Chrysler PT Cruiser

The PT Cruiser is a front-wheel drive 5-passenger vehicle, classified as a truck in the US by the NHTSA for CAFE fuel economy calculations but as a car by most other metrics. Chrysler specifically designed the PT Cruiser to fit the NHTSA criteria for a light truck in order to bring the average fuel efficiency of the company's truck fleet into compliance with CAFE standards.[8] A turbocharged GT model was introduced for the 2003 model year. A convertible was introduced for the 2005 model year.

The PT Cruiser was manufactured at Toluca Car Assembly in Toluca, Mexico. On March 8, 2006, DaimlerChrysler announced that it had built 1,000,000 PT Cruisers at the Toluca plant.[9] The final PT Cruiser built rolled off the assembly line there on July 9, 2010. A Chrysler spokesperson said the last model was Stone White and was destined for a U.S. dealership. In all, a grand total of 1,050,281 PT Cruisers were sold in the United States.

European Chrysler PT Cruiser

The PT Cruiser was also assembled at the Eurostar Automobilwerk in Graz, Austria, for global markets (outside North America) in 2002, using the production code PG. European PT Cruisers built in 2001 or from 2003 onwards were built in Mexico under the PT production code. The US version came standard with a 2.4 L four-cylinder gasoline engine. In addition to this standard model, a 2.2 L four-cylinder diesel engine built by Mercedes Benz was also available in Europe, Asia, and South Africa. A 2.0 L engine (D4RE) was also available outside the US. It produced 140 hp (104 kW) SAE at 6500 rpm with 130 lb⋅ft (176 N⋅m) of torque at 4800 rpm. In July 2000, the PT Cruiser replaced the Neon in Japan as their small car offering. Chrysler sold over 10,000 PT Cruisers in Japan. Both the five-door hatchback and the two-door convertible, and the GT turbo engine package were sold in Japan in right-hand drive configurations. Japanese versions were manufactured at the Austrian factory and were equipped very similarly to European specifications.

From 2002 until 2007, the PT Cruiser was used in the city of Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture by the Maihama Resort Cab company to serve as a taxi in the vicinity of Tokyo Disneyland because of its fun, retro appearance. The PT Cruiser taxis augmented the Maihama Resort Line service to Tokyo Disneyland. Unfortunately, the PT Cruiser wasn't built for the rigors of taxi service, and the fleet became expensive to maintain, with eventual retirement in 2007. The PT Cruiser was offered in Japan until April 2010, when it was replaced by the Dodge Caliber.

In 2001 Car and Driver acknowledged the PT Cruiser on its Ten Best list and the PT Cruiser also won the North American Car of the Year. In 2013, Top Gear named the PT Cruiser Convertible as the worst car of the last twenty years.[10]

The PT Cruiser was part of the nostalgia wave that included models such as the Volkswagen New Beetle and the Mini Cooper. However, rather than being modern renditions of the original namesake models, the PT Cruiser was a new design based on a compilation of design cues from the 1930s and 1940s.[11]

Intended to evoke a 1930s look, the 2000 PT Cruiser grew out of a collaboration with Robert A. Lutz, who was an executive at Chrysler at the time, Dr. Clotaire Rapaille, and Bryan Nesbitt.[12] Nesbitt later went on to design the Chevrolet HHR.

The PT Cruiser's design was loosely inspired by the Chrysler Pronto Cruizer concept car, which was a car that was styled after the Chrysler and Desoto Airflow, the PT Cruiser's back is slightly similar to the one that was made for the Chrysler CCV which was a retro-styled compact vehicle that was styled after the Citroen 2CV. The PT Cruiser was inspired by both of the previous-mentioned vehicles and had a high roof that was very reminiscent of the Chevrolet Advance Design trucks.[13]

The introduction of the PT Cruiser was described as "segment busting" in the marketplace. Crysler's Dieter Zetsche described it as a continuing example of the automaker's innovation for new segments as well as "demonstrates that you can have head-turning style, practicality, and value all in one package."[14]

