An Ideal Mix of Sport and Elegance
It was close to a year ago that I speculated Chrysler would lop the top off of its sensational new coupe in a news story (January 28, 2003: Will this Chrysler Crossfire Convertible Join the Coupe in 2005?).
While I'd like to be revered as an inspired seer penetrating the inner sanctum of autodom, it's not as if the news of the Crossfire Roadster's arrival was unexpected. Some things, rather, just make so much sense it would only be major news if nothing happened at all.
After spending a day in a preproduction Crossfire Coupe in Southern California during its North American media launch, I knew there was only one thing that could make it better. OK maybe two things, but Chrysler is satisfying my insatiable thirst for speed in an upcoming 333-hp supercharged SRT-6 version so that wish has been granted as well.
The other wish was first unveiled to me in the flesh during a pre-Detroit media event Chrysler Group held in Motown's Cobo Hall. Sure November isn't exactly the time of year, nor Detroit the most suitable place to pull the sheet off of a new roadster, but I would have been much more put out if they had kept it under wraps.
Gorgeous it is, just like its coupe sibling. The car transforms into a ragtop as if it were made for it, which of course is the truth. After all, just under forty percent of the Crossfire is Mercedes-Benz SLK, itself a roadster. The major difference between the two drop tops, other than the obvious styling details, is that Chrysler doesn't use a retractable hardtop.
It was close to a year ago that I speculated Chrysler would lop the top off of its sensational new coupe in a news story (January 28, 2003: Will this Chrysler Crossfire Convertible Join the Coupe in 2005?).
 |
| It's not as if the news of the Crossfire Roadster's arrival was unexpected, but it's good to see it finally been announced. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
After spending a day in a preproduction Crossfire Coupe in Southern California during its North American media launch, I knew there was only one thing that could make it better. OK maybe two things, but Chrysler is satisfying my insatiable thirst for speed in an upcoming 333-hp supercharged SRT-6 version so that wish has been granted as well.
 |
| The Crossfire transforms into a ragtop as if it were made for it, which of course is the truth. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
Gorgeous it is, just like its coupe sibling. The car transforms into a ragtop as if it were made for it, which of course is the truth. After all, just under forty percent of the Crossfire is Mercedes-Benz SLK, itself a roadster. The major difference between the two drop tops, other than the obvious styling details, is that Chrysler doesn't use a retractable hardtop.