Caught in the Chrysler Crossfire

It's sporty and it's serious. Motoring editor ALASTAIR SLOANE takes a look at the first production car from the DaimlerChrysler merger.

Chrysler is waving Old Glory and calling its two-door Crossfire an "American dream come true - the sports coupe of the future".

But all the hype and hoopla at the coupe's launch in Detroit the other day fell largely on deaf ears - the Crossfire will be built in Germany, from Mercedes-Benz parts.

Coachbuilder and long-time Mercedes-Benz affiliate Karmann will produce left- and right-hand-drive examples beginning early next year, only two years after the concept car appeared at the 2001 Detroit motor show.

The right-hand-drive version would probably not be available until 2004. "It would be exciting if we could get it here," said Chrysler New Zealand general manager Brett Aspden. "It would increase Chrysler's product range and certainly impact on the appeal of the brand."

Industry analysts are saying the rush to production reflects Chrysler's urgent need for a model to lift its international image. Chrysler is mostly known for its Jeep brand outside the United States.

The Crossfire is the first production car from the DaimlerChrysler merger. "Crossfire symbolises what this merger is all about," said Dieter Zetsche, president and CEO of the Chrysler Group.

"It's a great example of what we call disciplined pizzazz, or the ability to bring a got-to-have-it vehicle to market profitably by working together, combining strengths and effectively leveraging resources."

Analysts in America are saying the Crossfire will borrow much of its components, including the five-speed automatic transmission, five-link rear suspension, traction control and electronic stability programme, from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The next-generation E-Class will be unveiled at the Brussels motor show next week and will arrive here later in the year. By the time Crossfire and its Benz bits go into production, the new E-Class will be a year or so into its life.

Chrysler will make more use of Mercedes-Benz parts. Word is Jeep is to get a German diesel engine.

The Crossfire is the latest in a long list of innovative Chrysler concept cars that have made it into production without varying wildly from their original design. These include the Plymouth Prowler, Dodge Viper and PT Cruiser.

The production model Crossfire is a low-slung, two-seat coupe with a carved, sculptured appearance and a kerb weight of 1361kg.

It is not quite as bold as the 2001 show car. A 160kW 3.2-litre V6 replaces the supercharged 205kW 2.7-litre V6, and 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels replace the 19- and 21-inch mags of the concept.

The 3.2-litre engine produces 310Nm of torque and drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

The gun-slinging name Crossfire, says Chrysler, comes from the vehicle's distinctive character line as it "travels quickly from the front through the rear fender".

The sculptured hood shows off Chrysler's new signature winged badge, which spans the upper width of the chrome grille.

The car's spine runs the length of the car and gives it a chiselled look. It starts at the front grille and ends between the dual exhaust pipes, where the tapered boat tail appearance emphasises the rear wheels, tyres and bumpers.

A retractable spoiler incorporated in the rear pops up when the car reaches a designated speed, an aerodynamic feature similar to that of the Porsche 911.

Inside the cockpit, the spine shape appears to continue from the instrument panel through the windshield and on to the hood. Seats are trimmed in leather with the winged badge embossed into both head rests. The ignition switch is on the instrument panel.

Brushed aluminium accents appear throughout the interior, including on the doors, steering wheel and instrument panel.

"In addition to romantic shapes and sleek, athletic lines, we gave the Crossfire a new glass-to-body proportion," said design executive Trevor Creed.

"We made the body-sides tall while minimising glass surfaces. We wanted to give the driver that special feeling of being inside the cockpit of something very sporty, serious and protective."

Meanwhile, Swedish carmaker Saab's four-wheel-drive 9-3X concept was unveiled at Detroit last week.

It takes Saab off-road for the first time and is an extension of the 9X coupe concept shown last year.

"We are seriously considering the right sort of product with which to enter the off-road segment," said Saab president and CEO Peter Augustsson.

"It must be innovative and sporty and must have multi-dynamic properties, much like the 9-3X concept.

"You can also expect to see a number of features from this car in upcoming products."

The 9-3X has room for four adults and is powered by a turbocharged 2.8-litre V6 producing 206kW and 400Nm of torque between 1700 and 5500 rpm. Power goes to all four wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission.

Equipment includes an "infotainment" system with twin displays and a power-operated sliding floor in the rear for more convenient loading.

Saab design chief Michael Mauer said: "The 9-3X is where coupe meets off-roader. For Saab to be true to its heritage we wanted to go off-road in a slightly different way."