Chrysler Crossfire

Future CarsIf looks can indeed kill, then the Chrysler Crossfire concept qualifies as deadly force. Check out the weapon: ground-hugging stance, wide track, low-profile rubber, and a 275-hp supercharged DOHC V-6 under the hood sending power to the rear wheels. We remember another Chrysler sports car concept that ultimately made it to production: It's called the Dodge Viper, and it's still a hit, to say the least. Could the Chrysler Crossfire-which will make its world debut at the North American International Auto Show about the time you read this-be next?

We spoke with Trevor Creed, vice president of design for DaimlerChrysler, to understand the overall mission of the Crossfire. We also discussed its hardware and build with Jon Rundels, director of Concept and Specialty Vehicles, and William Presley, supervisor for Concept and Specialty Vehicles. Finally, we downloaded some design visions from the car's creator and Chrysler product stylist, Eric Stoddard.

"It's intended to blend the youthful, sophisticated small sports look of coupes from Europe with the classic, powerful appearance of all-American coupes," said Stoddard. "And it has to be a driver's machine, nimble and agile. If [show attendees] see a car that's international in appeal but distinctively American in character, we have a winner. The long hood emphasizes horsepower and rear-wheel drive. The expressive face, raking profile, and tapering rear glass give the Crossfire its American flavor. And its proportions and stance make it fit in just as well with some of the great small sports cars of Europe."

Design chief Creed explained that the Crossfire name came from the way the bodyside planes intersect like crossfire from above and below: "We think that emphasizes rear-wheel drive," he said. "That's what we like about it. It's got haunches and the wide areas on the back of the fender."

This sassy concept came from the same Chrysler studio that, for a decade, has been cranking out attractive and innovative "what ifs?"-the stuff the company struts each year on the auto show circuit. And, predictably, its gorgeous shapes, glistening brightwork, and exquisite attention to detail set a high standard. But there's a very critical difference between the Crossfire and most other show cars: It's actually as fast as it looks. No pushmobile this: It's a fully functional runner that could eventually go fender to fender with a Boxster S or a Mustang.

Normally, show cars are fragile parade wagons that have to be carefully nursed from heated transporters to carpeted show stands. Nobody drives them-at least, not hard. Otherwise, glued-on chrome bits fall off, fiberglass creaks and cracks, and handmade windshields often pop out of one of these stage props. In addition, with their wildly raked glass and super-low rooflines, show cars frequently prove uncomfortable, or even un-enterable, for full-size humans. But this is a show dog that hunts.

"You're going to be able to really drive this car," explained Creed. "Not with [a DaimlerChrysler watchdog] sitting next to you telling you not to exceed 25 mph. We realized that particularly with this car, that would be stupid. We wanted something that will really blow your socks off." Well, Mr. Creed, our toes are showing.

Unlike early dream cars, the Crossfire was engineered using sophisticated production-design software that plots every millimeter of vehicle geometry in order to properly design and integrate its aluminum suspension cradles, aluminum-composite carbon-fiber chassis, real brake system, and supercharged 2.7L V-6. It's also gone through a fully digitized packaging study to confirm that a real powertrain, two adults, and cargo do indeed fit.

The Crossfire's delicious bodywork has undergone wind-tunnel testing to investigate its high-speed stability.

But why the decision to fully engineer, and spend big bucks on, manufacturing and aero evaluations of what might be a one-off show car?