2007 Chrysler Crossfire

Chrysler first introduced a shapely new low-slung sports coupe for 2004. The roadster has a more traditional profile than the distinctive fastback rear of the coupe, but both designs are extremely likeable. It looks good with the top up, with its short rear deck. And it looks even better with the top down, the body colored panel behind the rear seats looking like a classic sports car with raised humps behind each seat. The Crossfire was designed to compete with other sports coupes such as the BMW Z4, Mercedes CLK-Class and Audi TT. Standard safety features include airbags, all-disc antilock brakes, brake assist, traction control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and an electronic stability system. The Crossfire is available in coupe and convertible models. It seats two passengers in leather-trimmed high-back bucket seats. The Crossfire's bodysides are relatively tall, but glass surfaces are minimal. Either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox teams with a 215-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6. The Chrysler Crossfire combines American design with German engineering. It's based heavily on the first generation Mercedes-Benz SLK. When the Chrysler Crossfire concept was first introduced at the 2001 North American International Auto Show, there was genuine interest and excitement from both the motoring press and the public.

Powering Chrysler Crossfire

There is only one powertrain and two transmissions available for Crossfire. Crossfire's 3.2-liter V-6 generates 215 hp and 229 pounds-feet of torque. Either a six-speed manual gearbox or an adaptive AutoStick five-speed automatic transmission can be installed. 

Inside the 2007

The base coupe comes standard with power windows, speed control, dual-zone temperature control, four-wheel anti-lock brakes with brake assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and all-speed traction control. Limited models heated leather power seats, tire-pressure monitoring system, touring gear, heated mirrors, fog lamps, and a universal garage door opener. Options are limited to a navigation system and all-season tires in place of the standard high-performance tires. Crossfire comes in Classic Yellow, Aero Blue, Alabaster, Black, Blaze Red, Graphite Metallic and Sapphire Silver Blue. Only two occupants fit inside the Crossfire's twin-cockpit interior. A metallic center console flows from the top of the instrument panel through the center of the car. The seats are trimmed in either cloth or leather upholstery. Leather upholstery was standard in 2004, when only one well-equipped trim level was offered, but starting in 2005 the Crossfire was offered in base and Limited trims, and the base car came with cloth upholstery and a limited roster of standard equipment. The Limited livened things up with power leather seats, an Infinity stereo and more sound insulation. Unique to the base Roadster was an optional Special Edition package (2006 and '07 model years) that included Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat exterior paint, Dark Slate Gray cloth seats, SRT-6-style cast-aluminum wheels, a black windshield surround and satin silver door handles and side louvers.  The coupe offers 7.6 cubic feet of cargo space; it's deep and can swallow a fair amount of stuff, but the opening is relatively small and precludes big boxes. The roadster offers 6.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the top up, less with the top down; accessing the roadster's trunk is very easy, however, compared with some of the more awkward convertibles such as the PT Cruiser or Beetle. 

Crossfire Design

The Crossfire's styling is a blend of edges and subtle curves. A center spine runs the full length of the coupe and serves as a dominant design feature. The Crossfire cockpit is tight and coddling like a sports car's. The Roadster has a high-quality top with a glass back light (rear windscreen) with a defroster. To drop the top, simply pull down the handle on the windshield header, turn the handle, which releases the convertible fabric top and lowers the power windows, and lift the front of the top about eight inches. Then press the button on the center console and the hard tonneau opens up, the soft fabric top folds in, and the hard tonneau closes again. A signature winged Chrysler badge up front spans the upper width of the chrome grille. The headlights have circular elements that carve their way into the car's face. Side air louvers highlight the bodysides. The rear wheels are 19 inches in diameter, while the front ones measure 18 inches. Wide rear fenders end in large, sculpted taillights and dual exhaust pipes. A tapered boat-tail shape highlights the rear end, which emphasizes the large rear wheels, tires and fender. A retractable spoiler activates when the Crossfire reaches 60 mph. The Chrysler Crossfire uses retro styling somewhat like the Mini Cooper, PT Cruiser, or Beetle. Unlike those other cars, however, Crossfire is patterned after parts of classic French Bugattis and Talbot Lagos from the elegant pre-war period of auto design.

Driving the Crossfire

The Crossfire can stop like a sports car, a result of its large 11.8-inch vented front and 10.9-inch solid rear rotors matched with massive tires. Like the SLK, the Crossfire makes use of a comprehensive stability and traction control system. When engaged, this system makes the Crossfire nearly impossible to upset in tricky conditions. The six-speed manual gearbox, a Mercedes unit, somehow doesn't seem to feel as direct and quick shifting as from previous Mercedes roadsters. The Crossfire with the five-speed automatic works flawlessly and is perfectly matched to the 3.2-liter engine. It has a manual-shifting gate, which Chrysler calls AutoStick on its cars. At 60 mph a rear spoiler pops up just under the rear window, and it cuts slightly into rear vision, but noise from the spoiler's motor was not intrusive. The roadster is surprisingly quiet when the top up.

Conclusions

Side-impact airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, all-disc antilock brakes and an electronic stability system are standard. Chrysler updated the car's airbags for 2007, adding knee airbags for the driver and passenger, making the driver's front airbag a multi-stage deployment one and adding an occupant-sensing passenger airbag. The Chrysler Crossfire was available only in coupe form when it debuted in 2004, with a convertible model arriving the next year. The standard engine throughout the model cycle was a Mercedes-sourced 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine that produced 215 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque. The short-lived 2005-'06 Crossfire SRT-6 model boasted a sport-tuned suspension and a fire-breathing, supercharged 330-hp engine that came only with a five-speed automatic. For another look, read an 2007 Crossfire overview by Road & Track.