New Car Overview of the 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Sporty Compact Coupe and Convertible

Description: Sporty Compact Coupe and Convertible
Base MSRP Range: $29,045 - $49,120
Invoice Price Range: $27,040 - $45,545
Where built: Germany

The spirited two-seater from Chrysler debuted in 2004 as a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) sports coupe blending slick American car styling with chassis and parts from Germany via Mercedes.

Original issues stocked a six-pack aluminum plant with a notchy 6-speed manual gearbox or optional 5-speed automatic and Chrysler's AutoStick selective shifter.

For 2005, the collection expands dramatically with open-top roadster editions plus powerhouse options for both coupe and roadster. Crossfire Roadster wears a fabric soft top that stows behind a rigid tonneau lid and it draws from the V6 powertrain of the original coupe. Crossfire SRT-6 is a swift new coupe or roadster stocking a hand-built V6 supercharged to 330-hp.

Crossfire's retractable spoiler at the tail deploys above a designated speed of 60 mph to exert more aerodynamic force on the rear tires, but on SRT-6 the spoiler is locked in place. New Limited models for coupe and roadster reflect a monochromatic paint treatment and carry luxury gear, along with high-tech car controls like an electronic stabilization program (ESP) to prevent wheels from skidding laterally.