Chrysler Crossfire, with its custom matching luggage, speaks to drivers seeking long tours and major road trips. We really like driving the Crossfire, and we like looking at it, and those are by far the two most important things you can say about any car.Its manners and drivability are the best part about the Crossfire. It doesn't offer the performance and handling of a true sports car, such as the Nissan Z, and there's no V10 planned, so Viper owners should feel safe with bragging rights. But the Mercedes V6 offers quick throttle and the Crossfire accelerates with force. It corners flat, its Mercedes suspension always feels controlled and it has the latest in Mercedes anti-skid technology.
The Crossfire could nearly be called a special edition. It's built in Germany and shipped here in relatively small numbers. The maximum number that will come to the U.S. will be about 11,000 cars per year.
At a time when Audi is discounting its TT coupe, you might wonder why Chrysler decided to build another two-seater. What Chrysler is doing, however, is building a car of its own with well-proven parts from its partner and owner of four years, Daimler-Benz, which builds Mercedes cars. What the company learns from this low-volume Crossfire will transfer to mainstream Chrysler sedans in the future. In any case, we like the Crossfire's unique shape and the evocative design.