Not content with being Chrysler’s fastest-ever road-going car, the Crossfire SRT-6 out-muscles just about every other sports car in its class, including the famed Porsche Boxster S.
The SRT-6 accelerates from 0-100km/h in just 5 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. This incredible acceleration places the SRT-6 above the Porsche Boxster, the BMW Z4 3.2, Audi TT 3.2 V6, the Nissan 350Z 3.5; and alongside the Porsche 911 3.6 Carrera.
The secret to this hot performance lies under the long, sleek bonnet, where the Crossfire’s hand-built 3.2-litre V6 engine has undergone a transformation, gaining a supercharger and water-to-air intercooler amongst the many upgrades.
These improvements have boosted the power output from 160kW (215bhp) to 246kW (330bhp) and increased torque from 310Nm to 420Nm. In short, the Crossfire SRT-6 has the power and performance of a V8 but without the heavier weight or thirst.
Built at the famed Karmann production facility in Osnabrück, Germany, the Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 is available both as a coupe and a soft-top roadster. The Coupe is available for $84,900 whilst the Roadster is priced at $89,900.
The SRT-6 models join the non-supercharged Crossfire coupe and roadster line-up introduced to New Zealand in 2004. The standard Crossfire Coupe 3.2L V6 starts at an attractive $74,900.
The SRT-6 Crossfires are strictly limited in numbers. Already, worldwide demand is exceeding supply of these vehicles. “Anticipation for the arrival of the Crossfire SRT-6 has been very high and we are delighted that this vehicle has finally arrived ?it certainly lives up to its performance promise,?says Brett Aspden, General Manager of Chrysler Jeep New Zealand.
The Crossfire SRT-6 belongs to a very exclusive club. The SRT badge marks it as a product of Chrysler Group’s Street & Racing Technology tuning organisation, set up three years ago to develop high performance cars. As the name suggests, the SRT Group produce street legal vehicles based on racing technology.
Only a small number of Chrysler and Dodge vehicles built each year wear this exclusive badge. Famous members of the SRT club include the Dodge Viper SRT-10 and the Viper-powered Dodge Ram SRT-10.
SRT engineers focus on five areas to create their high performance vehicles: powertrain, ride and handling, braking, exterior, and finally, interior appointments.
The engine, quite naturally, receives special attention. When it came to the Crossfire, the SRT team wanted to retain the light weight and balance of the existing model, whilst boosting performance, so they elected to stay with the proven 18-valve 3.2-litre V6 engine, but enhance it with a helical supercharger and water-to-air intercooler.
Unlike turbocharging, which uses exhaust gases to force fuel/air into the engine and tends to increase power at the higher rev range, superchargers are driven off the engine crankshaft, and provide a power boost that starts at much lower revs. This is clearly illustrated by the 53% increase in power output and 35% lift in torque.
Supercharging provides a more urgent throttle response, and with 90% of the torque available from 2300rpm to 6200rpm there are huge reserves of power for safe over-taking at all times.
The intercooler increases the density of the fuel/air mix so that more can be forced into the engine and a new management system brings it all together. The icing on top is a deeper, performance-tuned exhaust note.
To harness this awesome power, the SRT engineers upgraded the five-speed sequential shift AutoStick?that drives power through the rear wheels.
Handling and traction have not been over-looked either. The Crossfire SRT-6 has a stiffer and sportier performance ride with reduced understeer. This is enhanced with performance-tuned damping and an aggressive compound on the standard Michelin Pilot Sport performance 225/40 ZR18 (front) and 255/35 ZR19 (rear) tyres.
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is tuned specifically for more spirited driving further contributing to Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6’s ultimate performance ride and handling.
Performance-tuned four-wheel disc ABS brakes with dual-piston floating callipers on the front, and opposed piston fixed callipers on the rear, ensure class-leading braking.
The Crossfire is regarded as one of the most stylish sport cars in the world and its long bonnet and boat-tail rear are instantly recognisable. In creating the SRT-6 and incorporating only subtle changes, the designers ensured the original flare was not lost.
The fixed rear spoiler enhances the aggressive performance appearance, and contributes to optimum performance handling and aerodynamic stability. The elegantly integrated front fascia “chin?spoiler also reduces lift and enhances vehicle balance, whilst improving airflow for increased stability and fuel efficiency. Adding to the SRT-6’s exterior, are15-spoke performance-themed SRT aluminum alloy wheels (18-in. front and 19-in. rear).
The interior has benefitted from tasteful changes with the addition of exclusive premium performance-themed appointments. Race-inspired seats, designed to provide increased support for everyday driving, as well as spirited on-track driving, are trimmed in dark slate grey leather enhanced by Alcantara suede inserts and bolsters. “SRT-6?is embroidered on the headrests.
Subtle gray stitching on the seats and steering wheel and a 320 km/h speedometer, highlighting the car’s performance characteristics, round out the interior appointments, unique to the Crossfire SRT-6.
Other standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, an Infinity Modulus Sound System, cruise control and 8 way power driver and passenger seats. The Roadster comes with an electrically operated hard tonneau hood.
