Background:
Sometimes, unscientific surveys provide more insight than discs full of data.
When the all-new,
2004 Chrysler Crossfire pulled into the Daily Herald parking lot for a week-long test drive last month, curiosity seekers came darting out of the pulp work. Fellow co-workers normally oblivious to my position of tester of the metal were more than inquisitive as to the vehicle in the company parking lot. Not since the test drive of the Hummer H2 earlier this year did a vehicle garner this much interest. And Crossfire appeals to all ages. More than once a twenty-something individual in a car stopped next to mine at a traffic light and struck up a conversation. At the other end of the curiosity spectrum, a spry lady of retirement age approached the car in the Des Plaines park district center parking lot politely asking, “is that a Porsche?”
The arrival of Crossfire signals the first major product team effort between Chrysler Corp. and Daimler-Benz since the “merger of equals” in the fall of 1998. Approximately 39 percent of Crossfire features are adapted componentry from its Mercedes-Benz partner, mostly powertrain and axles. The availability of ready-to-go components helped Crossfire go from concept to showroom ready in a relatively short 24-months. The vehicle first hit public consciousness as a concept car at the 2001 North American International Auto Show in Detroit with a February stop at the Chicago Auto Show.
Crossfire is a rear-wheel-drive, two-seat hardtop with rear hatch and sporty personality. It’s designed to turn heads and start conversations. Chrysler last year retired the retro-inspired, hot-rod-styled Prowler convertible, leaving the door open for a new low-volume car. Unlike the Detroit-built Prowler, Crossfire is assembled in Germany.
When full yearly production heats up, Chrysler plans on building 20,000 units a year. Since the 2004 Crossfire was a mid-year introduction, Chrysler estimates 11,000 vehicles will be built this year with 8,700 earmarked for the United States.
Engine/trim level:
Crossfire’s powertrain is all Mercedes. The 3.2-liter, 18-valve V-6 generating 215 horsepower is also found the in Mercedes-Benz SLK, C-Class and the M-Class sport utility. The engine is relatively quiet, sans the throaty, rumbling sound found in other roadsters including the Porsche Boxster. The gas tank holds 15.9 gallons of premium unleaded fuel. Mileage readings for our Crossfire with automatic transmission checked in at 21 miles per gallon city and 28 m.p.g. highway.
Since this is a relatively low-volume vehicle, only one well-equipped trim level is available.
Standard equipment:
Crossfire has a host of standard features and only three options: all-season tires, automatic transmission and exterior color choices.
Every Crossfire comes with power eight-way heated driver seat, power four-way heated passenger seat, telescoping steering column, power windows, cruise control, AM/FM/compact disc six-speaker stereo, dual-zone climate control with air conditioning, power windows, rear window defroster, power locks and heated power side view mirrors.
Price:
The inquisitive lady at the park district center would be glad to know the Crossfire costs $10,000 less than a Porsche Boxster that starts at around $43,000. Crossfire comes well equipped at a $33,620 starting price. The only option our test model had was a $1,075 automatic transmission. This added to the $875 destination charge brought the bottom line to $35,570.
Nissan’s 350Z has several different trim levels to choose from (including convertible versions) and varies from $27,000 to $37,000 depending on the options selected.
Inside:
The two-seat Crossfire includes two-tone leather seating standard. Like many roadsters, the Crossfire sits close to the ground, but this vehicle seemed a bit easier to maneuver into and out of than the Nissan 350Z or even a Mazda Miata. Large “C” pillars between the back hatch and side windows create rather large blind spots.
The instrument cluster is comprised of three circular, mostly analog gauges with a center speedometer, right side tachometer and left-side fuel gauge. A digital clock is nestled along the bottom of the right-side gauge while a digital outside temperature readout is along the bottom of the fuel gauge.
Large, tubular grab handles adorn both doors. Power window and mirror controls are found in between the front bucket seats. A singular, rather flimsy cup holder pops up from this region while a hand-operated parking brake is nearby, too. Far back in this area is a storage area, hinged in back, requiring quite a stretch from a seated position to open and close. For such a diminutive car, the right-side glove box is good sized.
Satin silver highlights adorn the central dash with ventilation controls along the top. Two circular dials monitor fan direction and speed while rotary dials flanking each side control the temperature of their respective regions. The stereo with compact disc player (no cassette player is offered) is situated below. I could not spot any secondary radio controls on the steering wheel so to change frequency, one must reach over to the stereo. Beneath is a row to toggle switches controlling heated seats and a release button for the rear hatch.
The ignition cylinder is to the right of the steering wheel, with a circular headlight dial to the left. Chrysler has a second, thinner cruise control stalk on the left side accompanying the turn signal stalk. This is a design found on many Mercedes cars.
The optional automatic transmission featured the “auto stick” feature allowing drivers to shift gear points without a foot clutch simply by tapping the shifter sideways.
The area behind the bucket seats has 7.6 cubic feet of space, enough room for a set of golf clubs and whatever else that can pile on top.
Outside:
The 2004 Crossfire is strictly a hard top coupe. No official word as to when or if a convertible version is in the works. But keep in mind Nissan introduced a convertible version of its redesigned Z car about a year after its hard-top debut.
The hood is long with a curved rear hatch. Both doors have chrome plated, strap-like handles. Metallic-finished side air louvers adorn both front fenders. Rear fenders are wide and arched with taillights anchoring the bottom with a hatch door that’s long and narrow.
A thin ‘spine’ runs the length of the vehicle starting at the hood, continuing inside on the dashboard, returning outside to the roof and morphing into the rear hatch. The locking fuel gauge is on the rear passenger-side fender. The radio antenna is built into the rear window. Along the bottom toward the rear are dual, center mounted exhaust outlets. Crossfire rides on 18-inch, seven spoke tires in front and 19-inch rubber in back.
Another interesting standard feature is a cloaked rectangular spoiler beneath the hatch door that electronically flips up when Crossfire hits speeds of 60 miles an hour and retracts when decelerating below 40 m.p.g. For those wishing to see the spoiler when planted in the driver seat, it also flips up with a push of a dashboard button at any time.
The front grille includes circular headlights that do not wrap around to the front fender.
Warranty:
The powertrain warranty is good for seven years or 70,000 miles, whichever comes first. Many other working components are covered for three years or 36,000 miles. Roadside assistance is covered for the same three-year interval. The rust/corrosion warranty is five years and unlimited miles.
Safety features:
Crossfire includes remote key entry, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, all-speed traction control, driver and front passenger air bags (with deactivation switch for the passenger-side air bag), door-mounted side air bags, electronic stability control and anti-theft alarm. Crossfire also sounds a “beeping” chime until drivers buckle their seat belts.
Final thoughts:
Crossfire provides a smoother ride than a recently tested Nissan 350Z roadster, which had a closer-to-the-ground, road-hugging harsh ride. While the outside design sparked much interest, the inside ergonomics could already use updating.
Expect to pay sticker price for this new model with limited production. If DaimlerChrysler is wavering about building a convertible version of the Crossfire, I’d highly recommend one.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 94.5 inches
Overall length: 159.8 inches
Overall width: 69.5 inches
Overall height: 51.4 inches
Weight: 3,084 pounds