ZH Crossfire

UNDERNEATH the German built (by Karmann of Ghia fame) Chrysler Crossfire lay a W202 (1996-2004) Mercedes-Benz SLK platform and cabin hardware, suitably modified for its role as Chrysler’s sports coupe and convertible image bearer.

That means rear-wheel drive, a multi-link rear suspension, recirculating ball steering and a Mercedes-cribbed engine – in this case a 160kW/310Nm 3.2 single-cam 18-valve V6 mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox, with a six-speed manual available as an option.

In August ’04 a fabric-roofed convertible arrived using the same powerplant, while performance seekers could buy a supercharged version known as the SRT-6.

Available in Coupe or Roadster guises, it pumped out 246kW and 420Nm, but was only mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.