|
#REDIRECT [[Willie Bauld]]
{{Infobox Automobile
|image=[[Image:Airflow.jpg|250px|Chrysler PT Cruiser with a Chrysler Airflow]]
|name=Chrysler PT Cruiser
|manufacturer=[[DaimlerChrysler]]
|production=2001–present
|class=[[Compact car|Compact]]
|body_style=2-door [[convertible]]<br>4-door [[station wagon]]
|predecessor=[[Plymouth Neon]]
|engine=2.4 L ''[[Chrysler Neon engine#2.4|EDZ]]'' [[I4]]
|transmission=4-speed ''[[Ultradrive|41TE]]'' automatic
|platform=[[FF layout|FF]] [[Chrysler PT platform|PT]]
|similar=[[Chevrolet HHR]]<br>[[Toyota Matrix]]
|designer=[[Brian Nesbitt]]
}}
The '''Chrysler PT Cruiser''' is a "[[retro]]"-styled [[station wagon]] built by [[Chrysler]], a [[marque]] of [[DaimlerChrysler]]. It has become Chrysler's entry-level vehicle (replacing the Plymouth Neon after the demise of the Plymouth marque), slotting below the [[Chrysler Sebring|Sebring]] in the lineup.
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 [[Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] for [[CAFE]] [[fuel economy]] calculations but as a car by most other metrics. A [[turbocharger|turbocharged]] GT model was introduced in the [[2003]] model year. A [[convertible]] was introduced for the 2005 model year.
The PT Cruiser was on ''[[Car and Driver]]'s'' [[Car and Driver Ten Best|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 [[United States|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 [[Europe]]an 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.
[[Image:Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible]]
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 player]]s 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==
[[Image:Chrysler PT Cruiser model.jpg|thumb|250px|Model of a Chrysler PT Cruiser]]
The PT Cruiser was originally meant to be a [[Plymouth automobile|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 [[Chrysler Pronto Cruizer|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.
==External links==
* [http://www.chrysler.com/pt_cruiser/index.html Official Chrysler PT Cruiser Site]
* [http://www.chrysler.com/pt_cruiser_convertible/index.html Official Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Site]
* [http://www.autoguidewiki.com/Chrysler_PT_Cruiser AutoGuideWiki.com]
* [http://www.ptcruiserlinks.com/ PT Cruiser Links]
* [http://www.ptenthusiasts.org/ PT Enthusiasts]
* [http://www.cruiserquarterly.com/index.php Cruiser Quarterly Magazine]
* [http://www.cardomain.com/MakeModel/Chrysler/PT Cruiser Chrysler PT Cruiser owners at CarDomain]
{{Chrysler}}
[[Category:Chrysler vehicles|PT Cruiser]]
[[Category:Front wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Compact cars]]
[[Category:Convertibles]]
[[Category:Station wagons]]
[[Category:2000s automobiles]]
[[de:Chrysler PT Cruiser]]
[[hr:Chrysler PT Cruiser]]
[[ja:クライスラー・PTクルーザー]]
[[no:Chrysler PT Cruiser]]
| 