Chrysler Crossfire Roadster (04-08) - Review

Originally just one engine was available in the Crossfire - a 3.2-litre V6 which boasts 215bhp. This is less power than rival V6 coupes, but still manages to sprint from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and produces a nice engine and exhaust note. The automatic transmission is a better system than the six-speed manual and suits the grand tourer feel, but neither is particularly enjoyable or rewarding to use - the auto can be sluggish and the manual is notchy with too long a change. A higher performance SRT-6 badged version was available from 2005 which used the same 3.2-litre V6 engine that produced 330bhp thanks to a supercharger, but this was phased out in July 2006.

The two-seater Chrysler is rear wheel driven with a very stiff chassis and huge wheels so you know about it when the road surface is poor, but there's lots of grip in most circumstances. Turn off the traction control in the wet and it can snap out of line suddenly, but otherwise it is a safe and easy car to drive. Unfortunately it's let down by wooden steering and handles more like a saloon than a sports car so as a result demanding drivers will find it unrewarding. On the plus side the Roadster feels fairly stiff with the roof down and there's not too much flex in the body through bends.