There are few cars more capable of delivering such astral pleasure than the Crossfire. And the attendant pleasures are not
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| The Mercedes derived 3.2-liter SOHC V6 provides the Crossfire with plenty of low-end torque. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
just limited to what's overhead or who's next to you. Those in the know, so to speak, are well aware that much of the Crossfire's running gear is derived from the higher priced, Mercedes SLK. The SLK is a fine automobile in its own right; therefore it's hardly negative that it shares general architecture with the Crossfire. The Crossfire's extremely rigid unit body has eliminated cowl-shake, a symptom afflicting more "flexible" convertibles. The solidity of the Crossfire structure makes it an ideal platform on which to attach a more compliant suspension, therefore allowing the benefits of a better ride without getting in the way of handling dynamics. Rather than absorbing bumps and dips, occupants can instead enjoy the rousing performance of the Crossfire's 3.2-liter (195 cu-in) SOHC V6. Once again derived from Mercedes-Benz, the engine features 18-valves operating on a variable timing basis to maximize efficiency and output. Its low-end torque is quite remarkable, and certainly improves the driveability of the car whether equipped with the 6-speed manual or five-speed AutoStick transmission. I have sampled both gearboxes and have learned to appreciate each, depending on my mood. When power is fed through an automatic transmission, healthy low-end torque is vital for spirited off-the-line acceleration. A low-end torque deficiency can be somewhat mitigated by a skilled driver using a manual clutch, but such a
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| Chrysler's AutoStick technology does a pretty good job of living up to the "best of both transmission worlds" marketing spin. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
technique can definitely be life altering to the mechanical bits and pieces that make up a drivetrain. With Chrysler's AutoStick technology (which in this case is actually Mercedes-Benz'), the Crossfire's shifter runs through a gated shift pattern before reaching its final destination of Drive. From this position the Crossfire can be conveniently operated in a fully automatic mode or shifted manually by tapping the lever to the right for an upshift and to the left for a downshift. Hold it to the left and the transmission's "brain" will take over and downshift to the optimal gear for a given situation. Unlike being a little bit pregnant, this consolidated arrangement does a pretty good job of living up to the "best of both transmission worlds" marketing spin.
