GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

New models - Chrysler - Crossfire - SRT-6 range

First drive: SRT-6 polishes Crossfire breed

Blown: supercharged Crossfire lands here in coupe and roadster guise.

Blown V6-powered Crossfire coupe and roadster up the ante for Chrysler Down Under

21 Jun 2005

MOVE over AMG, FPV and HSV, there is another three-letter high-performance acronym about to join your ranks.

SRT, or Street and Racing Technology, may not be widely known in Australia but Chrysler is hell bent on changing all that with the launch of the supercharged Crossfire SRT-6, expected to be the first of a range of high-performance cars for the American brand.

With the SRT-6 carrying a $16,000 premium over the standard Crossfire, Chrysler Jeep Australia managing director Gerry Jenkins said he anticipated it would find just 50 buyers a year, most opting for the eye-catching $91,990 Roadster version. The Coupe will sell for $85,990.

Chrysler is clearly hoping the edgy two-seater will give its conservative brand image a shot in the arm even if it means borrowing some Mercedes AMG heavy artillery in the form of the supercharged V6.

The engine will be familiar to those who remember the Mercedes-Benz AMG C32 3.2-litre V6 and, considering the Crossfire uses the previous-generation SLK architecture, it is a logical fit.

Much more than resting their laurels on a re-badged AMG, SRT engineers have made extensive revisions to the powertrain as well as the vehicle's ride and handling.

The V6 remains a hand-built item, courtesy of AMG, with more than enough power and torque - 246kW and 420Nm - versus the C32's 260kW and 460Nm.

Adding the supercharger boosts power by 53 per cent and liberates 30 per cent more torque than the standard Crossfire, with 90 per cent of the torque available between 2300rpm and 6200rpm. The engine also features a helical supercharger and water-to-air intercooler.

Not surprisingly, the SRT-6 is quick. It has a zero to 100km/h time of about five seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. To help cope with the extra power and torque, the Crossfire's five-speed automatic has been upgraded, but the trademark centre dual exhausts remain.

To further complete the performance package, both the Coupe and Roadster gain beefier brakes, revised spring rates, re-tuned damping, recalibrated ABS and re-tuned ESP programming.

The SRT division sought to deliver a stiffer, sportier ride with more neutral handling at the limit and less understeer than the standard car.

The suspension continues with double wishbones up front and an independent five-link arrangement at the rear.

Mr Jenkins was adamant the SRT-6 had the looks, power and packaging to be a serious rival to the Audi TT 3.2, BMW Z4 3.0 and Porsche Boxster 3.2S.

"With performance comparable to the established models like the Boxster S, yet at a significantly lower price, the SRT-6 is an exciting proposition," he said.

11 center imageVisually, the SRT-6 gains several exterior tweaks to differentiate it from the standard Coupe and Roadster. Gone is the integrated rear spoiler, replaced by a fixed rear spoiler, while a deeper front spoiler contributes to better downforce.

Lightweight 15-spoke SRT alloys (18-inch at the front and 19-inch at the rear) and a range of bespoke exterior colours offer further differentiation.

Inside there are hip-hugging sports seats, nappa leather with suede inserts and 'SRT-6' embroidering, and an optimistic 320km/h calibrated speedo.

Standard equipment runs to electric roof removal (convertible), powered and heated driver's seat, electric windows, a premium CD stereo, dual-zone climate control, remote central locking, dual front and side airbags and an alarm.

The Crossfire SRT-6 is the first SRT-badged Chrysler Group vehicle to be introduced to markets outside North America.

Chrysler Jeep Australia national sales manager, Brad Fitzsimmons, said the SRT would add a lot to the brand image as a "sports tourer". Its aggressive pricing against what Chrysler perceives as its rivals would also help sales, he said.

Meantime, Mr Jenkins said Chrysler and Jeep sales were on target this year to reach 6900 vehicles, but would gain a big lift in the second half with the launch of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300C sedan.

Even with the modest sales projections, Mr Jenkins is confident overall Crossfire sales will hit 200 this year.

The Crossfire SRT-6 is expected to be the first of several new hot Chryslers earmarked for local release. In the United States, SRT has developed 10 vehicles, including the Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Viper SRT10, Chrysler 300C SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

"At this stage we haven't confirmed any other SRT vehicles for Australia," Mr Jenkins said. "But we'll be pushing hard to get the SRT-8 versions of both the Chrysler 300C and new Jeep Grand Cherokee."

GoAuto can help you buy a new Crossfire

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

Chrysler models

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here