Though Chrysler
is best known for its lineup of luxury vehicles, the brand has produced a handful of speedy sports cars in the last few decades, including the Prowler, Conquest, and Crossfire
. Believe it or not, Chrysler was once at the forefront of automotive innovation—take one look at the unique design of the Prowler and you’ll know that it’s true! When Chrysler teamed up with Plymouth
, Mercedes-Benz
, and Mitsubishi
, it created some truly spectacular sports cars. Want to learn more? Jerry
, our top-rated insurance super app
, has the whole story. We’ll go over Chrysler's most influential sports cars, walk through a brief history of the brand, and even show you how to save serious cash on Chrysler car insurance
. Does Chrysler make sports cars?
As of 2022, Chrysler does not make any sports cars. The Chrysler 300
is the closest thing Chrysler has to a high-performance sports car, but it’s technically a midsize luxury sedan. If you want to see a real Chrysler sports car, you have to look at the annals of history. Let’s jump back in time to see some of Chrysler’s coolest designs.
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowChrysler Prowler
The Chrysler Prowler, originally called the Plymouth Prowler, was a fast, funky, retro-style roadster that hit the streets between 1997 and 2002. Chrysler wanted to get creative, so its engineers were given artistic freedom to design a “hot rod” style car.
The result? One of the most fascinating designs in Chrysler history. With open, racing-style front wheels, a wide frame, and a 3.5L V6 engine, the Prowler invoked the style of 1930s-era hot rods. In 1999, the engine was amped up to 253 horsepower, propelling the Prowler from 0 to 60 mph in a swift 5.9 seconds.
Though the Prowler looked like it belonged in a museum showroom, it was actually a fully-functional consumer car, complete with airbags, air conditioning, leather-trimmed seats, keyless entry, and plenty of other helpful features. If you want this piece of Chrysler history in your garage, you should be able to find a used Prowler for about $30,000 today!
Chrysler Conquest
First known as the Mitsubishi Starion, the Chrysler Conquest was rebranded and sold in the USA under the makes Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth. Basically, the Conquest is what you’d get if you took the DMC DeLorean, removed the gull-wing doors, and added a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Put another way, it was a movie star car with a sleek Japanese design.
Unfortunately, the production of the Conquest wrapped up in 1989, just a few years after it was introduced. It didn’t quite have the power to compete with the decade's top sports cars, and its 21 mpg combined fuel rating wasn’t doing it any favors with fuel-conscious consumers.
Still, the Conquest will go down in Chrysler history as an unforgettable—if short-lived—addition to the portfolio of Chrysler’s ingenious engineering.
Chrysler Crossfire
Now we’re talking: the Chrysler Crossfire, which was modeled after the Mercedes-Benz SLK Class
, is Chrysler’s best-known contribution to the world of sports cars. The baseline Chrysler Crossfire, produced from 2004 to 2008, was motivated by a 3.2L V6 that churned out 215 horsepower. Drivers with a lead foot could opt for the mighty Crossfire SRT-6, which supercharged the Crossfire’s V6 into a 330-horsepower beast.
Power wasn’t all the Crossfire had going for it, though! The car’s wide body, distinct exterior styling, and vibrant color schemes were sure to turn heads wherever it went. If you’re a Chrysler enthusiast, you should have no trouble finding a pre-owned Crossfire—the model sold over 75,000 units before its discontinuation.
A brief history of the Chrysler sports car
The Prowler, Conquest, and Crossfire might be Chrysler’s best-known sports cars—but they’re just the tip of the iceberg! Let’s dive into the full history behind the make’s world-famous sports cars.
1939: Chrysler introduces the Saratoga. Initially marketed as a sport luxury model, the Saratoga went through five incarnations, culminating in the 1965 Saratoga, which featured a 6.8L V8 engine. Though it wasn’t labeled a sports car, the Saratoga was one of Chrysler’s first performance-oriented sedans!
1987: The first Chrysler Conquest rolls off the lot, marking the beginning of Chrysler’s modern-era sports cars.
1991: Chrysler-owned Dodge produces the ultra-quick Viper. The Viper is produced for 26 years, peaking at 645 horsepower and a 3.5-second 0-60 time.
2004: Chrysler’s most famous sports car, the Crossfire, hits the market. Since its discontinuation in 2008, Chrysler has focused on luxury vehicles and minivans, leaving the business of sports cars to its peers, Alfa Romeo
and Maserati
. 2011: The Chrysler 300 enters its second generation, boasting up to 470 horsepower (in the SRT-8). With sales topping 1.3 million units, the 300 is the cornerstone of Chrysler’s brand today.
How to save money on Chrysler insurance
Whether you’re just taking a trip down memory lane or you drive a sporty Chrysler of your own, you’ll want to make sure it’s got the best insurance policy. Thankfully, we’ve got a way for you to do just that—and land some knockout savings in the process!
Introducing Jerry
, our car insurance comparison super app. After you sign up in 45 seconds, Jerry will comb through the lowest prices from more than 50 top insurers, delivering the top ones directly to your fingertips! Tap your favorite, and our talented insurance team will get you started on the road to savings. Speaking of savings, just how much does the average Jerry driver save? Over $800 annually—and that’s just on car insurance! Join the team of over two million Jerry users today, and get the insurance rate that you deserve.
“Jerry
has amazing communication! And even better deals! Thanks to Jerry, I went from $327 to $182 on my payments. I’m so grateful!” —Kim T.
RECOMMENDEDThis app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