From Autoweek:
DETROIT - The Chrysler Crossfire - once a dramatic symbol of the promised synergies in the DaimlerChrysler merger, a marriage of German technology and American style - has become a bargain bin sports car.

That merger is ending with the sale of Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management, but the Crossfire will soldier on. The 2008 model goes into production this summer, adding a tire pressure monitoring system and other minor changes.

In 2006, Crossfire orders were suspended because of slow sales. Unsold 2006 and 2007 Crossfires sat in storage in Europe until shipments resumed this spring.

A Chrysler spokeswoman said production of the Crossfire never ceased, but the company stopped taking orders for seven or eight months in North America to "balance" the inventory. U.S. sales fell to 8,216 last year, down from 14,665 in 2005.

In the second quarter of 2007, Crossfire prices less customer cash averaged $27,526, down from $32,460 in the second quarter of 2005, according to Power Information Network data. The base price for the Crossfire coupe when it debuted as a 2004 model was $34,495, including shipping.

Despite the plunge in sales and transaction prices, Chrysler says it's happy with the Crossfire's performance. "We've been outselling the Audi TT," said Chrysler Crossfire engineer Allan Mecca "In our mind, it's meeting expectations."
DETROIT - The Chrysler Crossfire - once a dramatic symbol of the promised synergies in the DaimlerChrysler merger, a marriage of German technology and American style - has become a bargain bin sports car.

That merger is ending with the sale of Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management, but the Crossfire will soldier on. The 2008 model goes into production this summer, adding a tire pressure monitoring system and other minor changes.

In 2006, Crossfire orders were suspended because of slow sales. Unsold 2006 and 2007 Crossfires sat in storage in Europe until shipments resumed this spring.

A Chrysler spokeswoman said production of the Crossfire never ceased, but the company stopped taking orders for seven or eight months in North America to "balance" the inventory. U.S. sales fell to 8,216 last year, down from 14,665 in 2005.

In the second quarter of 2007, Crossfire prices less customer cash averaged $27,526, down from $32,460 in the second quarter of 2005, according to Power Information Network data. The base price for the Crossfire coupe when it debuted as a 2004 model was $34,495, including shipping.

Despite the plunge in sales and transaction prices, Chrysler says it's happy with the Crossfire's performance. "We've been outselling the Audi TT," said Chrysler Crossfire engineer Allan Mecca "In our mind, it's meeting expectations."

 

I know this topic has been addressed before but how in the world could a "reputable" auto magazine get such basic information wrong?

 

What is wrong with this information?

 

The tire pressure monitoring system?

Was this not standard on ALL crossfires, thus far?

I am honestly not sure...just assumed it was.

SQ

 

I noticed that sentence too... I also was under the impression that they all came with the tire pressure monitoring system already.

 

It's nearly an exact word per word article put out for the 2007 model six months ago.

I think that from the very beginning Daimler intended to only build has many Crossfire’s has they had leftover SLK inventory assemblies in stock, once MB made model changes to their SLK line - they needed a way to clear the old crap out the warehouses and the Crossfire was the way to do it.

Once the shelves were empty - poof - so was production. Had sales taken off – well maybe things would be different. We might have seen the upgrades that the SLK family has seen.

With nearly 8 months of 2007 gone, the Chrysler website just now allows you to build a "2007" Crossfire and it prices them exactly the same as a 2006. Press "find my Crossfire" and amazingly - no dealer has one in stock.

 

Yes, the pressure moniter system is/was a standard/included option from the very first crossfire. This really makes you wonder about the validity of the entire article.

 

Autoweek magazine is notorious for getting things wrong.

 

But this is the article that prompted me to write to the Chrysler Internet Rep. and ask about the '08 model possibility. See his response to me under "Breaking News" topic this category.

 

That may be the case...but they are also the ones who said dodge would never be back in nascar, and the new mustang would be offered with AWD.

 

i'm almost certain the base is without the tpms... this is why the base crossfire has rubber valve stems and not the aluminum (sensor attached).

hence will be made standard on all 08's (adding them to base version).



see ebay base roadster in ad (rubber stems): http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chrys...spagenameZWDVW

 

I just read in AAA magazine that all cars stating in '08 have to have tpms by law.

 

Yes it is true the base models do not have TPMS, it is one of the things they left off.
I also heard that there may be a system that displays actual psi. Don't know why, but it is a rumor I heard.

 

If the base model doesn't have them, do you think they have an ECU override that makes the car think that they are always functioning, or do you think they have the complete system removed from the car?

I'd rather not have these as they seem to do more harm than good. Most of the car enthusiasts who own this car are bright enough to peek at their tires every other trip and make sure the PSI is acceptable. Although...I will say the sidewalls don't show much difference between 25 psi and 50 psi.

I wonder what it takes to 'remove' this function from the limiteds.

SQ

 

I don't think the ECU is tied into the TPMS. I think the only thing tied to the TPMS is the warning light.

 

Andrew you are correct, base model's did not come with the TPM. I would hope if there is an '08 Crossfire and it does come with the TPM they will tell you what tire is low. Its a real PIA to check it and try and figure out which one is off when its 20 degrees outside (which will hopefully not be anytime real soon).

 

All well and good, but Alan Mecca is the head honcho of the Crossfire project... So, we'll just have to wait and see...

 

...I assume the TPMS will be more like the other DCX stuff from '06.
They will tell what the psi is on each wheel, and more important, they can/will reset when you rotate the tires. My '05 has a cell they can't clear from a new valve stem.

The other big change mentioned was, no more supercharged engine option in '08 models. SO, the SRT run is done.

DB

 

for the second time now -
in the Nashville market on MSNBC I have seen a Chrysler spot for both '07 and brief mention of '08 cars, the new warranty and briefly they showed the Crossfire.

 

I'm sure Karmann would love to build some more Crossfires.

But where are the 3.2 SOHC V6 motors going to come from ?

The rest of the M-Benz line has switched to the 3.5 DOHC V6.

Can there really be thousands of 3.2 motors sitting in a warehouse some where in Germany ? A few hundred maybe but enough for a full model year run ? On the other hand, If they dropped in the new 3.5 DOHC motor the car sure would be more competitive in the marketplace!

Slim