We lifted the lid on...

We lifted the lid on plans for a drop-top version of the coupнѓ© a year ago in issue 687, but the firm has remained tight-lipped - until now. The car appeared last week at the Detroit Motor Show, and a spokesman for Chrysler"s UK division told us: "We can confirm that it is going into production and should arrive here mid-summer."

He added that dealers are now taking orders for the car, which is expected to cost about н‚бЈ29,000. But the spokesman advised customers to get in early, as the British allocation of 2,000 is expected to sell out fast. As with the Coupнѓ©, the Roadster will be produced by German coachbuilder Karmann and take power from the same 214bhp 3.2-litre V6 engine.

As it"s based on the current Mercedes SLK"s platform, the car hasn"t required much engineering and stiffening. However, the Chrysler has a traditional fabric hood, rather than following the trend for a folding metal roof.

The Crossfire"s lid has to be manually unlatched before it can be folded away electrically by pressing a dash-mounted button. Once down, the top is hidden beneath a sculptured tonneau cover which blends neatly with the model"s curvy rear end. Both driver and passenger are protected by rollover hoops.