stability Program (which integrates brake application and throttle intervention for yaw control, ignition and throttle intervention for wheel spin control), all-speed traction control, next-generation front air bags, door-mounted thorax side air bags, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child restraint system (with front passenger-side air bag deactivation switch), tire pressure monitoring system, security alarm system and Sentry Key vehicle immobilizer.


In keeping with its trans-Atlantic origins, Crossfire will be available in both left- and right-hand drive and marketed in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Chrysler sees it as representative of the marque's new brand character and the first "ambassador" of a DaimlerChrysler product push coming to markets outside North America. We think it will be an aesthetic and dynamic hit wherever it plays. (www.chrysler.com)