Chrysler Crossfire : FIRE IN THE HOLE!

And Now For A Chrysler Quite Unlike Any Other. June Neary Gets Acquainted With The Crossfire

Now this is something a little different. With sales of Nissan 350Z and Mazda RX-8 models going through the roof and Audi TTs almost as common as Ford Fiestas in my neck of the woods, the Chrysler Crossfire is a welcome alternative. It looks like nothing else on the road with its hunched up styling and wheels that almost look too big for it, like an overenthusiastic stylists sketch made metal. It drew a lot of attention wherever it went and I had to get used to being stared at, usually by teenage boys.

It may be a little ostentatious for some but I never tired of finding new and interesting styling details. I wouldnt go as far as saying the Crossfire suited me per se, but I definitely found it intriguing.

All round practicality is not a Crossfire strong suit. Its only got space for two and despite its reasonably generous exterior dimensions, the cabin is one of the most intimate of any car on sale today. Anybody over 62" will struggle for headroom and the huge steering wheel, slit-like windows and lack of rearward seat travel only serve to perpetuate the slightly claustrophobic wheel when behind the wheel. The rear hatch opens to reveal a tiny aperture although there is a useful amount of luggage space in the back. The Crossfires signature design feature is the ridge on its flank that starts at the front wheelarch as an overhang and then twists Mobius-like into a shoulder, finally constituting the rear wing. The car is unusually proportioned, with a long bonnet, a surprisingly upright windscreen and a turret of a glasshouse perched atop that muscular body.

The front and rear could only be American, the bluff egg-crate grille and the bold tailgate design being a bit OTT for traditionally understated Euro tastes although some of the detailing is undeniably Germanic. Take, for example, the side strakes that are reminiscent of the Mercedes SL55 AMG or the centreline rib that runs down the roof massively removed from the iconic Chrysler Vipers double bubble design.

Theres no shortage of Mercedes-powered oomph when you point the Crossfire in a straight line and press the right hand pedal. With a 217bhp 3.2-litre V6 up front, youve a genuine turn of speed available, accompanied by a very rude engine and exhaust note. Its the sort of car youll enjoy running to the redline just for the fun of it.

Against the stopwatch, the Crossfire will make 60mph in 6.3 seconds and will top out at an indicated maximum of 150mph. Buyers get to choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic with tiptronic style control. Of the two, the automatic is the preferable option, largely due to the fact that the manual is a disappointment.

The long, vague throw of the gearchange coupled with a flabby clutch action takes much of the enjoyment out of winding the Crossfire up through the gears. With a combination of entertaining engine notes, cracks and bangs from the exhaust when you lift off, plenty of wind roar and tyre thrum, the Crossfire feels very alive. Chrysler made a deliberate decision to put the biggest rubberwear they could get away with on the Crossfire and the massive 19-inch 255/35 series rear tyres generate enormous grip. Couple that with fat anti-roll bars, a multilink rear suspension and a body with massive torsional rigidity and you have a recipe for a car that corners flat and true.

And so it proves. Although the steering isnt class leading the turning circle may well be visible from space - but the Crossfire just grips and goes through corners that would have many rivals raggedly probing the edges of the handling envelopes. Deactivate the stability control system and youll need some determined buffoonery to relinquish grip. Whats perhaps more surprising is that the Crossfire rides so well.

Although it tends to follow lateral ridges in the road so called tramlining the Michelin Pilot Sport tyres that Chrysler specified for the Crossfire were specially selected due to their relatively compliant sidewalls and as a result the ride quality is commendable.

Prices for the Crossfire look reasonable against the Mazda RX-8 and the Nissan 350Z and good value against the more expensive Audi TT 225 coupe. If you prefer the open-air approach, a roadster model is also offered.

Much as I enjoyed my tenure with the Crossfire, the tiny cabin means that it would definitely have to function as a second car. There are many rivals which offer a little more in the way of practicality that will rack up more sales but if you do have the luxury of a two car budget and would like something a little left field, the Crossfire merits consideration. I came away feeling that perhaps this car was targeted more at empty nesters who wanted to relive their youth a little. If thats you, then youll probably love it.