All-New 2004 Chrysler Crossfire Rides on Next Generation Michelin(R) Pilot Sport(R) Tires

New Michelin(R) Pilot Sport(R) tires provide ultimate high-performance ride to Chrysler's new international sports coupe

GREENVILLE, S.C., April 22 -- Great lines! That's what many people will be saying when they take a look at the all-new 2004 Chrysler Crossfire when it hits dealerships mid-summer in North America and Europe. They'll probably be saying the same thing when they take a look at the next generation Michelin(R) Pilot Sport(R) tires fitted on the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire.

Michelin took the current Michelin Pilot Sport tire -- the industry's benchmark in ultra-high performance tires for the past five years -- and made it even better. The design is a unique and innovative asymmetric, dual- compound tread design which reduces road noise while the wide circumferential grooves displace water to the front and rear of the tire for a substantial increase in wet handling compared to other tires in its class. The outer half of the tread has a hybrid silica/carbon black compound tuned for powerful cornering and traction while the inner half of the tire tread has a high- silica compound optimized for wet handling and high-speed durability.

"What we've achieved with the next generation Pilot Sport is the ability to maintain top performance and handling while increasing comfort and reducing road noise," said Tom Chubb, vice president of marketing, Michelin Automotive Industry Division. "The new Pilot Sport is the perfect choice for the all-new 2004 Chrysler Crossfire and its sports car mission."

The 2004 Chrysler Crossfire is a low-slung, two seat sports coupe with a sculptured appearance. Under its hood is a 3.2-liter 90-degree V-6, 18-vale SOHC engine available with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

To enhance Chrysler Crossfire's "Route 66 meets the Autobahn" theme, the next generation Michelin Pilot Sport tires provide world-class dry handling, excellent wet performance and confident, predictable cornering. Rated up to 186mph, the exact placement of thin, yet strong individual Aramid/nylon hybrid filaments -- rather than the bands used in most tires -- provides extremely precise control of the tire's shape for uncommon high-speed handling and durability.

"These are mammoth 19-inch rear tires on the Chrysler Crossfire, and the 18-inch front tires aren't anything to scoff at either," Chubb said. "Changing from the directional and symmetric tread design to the next generation Pilot Sport and its noise-minimizing asymmetric and non-directional tread design has allowed us to finely tune these tires for Crossfire. In development testing, the Chrysler Crossfire set the standard by achieving exceptionally high lateral acceleration with these next generation Pilot Sport tires."

The 2004 Chrysler Crossfire marks the debut of the next generation Michelin Pilot Sport tires. The Rear tires are 255/35ZR19 96Y XL Pilot Sport while the front tires are 225/40ZR18 88Y XL Pilot Sport. A full line of the next generation Michelin Pilot Sport will be available to the replacement market in 2004.

Michelin manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelin.com ) employs 24,640 and operates 22 plants in 18 locations.