Chrysler's reintroduction to the UK market has been a slow and steady one. We've had the Jeep range, the Neon saloon and the Voyager MPV. These were followed by the quirky and cool PT Cruiser family wagon, a hint of what was to come as far as the American retro looks and image were concerned. The latest two additions are the 300C luxury saloon and this car, the Crossfire sports coupe.

The Crossfire owes much to the tie up with Daimler, as it's based on a previous generation Mercedes-Benz, the SLK. One would never tell from the look of the thing though. Where the SLK was smooth but relatively restrained the Crossfire is very much an in-your-face, bold and brash design statement. First shown as a concept in 2001, reaction was so favourable that the coupe was on the market within three years.

It's clear to see that Chrysler is embracing its heritage throughout the range now and the Crossfire is no exception. It strikes a great balance between retro cool and modern design and looks very much more like a concept car than a production model, particularly when you look at those huge alloy rims. The attention to detail is impressive with almost no surface untouched or tinkered with in one way or another. Some of it may even be overly designed, but it certainly turns heads like very few others and most looks are of the approving sort.

The shape of the car, and its roots, dictate that it's a pure two seater, but this does mean that it is roomy for two and contrary to what the looks may suggest features a very usable boot, being both deep and wide - no doubt to accommodate the essential golf clubs. Cosseting two occupants, the Crossfire does with aplomb, with good quality leather heated seats and acres of head, leg and elbow room.

It's a little bit of a shame that the interior looks low rent in some places; no doubt that centre console looked great in aluminium or whatever material was there in the concept but in production it looks and feels cheap, as do the switches. It's a shame really but it devalues the interior. The dials are nice and clear and the minor controls are pleasant to use though. The gear-change is meaty and accurate, as is the steering although the wheel is a little too vertical for my liking.

On the move the Crossfire woofles along nicely. However, tyre noise is pronounced on rough surfaces and the low speed ride is a little lumpy - two direct consequences of those huge rims and their low profile tyres. Of course there is a flip side to this as the Crossfire enjoys prodigious levels of lateral grip - over 1g on the dry skidpan according to Chrysler's figures. Outright grip could never be in question with a 19-inch rear combined with an 18-inch front, but it isn't the answer to everything as the handling lacks a little in terms of subtlety and adjustability.

On cross-country routes the grip means that the deploying action of the rear spoiler is more or less redundant as it stays up pretty much permanently. The Crossfire lacks a little in terms of body control and the fineries of damping that ultimately limits progress but turn down the attack a couple of notches and you can enjoy the benefits of the grip, the nicely weighted - if a little numb - steering, the strong brakes and the soundtrack of the V6 engine.

The Mercedes sourced V6 betrays its roots in several places with the German manufacturer's name appearing on various hoses and clips under the bonnet. It also benefits from the hallmarks of a Mercedes engine namely an all but silent idle and a smooth and creamy torque biased persona. The 215bhp figure isn't impressive for 3.2 litres, but is an indication of the low revving nature (redlined at just 6000rpm) of the engine. Underway, the throttle response is crisp and the soundtrack is lovely with outright pace being the only facet absent from the delivery.

Compared to rivals the Crossfire's speed is a little lacking, but in isolation it never feels slow, a 0-60mph time of just over 7 seconds supports this, and the slick shifting six-speed 'box allows you to enjoy a good rate of progress as well as hushed cruising on the motorway. The 24mpg average achieved by us was a reflection of the cross-country blast biased journey type in the car - high twenties should be easy to come by when cruising.

Overall, the looks and head turning properties will be enough for many, as will its capabilities as a cool cruiser, two fortés undoubtedly accentuated by the removal of the roof in the Roadster variant. As a sporting coupe the Crossfire misses the target. As a style statement you have to say it's a bull's-eye. Those hungry for more performance can look to the 300 plus bhp range topping SRT-6, albeit at a price.

For me the price is something of an issue; £25k puts the Crossfire slap bang in the middle of what must be one of the most talent laden market sectors and really, I can't help thinking that Chrysler missed a little trick here. If they had sold this car for £3,000 less I think that many more would have sold. As it is I think it is different enough to win people's hearts based on the retro looks, but keen drivers will look more East-wards with the Nissan 350Z in particular being a most deadly rival. This aside the looks will secure many sales and we should applaud Chrysler for taking the plunge and offering the car for sale here; it deserves to succeed for being so different.