The reaction to the PT Cruiser, in general, was "people either loved them or hated them" while for some owners the care became a "cult following."[11]

Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible

Chrysler PT Cruiser Classic hatchback (Australia)

PT Cruiser models included the Classic Edition, Limited Edition, Touring Edition, "Dream Cruiser", "Street Cruiser", "Pacific Coast Highway Edition", and PT Cruiser GT. Non-GT Turbo (180 hp (134 kW)) edition models (introduced in 2004) were identified by a "2.4L Turbo" badge on the lower right-hand corner of the rear lift-gate. The GT model (introduced in 2003) has a "2.4L Turbo High Output" badge on the right-hand corner of the lift-gate indicating the 215–230 hp engine version.

The PT Cruiser was updated for 2006 to include scalloped headlights, a revised grille no longer extending below the "bumper", new lower front fascia which eliminated the patented brake cooling ducts, and redesigned taillights as well as available round fog lamps. The changes reduced the "retro vibe" that did not satisfy some customers as well as "exposing the main pitfall of retro design: How do you update old?"[11]

Interior updates included a revised interior with an updated dash with an analog clock in the center stack. The audio system featured a line-in jack for MP3 players integrated into the dash. Features such as satellite radio, a premium sound system by Boston Acoustics with external amplifier and subwoofer, and UConnect hands-free Bluetooth for compatible cell phones also became available in 2006. The standard audio system now included an AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player and a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary audio input jack with six speakers, replacing a cassette player and four speakers. The turbocharged 2.4 L I4 was available in 180 hp (134 kW) or "High-Output" 230 hp (172 kW) versions. A "Mopar" cruise control unit became available as an aftermarket unit on 2007 models. Also in 2007, Chrysler dealers were permitted to order vehicles with separate options (unbundled options from option packages) such as anti-lock brakes and Side Impact Airbags. Sirius Satellite Radio also became an option that could be installed as a dealer option with a factory appearance (i.e. roof mount satellite antenna).

For 2010, the last year of production for the PT Cruiser, there was only one trim level available: the PT Cruiser Classic. It included a 2.4 L I4 engine producing 150 hp (112 kW), a standard four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, an AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player, 3.5-millimeter auxiliary audio input jack and six speakers, a rear-mounted spoiler, standard air conditioning, standard cruise control, standard tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), standard front and front side SRS airbags, standard keyless entry with two remotes and panic alarm, standard ABS anti-lock brakes, standard sixteen-inch alloy wheels, and more. Optional features included leather seating surfaces, a power front driver's bucket seat, an engine block heater, a power tilt-and-sliding sunroof, and heated dual front bucket seats. Exterior color options were Bright Silver Metallic, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat, Inferno Red Crystal Tinted Pearl Coat, Silver Steel Metallic, and Stone White Clear Coat. The only interior color option was Pastel Slate Gray.

In 2002 Euro NCAP gave the PT Cruiser a three (out of five) stars rating. The car received bad results in the frontal impact test (6 out of 16 possible points). The height of the seats and side airbags helped to attain a maximum score of 16 points in the side impact test. The low frontal scores are in part explained by the cushioning near the knees, designed to protect unbelted occupants, which is not a factor in the EU where passengers must wear seat belts.[15]

For 2008, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the PT Cruiser the highest rating of Good overall for occupant protection in frontal crashes and the lowest overall rating of Poor for side crashes.[16] It was the only small car to not offer electronic stability control.[17][18]

