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LAGUNA BEACH, CA - Chrysler Group could not have chosen a more perfect venue to introduce the f05 Crossfire Roadster than this ultra-upscale Southern California community.
The roadsterfs rich design and powerful performance command respect driving along the Pacific Coastal Highway, where oceanfront homes in this former artist colony sell for eight figures and Ferraris and Lotuses commonly are seen cruising the streets.
Speed lines on new f05 Crossfire Roadster distinguish the car from other Chrysler models.
Both the Crossfire coupe and roadster reflect their own impressive pedigree, sharing 39% of their parts with the Mercedes SLK roadster, including powertrains, suspensions, electrical systems, steering wheel and climate control systems.
Indeed, they likely represent one of a kind, as the DaimlerChrysler AG board, in an effort to protect Mercedes brand identity, has decreed that this degree of sharing with Mercedes wonft be duplicated in future Chrysler products. (See related story: Crossfire Sets Chrysler on New Course)
The new Crossfire Roadster, ranging in price from $35,000 to just under $50,000 for an upcoming SRT-6 version, helps boost Chrysler Groupfs convertible lineup that includes the segment-leading Sebring soft top, new f05 PT Cruiser Convertible and the f04-1/2 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. (See related story: Chrysler Adds Convertible Trio)
With the goal of creating an aspirational vehicle, Chrysler made several strategic decisions - Crossfire was to be a limited-run, niche vehicle and the roadster would be designed alongside the coupe.
Both models are being built in Osnabrueck, Germany, by coachbuilder Wilhelm Karmann GmbH, which will turn out only 20,000 Crossfires annually for worldwide distribution. Some 3,000 units will be SRT-6 models.
This is a critical year for the auto maker, with nine new products rolling out. Although the Crossfire coupe and roadster make up a tiny niche in Chryslerfs product lineup, every sale counts. But the major benefit from Crossfire likely is its halo effect, attracting new and more affluent customers into the brand.
The majority of Crossfires will be sold in the U.S.; the coupe already is available and the roadster goes on sale in May. The companyfs estimated take rate for the roadster is 60%, with 25% manual transmissions. An even split is expected on the roadster between men and women buyers, with a ratio of 55% men to 45% women on the coupe.
Some 17% of Crossfires will be distributed in Europe, followed by Africa, the Middle East, and the right-hand-drive markets of the U.K., Japan, South Africa and Australia.
The goal, says Pablo Cuevas, Crossfire brand manager, is to create a sense of exclusivity. However, Dietmar Gure, chief of the roadsterfs core engineering team, tells Wardfs Karmann is flexible on increasing Crossfire production numbers.
gThey will respond to our needs, but there are limits,h Gure says. gWe donft want to see (the numbers) go too high. We donft want to see too many on the road. But if demand is high, thatfs a nice problem to have.h
To ensure demand exceeds supply, thus also eliminating the need for incentives, Chrysler has said the Crossfire will see a limited run of five years, although that could be extended depending on how well the car is holding up in the market. (See related story: Chrysler Crossfire Designed for Limited Run)
No chop-top here, another key strategy was to design the roadster alongside the coupe to preserve design integrity. Together, the two continue gthe new face of Chrysler,h says Scott Wilkins, senior program manager for the Crossfire. That includes the keyhole-shaped headlights, broad wing brand mark and wide lower grille.
Chrysler engineers wanted flow lines of convertible to be compatible with coupe.
Where the Crossfire siblings begin to distinguish themselves is with the speed lines on the hood that Wilkins calls reminiscent of art deco. And while the idea of the coupe was to mirror the Crossfire concept unveiled at the 2001 Detroit International Auto Show, designers wanted the roadster to have its own characteristics.
gWe wanted to capture the flavor (of the coupe),h Wilkins says, retaining the center spine that runs the length of the car, front fascia, taillamps and rear-quarter panel with flying buttress. The two models also share the same wheel sizes: 19-in. alloys at the rear and 18-in. upfront, giving the cars an aggressive stance.
