A U T O     B U Z Z

Just months after it was unveiled as a concept car, the Chrysler Crossfire is ready to hit the roads of Europe and the United States. At the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, Chrysler took the wraps off its Crossfire production model.

DaimlerChrysler says that it ship 20,000 units of the new sports coupe, with approximately 15 percent going to markets outside the United States.

The production Crossfire is shorter than the concept model, since it shares its chassis with the Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster. It also receives an automatic lifting rear spoiler to reduce incidents of high speed instability that has plagued cars such as the Audi TT. In addition, the Crossfire will receive the Mercedes-Benz corporate 3.2-liter 18-valve twin spark V6 producing 215 bhp and 310Nm of torque matted to a choice of 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.

Inside, the Chrysler receives more parts from the Merc parts bin as it gains the SLK's center console and some switchgear. It also gains Merc's ESP (Electronic Stability Program) plus traction control as standard.

To produce a mean appearance, the Crossfire gains 18-inch 225/40 ZR tires at the front and rear 19-inch 255/35 ZR tires. No price tag has been fixed on this sports coupe yet.

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