5-door hatchback

• Base- Included 5-speed manual transmission, AM/FM stereo with a cassette player (or single-disc CD player and auxiliary audio input jack for 2006–2009 models) and 6 premium speakers, manual roll-up windows (later standard power windows), and manual door locks (later standard power door locks), fifteen-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, cloth seating surfaces, and folding rear seat.
• Touring- Added AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player, power windows and door locks, and keyless entry to Base.
• Touring Signature Series- Added Boston Acoustics premium speakers with an external amplifier, alloy wheels, and exterior color-keyed details to Touring. Special W.P. Chrysler Signature Series emblems on front fenders.
• Limited- Added AM/FM stereo with cassette and CD players (later six-disc CD/MP3 changer) and Infinity (later Boston Acoustics) premium speakers with an external amplifier, chromed alloy wheels, and leather-and-suede-trimmed seating surfaces with heated front seats to Touring.
• Street Cruiser- Added body kit, special alloy wheels, and color-keyed exterior details.
• GT- Added high-performance 2.4L Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) engine, special alloy wheels, and body kit to Limited. GT Cruiser emblem on tailgate.
• Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series – 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008
• Limited Edition Platinum Series – 2004 only
• Dream Cruiser Series – 2002–2005, 2009 only- Added two-tone paint scheme and special alloy wheels.
• Sport – see below
• Classic – 2010 only- Same features as Touring trim level with alloy wheels.
• Couture – 2010 only- Added single exterior color option and two-toned leather-trimmed interior to Classic.

2-door convertible (same features as 5-door hatchback models with power-retractable cloth convertible top)

• Base
• GT
• Touring
• Limited (Australia)

The PT Cruiser GT (also known as the GT Cruiser) is a high output turbocharged hot hatch variant of the PT Cruiser introduced as a 2003 model. The engine is upgraded over the standard PT, including: stronger crankcase webbing, a thicker deck with 11 mm head bolts (vs 10 mm), an oil drain back for the turbo, a cast aluminum structural oil pan, a higher capacity oil pump, a crankshaft of higher hardness steel, improved machining of bearing journals, oil squirters (to cool underside of pistons), eutectic aluminum alloy pistons made specially by Mahle, and forged connecting rods with cracked caps and 9 mm bolts. The cylinder head was also different for turbo engines, from naturally aspirated. The turbo version was used by both the PT Cruiser GT and Dodge Neon SRT-4 with larger diameter valves and seats, exhaust valves made of Inconel, improved cooling as well as larger oil drain back passages, and different camshafts. The PT Cruiser Turbo engine package differs from the SRT-4 because the intake manifold, turbocharger plumbing, and intercooler are different. Upgrades such as MOPAR Stage 1 and supporting turbo components were available from the manufacturer. Many of the performance parts from the SRT-4 are compatible with the PT Cruiser GT.

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT, 2.4L Turbo

Performance

• 215 hp (160 kW) @ 5000 rpm and 245 lb⋅ft (332 N⋅m) @ 3600 rpm (2003–2005)[19]
• 230 hp (172 kW) @ 5100 rpm and 245 lb⋅ft (332 N⋅m) @ 2400 rpm (2006–2007)[19]
• Top speed 125 mph (201 km/h) (Governor limited)

Standard features

• Autostick or 5-speed Getrag manual transmission
• 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control
• Larger disc-brake rotors and Turbo calipers
• Chromed 17" wheels with P205/50R17 tires
• Body-color monotone front fascia with larger, lower openings
• Body-color monotone rear fascia with larger exhaust opening
• Specially tuned suspension (which also dropped the height 1 inch)
• Performance-tuned exhaust system with a large diameter chrome exhaust tip

The Chrysler Panel Cruiser was a design study that appeared at the 2000 Detroit Auto Show.[27] Based on the PT Cruiser, it featured panels in place of the rear doors and a wooden floor in place of the rear seats.[27] The Panel Cruiser was designed to mix elements of classic American panel trucks with those of a sports sedan. It rolled on 17-inch chrome wheels with 215/45 tires. The rear interior space featured a full wood floor with bright skid strips and wood bars along with the side quarter panels with cargo straps providing a multi-use cargo area.[28]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chrysler PT Cruiser.

• Chrysler.com – 2001 PT Cruiser homepage, through Internet Archive
• Chrysler PT Cruiser at Curlie
• Official Chrysler UK Press Release
• Chrysler PT Cruiser at the Internet Movie Cars Database
• Chrysler Japan website (in Japanese)