I’m sure it was someone far more learned who said “With great power comes great responsibility” — but, for now, my only recollection is of Spiderman’s uncle lecturing an impatient Spidey in the 2002 movie.
Those words popped into my head the first time I put my foot flat on the accelerator of the new Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 Roadster.
The absolute beast of a car responded as a sports car would, with the electronic stability programme (ESP) light flashing a few times as the wheels spun a little and forced me to tighten my grip on the steering wheel.
The five-speed automatic gearbox makes driving this car very easy whether you’re in gridlocked traffic or on the open road — where you will discover that there are no flat spots in the delivery of power.
Handling is superb, even when pushing hard through tricky bends.
The SRT6 uses its immense power to accelerate from zero to 100kph in about five seconds and it has an electronically governed top speed of 255kph.
The engine under the rather long snout is the 3,2-litre supercharged V6, which was inherited from the phenomenal Mercedes-Benz C32.
This car is an unapologetic sports car and has no qualms about trying to make the ride more comfortable as it focuses purely on performance and the sheer thrill of having 246kW and 420Nm on tap — most of which is available from 2 300rpm to 6 200rpm. Overtaking is an effortless exercise.
It has the presence that Arnold Schwarzenegger had in his Terminator days: a physically muscular specimen from any angle and one that you approach with requisite respect if you don’t want to be pummelled into your next life.
The suspension on the SRT6 is performance tuned with 225mm Michelins at the front and 255s at the back. The ventilated disc brakes, 18-inch alloys up front and 19-inch rims at the back all make for phenomenal braking power.
Safety comes in the form of antilock brakes, ESP, traction control and front and side airbags.
The seats are equipped with side bolsters with the SRT6 logo embroidered on the headrests. The interior features a chrome and aluminium-like presentation that I wasn’t entirely keen on, but the more time I spent in the SRT6, the more I appreciated the sportiness of the layout and it eventually grew on me.
The roof unhooks from the windscreen and, like most convertibles, it will not fold down until the partition in the boot is secured to provide space for the roof. The exterior features flared wheel arches, front and rear spoilers and a large grille.
The SRT6 comes equipped with a host of creature comforts that includes cruise control, electrically adjustable heated seats and dual-zone air-conditioning.
What’s nice about the SRT6 (which sells for R519 000) is that it has everything it needs to live up to its aggressive appearance.
The only problem with the Crossfire is that it has an insidious way of changing this normally placid driver into one who had to constantly hold herself back from taking up those on-road challenges from lesser cars.