The key goal was to make sure the roadster looked as good with the top up as it did down. Another initial concern was whether the coupefs muscular boattail rear-end would work with a retractable hardtop. A new decklid was designed with a retractable spoiler, also found on the coupe, that engages at 60 mph (97 km/h). The decklid includes an integrated center high-mounted brake lamp into its design, as well.
The aluminum-frame soft fabric top was given a rounded fastback look, carrying the seamlines into the rear design. gThe car looks like itfs ready to pounce,h Wilkins says, noting the electro-hydraulic roof system can be fully retracted in 22 seconds, with the soft top folding in and the hard tonneau cover closing over.
A beep tells the driver when the transaction is completed. The roadster trunk offers 6.5 cu.-ft. (184 L) of space, compared with 7.5 cu.-ft. (212 L) for the coupe.
Race-inspired headrest bulges are reminiscent of 1950s and 1960s cockpits and support individual satin silver-painted roll bars. The 2-tone twin cockpit interior has leather sport seats, with the central spine shape appearing to continue from the instrument panel through the windshield and onto the hood. Most of the interior switches and instrumentation are taken almost directly from the Mercedes SLK.
As with the coupe, the roadsterfs only available engine is a Mercedes-sourced 3.2L SOHC 18-valve V-6, offered with a 5-speed automatic that includes Chryslerfs Autostick manual control operation, or a 6-speed manual. In the roadster, the engine makes 215 hp at 5,700 rpm and is capable of achieving 21 mpg (11L/100 km) city, 28 mpg (8L/100 km) highway.
Both the roadster and coupe feature a 4-wheel coil-spring independent suspension using a 5-link setup in the rear. Standard equipment includes electronic stability control, all-speed traction control, tire-pressure monitoring system, side airbags, power-heated seats, dual-zone climate control, power windows and a tilt/telescope steering column.
A 240-watt Infinity sound system also is standard, while a $1,200 navigation system radio is a new option for 2005. All-season Michelin tires, at $185, also are an option to the Continental sport tires, which are good for up to 168 mph (270 km/h).
Chrysler says the roadster has been tested at 150 mph (241 km/h) and that the car offers exceptional torsional stiffness (29.2 Hz) and more torque - 229 lb.-ft. (310 Nm) - than the Porche Boxster (192 lb.-ft. [260 Nm]), Audi TT Quatrro (207 lb.-ft. [281 Nm]) and BMW Z4 (214 lb.-ft. [290 Nm]).
The SRT-6 roadster will be packed with even more power, its 3.2L making 330 hp. The powerplant reportedly is the same found in AMG-badged Mercedes vehicles, only with 19 fewer hp, and only is offered with a 5-speed automatic.
The Crossfire Roadster Limited with a 5-speed automatic was supremely confident during a media drive here along twisting mountain roads. Steering was tight, responsive and centered, without oversteer. The antilock brake system kicked in during a sudden stop on a gravel turnout without fuss, allowing the electronic stability control to do its job.
Chrysler executives say the EPS system, called Mark 25, is more driver friendly. gIt hangs back more, and when it comes in, it is safer,h says one.
On the open highway, the automatic shifted smoothly, with an impressive engine growl during acceleration. An optional Mopar wind blocker filtered enough noise out of the cockpit to allow conversation with the top down.
Chief engineer Gures says the best thing is to drive the Crossfire gas if you stole it.h But even at a standstill, the Crossfire Roadster is beautiful to look at. gDrop-dead gorgeous really does apply,h says brand manager Cuevas. gSort of art deco meets techno with wild but stunning looks.h
The big question now is whether well-heeled car buyers will be enamored enough to shell out premium money for a Chrysler product. Perhaps the Mercedes connection will persuade them to take a chance. The auto maker is convinced the Crossfire twins will attract luxury import buyers in the 35- to 50-year-old range, with annual incomes of more than $150,000.
Pricing of the all-new f05 Crossfire Roadster will start at $34,960. The Roadster Limited with manual transmission is $38,920 and the automatic transmission costs $1,075. The SRT-6 roadster is $49,995. All prices include an $875 destination charge.