What is it?
Chrysler Crossfire
What's special about it?
Modern American, that's what Chrysler senior VP of product design for DaimlerChrysler would like you to think when viewing the Crossfire. He says this new concept car exhibits European proportions with American character, and we'd tend to agree. As with several recent Chrysler concept efforts, styling is a blend of classic European design cues, but this time ladled onto good old American long-hood, short-deck, hot-rod proportions.
Crossfire's carbon-fiber body, which is mounted to an aluminum space frame, helps the car tip the scales at 2,900 pounds. The wipers stand vertically on the windshield to give the appearance of a split-glass window. A rear pop-up spoiler deploys above certain speeds to keep the stubby tail planted, and there is a hatchback opening to access the cargo compartment. Similar to the 1995 Chrysler Atlantic show car, a central "spine" runs the length of the car, and hood grooves emphasize the acreage of the hood. The fender form that begins at the front of the Crossfire and sweeps rearward crosses over itself about halfway down the side, thus providing the basis for the concept's name.
Crossfire is a true two-seat sports car with a supercharged 2.7-liter V6 making 275 horsepower and 270 ft-lbs. of torque, mated to a five-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. Chrysler says the Crossfire will go 148 mph and can get from zero to 60 in a scant 5.8 seconds. A push-button starter fires the motor.
At 102.6 inches, Crossfire has a wheelbase longer than a 2001 Viper, and a wide track measuring 58.3 inches up front and almost 60 inches in back. Nineteen-inch wheels with P255/40R19 tires handle steering duty up front, while in back massive 21-inch wheels and P295/35ZR21 rubber get the power to the ground. A four-wheel independent short-and-long-arm suspension system, with coil-over-shock dampers, allows Crossfire to handle the way a sports car should.
Deep Sapphire Blue and Cedar Tan leather decorate an interior highlighted by brushed aluminum. Power adjustable competition seats and manually adjustable pedals make it easy to find a comfortable driving position, even if you've got a helmet on (there's dedicated space behind the seats that holds helmets). The dual-cowl dash, reminiscent of the modern-day Mustang, is littered with controls that are shaped to form the Chrysler winged logo.
Crossfire contains an electronic vehicle information center (EVIC) which measures and displays performance stats (EVIC captures acceleration, g-forces and lap times) and shows the data on an LCD screen located in front of the passenger.
Why should you care?
Honestly, you shouldn't. Chrysler is hemorrhaging; money, job and factory cuts are imminent; and there isn't an icicle's chance in Tucson that the Crossfire will be produced. We already know the company can make a competent sports car (witness the 2003 Viper), and nothing about the Crossfire, except for the EVIC, is groundbreaking. So move on to something else, pal.
Chrysler Crossfire
What's special about it?
Modern American, that's what Chrysler senior VP of product design for DaimlerChrysler would like you to think when viewing the Crossfire. He says this new concept car exhibits European proportions with American character, and we'd tend to agree. As with several recent Chrysler concept efforts, styling is a blend of classic European design cues, but this time ladled onto good old American long-hood, short-deck, hot-rod proportions.
Crossfire's carbon-fiber body, which is mounted to an aluminum space frame, helps the car tip the scales at 2,900 pounds. The wipers stand vertically on the windshield to give the appearance of a split-glass window. A rear pop-up spoiler deploys above certain speeds to keep the stubby tail planted, and there is a hatchback opening to access the cargo compartment. Similar to the 1995 Chrysler Atlantic show car, a central "spine" runs the length of the car, and hood grooves emphasize the acreage of the hood. The fender form that begins at the front of the Crossfire and sweeps rearward crosses over itself about halfway down the side, thus providing the basis for the concept's name.
Crossfire is a true two-seat sports car with a supercharged 2.7-liter V6 making 275 horsepower and 270 ft-lbs. of torque, mated to a five-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. Chrysler says the Crossfire will go 148 mph and can get from zero to 60 in a scant 5.8 seconds. A push-button starter fires the motor.
At 102.6 inches, Crossfire has a wheelbase longer than a 2001 Viper, and a wide track measuring 58.3 inches up front and almost 60 inches in back. Nineteen-inch wheels with P255/40R19 tires handle steering duty up front, while in back massive 21-inch wheels and P295/35ZR21 rubber get the power to the ground. A four-wheel independent short-and-long-arm suspension system, with coil-over-shock dampers, allows Crossfire to handle the way a sports car should.
Deep Sapphire Blue and Cedar Tan leather decorate an interior highlighted by brushed aluminum. Power adjustable competition seats and manually adjustable pedals make it easy to find a comfortable driving position, even if you've got a helmet on (there's dedicated space behind the seats that holds helmets). The dual-cowl dash, reminiscent of the modern-day Mustang, is littered with controls that are shaped to form the Chrysler winged logo.
Crossfire contains an electronic vehicle information center (EVIC) which measures and displays performance stats (EVIC captures acceleration, g-forces and lap times) and shows the data on an LCD screen located in front of the passenger.
Why should you care?
Honestly, you shouldn't. Chrysler is hemorrhaging; money, job and factory cuts are imminent; and there isn't an icicle's chance in Tucson that the Crossfire will be produced. We already know the company can make a competent sports car (witness the 2003 Viper), and nothing about the Crossfire, except for the EVIC, is groundbreaking. So move on to something else, pal.
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