Cars that carry the silver-winged badge of Chrysler from DaimlerChrysler multiply in the 2005 line with edgy new models ranging from a stately sports touring sedan to a souped-up sports coupe and two-seat roadster plus a pop-top version of the retro-styled PT Cruiser.

Chrysler's crossover wagon is large -- as long as the biggest sedan and equally wide, with a prominent hood and broad grille consuming the face between corner clusters of projector-style headlamps. It has lots of doors - a pair of portals on each flank plus a top-hinged liftgate at the rear. Inside there are up to three rows of seats with individual buckets for rows one and two and a split bench in back that cradles two comfortably or three in a pinch.

For 2005 Chrysler is building three versions of Pacifica. The base edition installs seats for five on two rows. Pacifica Touring offers space for six configured in 2+2+2 layout. Both models also appear with front-wheel-drive (FWD) or on-demand AWD traction. The top model Pacifica Limited comes with AWD traction solely and luxury goods in a cab rigged for three tiers. The standard engine for FWD Pacifica is a 3.8-liter V6, while AWD Pacifica stocks a 3.5-liter V6 tuned to 250 hp.

The spirited two-seater from Chrysler debuted in 2004 as a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) sports coupe blending slick American car styling with a chassis and parts from Germany via Mercedes. Original issues stocked a six-pack aluminum plant with a six-speed manual gearbox or optional five-speed automatic and Chrysler's AutoStick selective shifter. For 2005, the collection expands dramatically with open-top roadster editions plus powerhouse options for both coupe and roadster.
The Crossfire Roadster wears a fabric soft top that stows behind a rigid tonneau lid and it draws from the V6 powertrain of the original coupe. The Crossfire SRT-6 is a swift new coupe or roadster stocking a hand-built V6 supercharged to 330 hp.

Crossfire's retractable spoiler at the tail deploys above a designated speed of 60 mph to exert more aerodynamic force on the rear tires, but on the SRT-6 the spoiler is locked in place. New Limited models for coupe and roadster reflect a monochromatic paint treatment and carry luxury gear, along with high-tech car controls like an electronic stabilization program (ESP) to prevent wheels from skidding laterally.

The wild five-door wagon from Chrysler appears in four versions for 2005 with three powertrain choices. Models include the base PT Cruiser, Cruiser Touring, Limited and GT. The first three pull from the base plant, a naturally aspirated twin-cam 2.4-liter in-line-four set at 150 hp. For the Limited, a turbo-charged plant pumped to 180 hp is optional with an automatic transaxle, larger wheels and tires, leather-clad cabin and chrome decoration. The GT pushes a turbo 2.4-liter four-in-line tuned for high output at 220 hp with a Getrag heavy-duty manual five-speed and sport-tuned suspension settings. (CONTINUED...)