With the roof down, exposing twin sports bars and a pair of fairings, the Chrysler Crossfire Roadster looks racier than its coupé sibling. Its price, R455 000 for the manual version, means the ravishing American ragtop will appeal to a very exclusive club.
With the roof down, exposing twin sports bars and a pair of fairings, the Chrysler Crossfire Roadster looks racier than its coupé sibling. Its price, R455 000 for the manual version, means the ravishing American ragtop will appeal to a very exclusive club.
Less than a year after launching the Crossfire coupé, DCSA’s Chrysler and Jeep Division has introduced the roadster version fitted with the same 3,2-litre, 18-valve, SOHC V6 engine (which produces 160 kW and 310 N.m of torque), six-speed manual transmission or optional five-speed electronically-controlled adaptive automatic transmission, limited-slip differential, double wishbone front suspension and independent five-link rear suspension, speed-sensitive rear spoiler that deploys at 105 km/h, dual centre-mounted exhaust outlets and characteristic seven-spoke aluminium alloy wheels (18-inch front and 19-inch at the rear).
Like the Coupé, the Crossfire Roadster should reach a top speed in excess of 240 km/h and accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in 6,5 seconds at sea-level, the manufacturer claims.
To compensate for a reduction in torsional rigidity and structural integrity due to the absence of a solid roof, Chrysler strengthened key areas of the Roadster’s bodyshell. With its additional strengthening, the Crossfire Roadster weighs 36 kg more than the coupé, the manufacturer claims.
The Crossfire Roadster’s rear view is instantly recognisable by its tapered “boat tail” appearance that emphasises the sports car’s 19-inch rear wheels. A centre high-mounted brake light runs the width of the deployable rear spoiler and the seam lines on the hood top complement the Roadster’s rear three-quarter contours.
In addition, silver-painted sport bars have been fitted behind the driver and passenger seats and two race-inspired fairings are integrated into the top of the tonneau cover.
The hood can be lowered in 22 seconds. The driver has to pull down the centre-mounted handle on the windscreen header and turn the handle – which releases the convertible fabric top and lowers the side windows. By pressing a button on the centre console, and the Roadster’s automatic roof system opens the tonneau cover, folds away the fabric top and closes the cover.
The model will also available in two new colours – Classic Yellow and Aero Blue. Roadster buyers have a choice of two interior colour schemes – depending on their selection of exterior paint finish – dark slate grey contrasted either with medium slate grey or cool vanilla (light beige). The cool vanilla interior and Classic Yellow exterior colours are exclusive to the Roadster model.
Standard equipment includes: Heated glass rear window, eight-way electrically-adjustable heated leather driver and passenger seat, power windows with one-touch-down driver and passenger controls, telescopic steering column, cruise control, Infinity Modulus audio system with AM/FM/CD and 240-watt digital amplifier (six speakers including dual subwoofers), dual-zone semi-automatic air conditioning and remote keyless entry with central locking (including fuel filler door and centre console).
In terms of safety, the Roadster is equipped with ABS and Brake Assist, electronic Stability Programme and all-speed Traction Control System, driver and passenger front air bags, door-mounted thorax side air bags, TIREFIT system with tyre repair sealant and air compressor, immobiliser, security alarm system and tow-away protection.
The automatic version of the Chrysler Crossfire Roadster costs R465 000. Both manual and automatic models are sold with a three-year/60 000 km bumper-to-bumper warranty and a three-year/60 000 km scheduled services plan included in the price.