2004 Chrysler Crossfire & Pacifica: The Handsome Americans with German Accents
The marriage of Daimler and Chrysler was finally bringing some offspring, such as the Chrysler Crossfire. This rear-wheel-drive coupe was essentially a Mercedes-Benz SLK320 in Chrysler clothing. Built in Germany, the Crossfire had a 215-hp 3.2-liter V6 engine with either a 6-speed manual, or a 5-speed automatic transmission. Suspension, though, was tuned somewhat differently, and brakes were from the SLK. However since the Crossfire was a coupe, it boasted a stiffer structure than its open top Benz brother. Also bearing a fair bit of Mercedes-Benz DNA was the Chrysler Pacifica, which was a mix of minivan, station wagon and SUV. Riding on a chassis that borrowed parts from the entire Daimler Chrysler family, the Pacifica had a 3.5-liter V6 and a 4-speed automatic that it shared with the 300M. The 5-link, independent, load leveling rear suspension and the brakes were pirated directly from the Mercedes-Benz E-class. The Pacifica was 10 in. longer than an Acura MDX or Honda Pilot, had a wheelbase that was close to that of a regular-cab full-size pickup truck and weighed about 4500 pounds. There was plenty of room for six spread out over three seating rows.
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