THE hottest of all the Chrysler Crossfire models, the supercharged SRT6 roadster, is a great little beast.
Not a car for the fainthearted, it will give the true driver a great deal of pleasure.
Whether you’re running gently around your favourite haunts en route to the best cafes or, ideally, giving it a real blast over your favourite roads, a silly smile is likely to be on your face all the time.
And those who see the car going by are likely to appreciate its appearance as well, although we have to admit that we have spoken to some unenlightened individuals who can’t come to grip with the shape.
Aerodynamics have also been given an upgrade in the SRT6 variant. There’s a slightly deeper front spoiler and a smartlooking fixed rear wing to reduce lift at high speed.
The Crossfire roadster’s softtop remains attractive when it’s in place but naturally looks even better when it’s down.
The operation of the roof is on the awkward side, not being up to some of the latest of its type in design. It requires manual operation of a hefty centre latch.
After that, it’s simple enough, you simply hold down a button and everything else is automatic. The roof stows completely out of sight in a vertical compartment immediately behind the seats.
When the roof is up there’s access to its stowage area by way of a folding flap at the back of the boot. This turns an otherwise pretty smallvolume boot into a respectable luggage area. However, the tiny opening will restrict useability.
It’s not just the boot, the cabin is on the tight side, as well.
The seat backrests are very limited in the angle to which they can be reclined so that avenue of gaining a bit more comfort is not available.
The really big news in the Crossfire SRT6 is the supercharged engine fitted to the fastest model.
Installing a blower over the 3.2litre V6 engine gives it no less than 53 per cent more power.
But the torque is the real story, not the power. The massive 30 per cent torque boost is available all the way from 2300 rpm through to 6200 rpm, providing almostinstantaneous acceleration from almost any speed. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
Fuel consumption is nothing special. Around town the engine will use about 12 to 14 litres per 100 kilometres, a figure that’s mirrored by highaction country driving. Slower paced running could drop the consumption below 10 litres per 100, but you would have to work at it.
Sadly, the SRT6 versions of the Crossfire do not have the option of a manualshift transmission, instead you get a fivespeed automatic. It uses adaptive electronic control that has been further tuned to suit this hot engine’s characteristics.
Driveroperated gear changes via the lateral AutoStick shifter, and the lockup torque converter give full transmission of torque without annoying slip. So there’s reasonable satisfaction on offer for doityourself drivers.
To match this new found power, the Chrysler’s suspension has increased spring rates, performancetuned dampers, and a slightly softer rubber compound for the Zrated performance tyres.
The internally vented brake discs also are larger than on the base model. The ride is pretty firm and may not appeal to those looking purely for a good looking cruiser.
Cornering is up to the urge provided by the supercharged engine. This is a fullon sports model that can be fanged along hard and fast in a most enjoyable manner.
The big tyres, larger at the rear than the front, hold on safely at cornering speeds seldom likely to be encountered this side of a racing track.
They offer a decent amount of comfort even on moderately rough roads.
Really rough ones do bump the Crossfire around in a manner that can be uncomfortable at times.
If your favourite roads encompass some rough stuff, have a talk to the Chrysler dealer and explain that you need to do some of your prepurchase road testing in those areas.
A true sports machine at a pretty moderate price for the performance and styling, the Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 roadster should be on the shopping list of anyone who is tight on cash, but not on driving ambition.