It's not a matter of being faster with the clutch, it's a matter of the transmission being simpler than automatic planetary transmissions and thus being able to provide more throughput for the engine to the wheels. And the automatics are HEAVIER, which means that, aside from less power being put to the wheels, more power is needed because the mass of the car is increased.

In a manual tranny, one gear is connected to the clutchplate which is connected to the flywheel which is connected to the engine. In an automatic every single gear is connected to the flywheel 100% of the time, it's just a matter of the transmission switching the output path. Not only that, but the power also has to filter through the torque converter. A manual car is a straight through design, engine to wheels. Automatics are so complex and large that the power is routed through many different gears and filters before getting near the axle. Automatic tranny automatically means the car has lost 10% of its horsepower.

Whether you desire the luxury of an automatic car is not the question, neither is it in question that WMichaels scored 5.7 seconds to 58mph in his automatic (I'd guess that would be nearing 6.3 seconds to 60mph, just a guess). That seems plenty fast enough for me. You cannot argue that an automatic transmission of the planetary kind (featured in the Crossfire) is more efficient, let alone faster, than a manual transmission. It couldn't possibly be, just look at the gearing ratios! The manual stock will probably hit 60mph in 6 seconds flat with the incredibly tight first gear and second gear ratio.

Now, if they offered a sequential clutchless manual in the Crossfire that would be killer. Unfortunately, they do not. Here's to wishing that they'll have one in the SRT-6. THAT would justify the higher price tag.