The Chrysler Crossfire was one of those unfortunate exercises in style-over-substance. What's worse is that its style was somewhat questionable, garnering reactions from "oh, that's interesting" to "make it stop, please make it stop". Well, Chrysler finally listened to the latter, and here at Autoblog we're not exactly weeping over the demise of the coupe and roadster, the last of which rolled off the assembly line in Germany on Tuesday.
During its five-year lifespan, the "all-American" coupe built in Germany sold 80,000 units, but last year US sales accounted for only 8,216. The car was offspring of the now-defunct partnership between Chrysler and Mercedes, and shared its platform with the original SLK roadster after it had been replaced.
The Crossfire is the first of four models that Chrysler is giving the axe under its new ownership, and since production of the car and many of its components are so closely tied to Daimler, it makes sense that it's the first to go. Next to be cut are the Dodge Magnum (unfortunately), Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible (unfortunately only the convertible) and Chrysler Pacifica (wait, which one was that again?).
[Source: Motor Authority]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
cowboy bob @ Dec 20th 2007 1:01PM
Konk, "I 'cuda had a V-8"!
Grey Meanie @ Dec 20th 2007 1:02PM
Good riddance.
shadysi @ Dec 20th 2007 1:04PM
you took the words out of my mouth.
Xcountryflyer @ Dec 20th 2007 2:33PM
Totally agree. It is the butt of overpriced underperforming sport coupe jokes.
It was saddled with questionable styling and a dated subpar platform.
Luis @ Dec 20th 2007 1:07PM
What's a Crossfire...isn't that something someone gets caught in and tragically dies? how fitting...
Mursin @ Dec 20th 2007 1:09PM
I still cant believe they are killing the Power Wagon (Magnum), to me thats a helluva bad ass car
sw @ Dec 20th 2007 1:19PM
I haven't quite understood the reasoning behind that one either. The other models they've axed make sense, they should also get rid of the pt cruiser entirely.
psarhjinian @ Dec 20th 2007 1:55PM
Because some nitwit thinks that the Challenger will sell more.
The Challenger will sell more than the Magnum for two to six months. Then it will sell worse. Much worse.
Daniel @ Dec 20th 2007 3:57PM
Right when the Magnum came out, I saw a ton of them. However, a couple years later, I feel like I rarely see them. Maybe they've just blended in though...I'd have to see some sales stats
zoomzoomr @ Dec 20th 2007 4:45PM
They really can't cite sales as a reason for dropping the Magnum, considering I see tons more of them on the road than their Charger sedan counterpart. What they should do is offer the refasciaed Chrysler 300 version of the Magnum in the US.. I bet it would sell like crazy then!
el indiano @ Dec 20th 2007 1:13PM
finally! thank you!!!
now the road will be a much prettier place to drive.
too bad the same fate can't be said for the bentley wanna be 300c
John R @ Dec 20th 2007 1:20PM
Up shot: unsold or used RWD hoonage can be had for cheap!
dpb! @ Dec 20th 2007 1:20PM
Really? That many people don't like the Crossfire? I think it is a great looking car and drives pretty nicely. Little too small for my taste, but I enjoy looking at them!
Derek @ Dec 20th 2007 1:41PM
There's at least two of us. Great looking car, but on the heavy side for me. Always like seeing one on the road though.
Rob @ Dec 20th 2007 1:45PM
My dad has one and he and I both love it. He of course has the convertible version. The convertible is better looking than the coupe even when the top is up.
The average person (non-car people) think the crossfire is a good looking car.
GT @ Dec 20th 2007 3:42PM
I love the design as well. I think its weak point was the engine. 215hp/229 ft.lb was way too low for this. The 330hp that comes with the SRT-6 (6?, why not HEMI?) should have been standard, the SRT hitting 420hp like the other siblings under the SRT sub-brand.
Clarence Young @ Dec 20th 2007 1:20PM
You celebrate the demise of "differentness."
Like if it was hurting you somehow, I might get it.
I am sorry to see any of these cars go.
Menice @ Dec 20th 2007 1:25PM
oddly enough,this was one of the few late model chyrslers i always liked.... and the only one that i ever liked the ribbed hood on.
always thought this car looked cool.
(ducking now)
zamafir @ Dec 20th 2007 1:25PM
"since production of the car and many of its components are so closely tied to Daimler, it makes sense that it's the first to go"
Since production of the car has far outstripped demand to the tunes of tens of thousands of languishing crossfires, it makes sense that it's the first to go. Props for mentioning how paltry the sales were, the conclusion just seemed a little disjointed from the rest of the post.
steve clark @ Dec 20th 2007 1:26PM
I still can't believe they intend to dump the PT Cruiser wagon. As many as I see on the road, and as practical as they are (we can haul ANYTHING), I'm surprised Chrysler is doing away with them.