The TT - Crossfire resemblance

[hiwayman17]

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews &loc_code=&content_code=01092876

[jochi]

Thumbs down. That metal trimmed a-pillar is nasty. The art-deco theme of the front end looks out of place on a sports coupe. The whole design is overdone and contrived.

[hiwayman17]

I still like Crossfire better than TT.

[Slack00]

I totally agree with you there, Highwayman17; as well-esteemed the styling is of the TT, I still don't think I would ever buy one (based upon the looks). The Crossfire, on the other hand, is completely gorgeous (imho). This car is one among many choices that causes me grief from indecision...

Now...if they'd only drop in the AMG supercharged version of that 3.2 engine....you just know somebody will (if the factory or the dealer won't).... http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif

Can you also believe that this car is lighter than the SLK it shares its platform (and part of its interior) with? I guess that folding roof adds quite a bit of wieght...correct me if I'm wrong, but the SLK weights a portly-for-its-size 3.2k lbs, but the crossfire will weigh 3k lbs.

Out of curiosity, what products has Karmann produced recently?

[hiwayman17]

Direct from Karmann's website:

Karmann builds cars for major automobile manufacturers. Since 1949, we have produced nearly 3,000,000 complete vehicles, assuring Karmann´s position as one of the world´s leading full service suppliers to the automotive industry. Currently, we assemble the Mercedes Benz CLK Convertible and Coupe at our facility in Osnabrück. We manufacture modules and components such as the body shell and the top for the Renault Mégane Convertible in Rheine and the body shell modules for the Mercedes Benz SLK in Osnabrück. Also the production of the Audi Convertible takes place in Rheine.

[hiwayman17]

Opps, I missed a few things...

We also produce modules for automobile manufacturers in addition to the well known vehicles that come off the line at Karmann. These include body shell modules, such as those for the Mercedes-Benz SLK, complete body shells and tops for the Renault Mégane convertible, and top frames for the Jaguar XK8 convertible.

In addition, Karmann supplies the Mexican VW plant in Puebla - which makes all the Golf convertibles for the North American market - with all convertible-specific components from its production of Golf convertibles at Osnabrück.

The Softop Production section is regarded as a system supplier which covers not only our own requirements i.e. for the VW Golf Convertible, the Mercedes-Benz CLK Convertible and the Renault Mégane Convertible. It also produces the softtops and frames for other carmakers such as Jaguar and Aston Martin, and in addition supplies complete softtops for production of VW Golf Convertible in Mexico.

The Roof Center carries out cutting out, HF welding and upholstering. The core of the cutting process is a CNC cutting unit that allows individual pieces to be cut out to an accuracy of less than a millimetre. The individual pieces are welded together by means of our HF welding technology that has been proven over many years of use to produce a top that is watertight and is free of stresses and strains. In addition, the rear window is welded directly into the top in the case of the VW Golf convertible.

[hiwayman17]

The "nasty metal" trim around the windshield....ah, it's just a test mule...I wouldn't expect that to make it to production.

[Slack00]

Good info, Highwayman17.

Unfortunately, the silver front windshield surround is a major design element; its not going anywhere. It just wasn't apparant on the silver painted show vehicle. But it doesn't bother me. If I got one, I think I would buy a black one, and it would probably look really good against black.

[CoCo_PuFf]

I liked the first crossfire concept.....that thing looked insane and outrageous....not to mention georgeous. the new front design looks out of place IMHO....it looks like it starts as a midsize luxury car and ends as a sports car http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/crazy.gif

http://www.cardesignnews.com/events/detroit2001/features/chrysler-crossfire/images/crossfire-frt4.jpg
http://www.cardesignnews.com/events/detroit2001/features/chrysler-crossfire/images/crossfire-side2.jpg
NOW this was one hell of a design!! http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif ....right up there with the viper IMHO.

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/pictures/233834.jpg
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/pictures/233836.jpg
this is still ok but doesn't have the same appeal http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/frown.gif .....why....why?....now the car looks like it's for old people (not saying you guys are old... http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif ) and it will probably only sell to old people. http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/frown.gif

[FanaticZ]

looks good compared to the tt, but weak compared to the concept. http://www.canadianautoreview.com/crossfire-rear-900.jpg

[hiwayman17]

About a week ago I got a mailer from Chrysler with "official production" pictures of the Crossfire and not one of the cars in the brochure has that funky windshield trim.

[Slack00]

Oh really? Hmmm.....I wonder why the first photo shows it silver, then....maybe it's an optional paint scheme or something....

[CoCo_PuFf]

gotta love the back windsheild (the crease)