Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible (2005)

Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a "retro"-styled station wagon built by Chrysler, a marque of DaimlerChrysler, launched in 2001 as the entry-level Chrysler.

It was designed as a modern interpretation of the Chrysler Airflow with Dodge Neon components, but the final design used a separate platform.

The PT Cruiser bears a resemblance in size and shape to the 1997 Chrysler CCV prototype as well as the Plymouth Pronto concept from the same year. The styling of the latter elicited a better response from the auto show circuit, and would evolve into the styling of the PT Cruiser.

It is a front-wheel drive 5-passenger vehicle, classified as a truck by the EPA for CAFE fuel economy calculations but as a car by most other metrics. A turbocharged GT model was introduced for the 2003 model year. A convertible was introduced for the 2005 model year.

The PT Cruiser was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 2001 and won the North American Car of the Year award that year.

Officially, the "PT" stands for "Personal Transportation," but the initials also designate the car's platform. The Neon was based on the Chrysler PL platform, or "Platform Low," while the Cruiser was based on the Chrysler PT platform, for "Platform Tall." "PT" was also the production code for the PT Cruiser.

For the American market the car is manufactured at Toluca Car Assembly in Toluca, Mexico. DaimlerChrysler announced on March 8, 2006, that it had built 1,000,000 PT Cruisers at the Toluca plant since 2001. The European plant is in Graz, Austria, where the model was built only in 2002, using the production code PG. European PT Cruisers built in 2001 or from 2003 onwards are built in Mexico under the PT production code. The American version features a 2.4 L four-cylinder gasoline engine. In addition to this standard model, a 2.2 L diesel version is also available in Europe.

A 4-seat convertible model was added for 2005. It is a 2-door car with an integrated "sport bar" for added rigidity and rollover protection. It was also discovered that the sport bar also caused air to flow over the rear passengers, resulting in a less drafty ride for those in the rear seats.

The PT Cruiser was updated for 2006. Notable exterior features include scalloped headlights, a new grille, and redesigned taillights. Inside, an updated dashboard and more upscale materials are used. The audio system now features a line-in jack for MP3 players and is integrated into the dashboard, making it more difficult to replace with an aftermarket unit. The turbocharged 2.4 L engine is now available in 180 hp (134 kW) or "High-Output" 230 hp (172 kW) versions.

Design

The PT Cruiser was originally meant to be a Plymouth, before Chrysler's merger with Daimler-Benz. At the time, Chrysler had planned a new look for Plymouth, previewed by the Plymouth Prowler "hot rod". Styling cues from the Prowler, particularly the grille, were used to create the Plymouth Pronto concept in 1997. The look was refined, and in 1998, another Plymouth concept called the Pronto Cruizer directly previewed the styling of the PT Cruiser.

The new DaimlerChrysler firm did not have much faith in Plymouth as a separate entity, and began steps to rationalize and cancel the marque. Consequently, the PT Cruiser appeared in public only as a Chrysler.

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