Chrysler PT Cruiser News

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And like the ultimate survivor - the cockroach - it now seems that anything short of a nuclear holocaust will not be enough to put an end to the vehicle. All but dead and buried earlier this year when United States media outlets quoted then Chrysler president Tom LaSorda as confirming the end of production for the little sedan, the hot-rod look-alike bounced back this week with news that production would continue unabated.As happened to the previously-condemned Dodge Viper, the PT Cruiser has been spat out at the end of the Chrysler bankruptcy restructuring as a car with a future - and quite a past.Almost unchanged since its launch in 2000, more than 1.3 million PT Cruisers have been sold in 60 countries - including 7000 in Australia.Chrysler Australia spokesman Jerry Stamoulis says that while sales of the PT Cruiser have been "quiet" and "supply affected" recently the car will continue to be offered as part of the Australian model range."It is still a model we have demand for and we will continue to offer it," Stamoulis says. "We have been given no indication at this stage on what sort of supply we can expect but the news that the PT Cruiser will continue to be built is all good."In June only nine PT Cruisers were sold in Australia, compared to 41 for the same month the previous year while first half sales this year plunged to 49 against 191 for the same period in 2008."Our strongest interest is still from the small business sector where the car is still enough of an attention grabber to perform strongly as a mobile advertisement," Stamoulis says. "The Cruiser may be eight years old but the original design is still flexible enough to do duty as a functional sedan or a small delivery van."Stamoulis says there is also an extremely strong loyalty factor amongst original PT Cruiser owners. "We are now finding that people who bought the car when it was first released here are now coming back to upgrade to a new car. The loyalty is amazing and that is also shown in the strength of the PT Cruiser owners clubs."There was no indication in this week's announcement of any styling or engineering updates for the PT Cruiser which will continue to be built at the Toluca (Mexico) assembly plant.The PT Cruiser is available in Australia in three specification levels - Grand Tourer, Limited and Touring with a single choice of a 1.5kW 2.4-litre four cylinder engine coupled to a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual. Pricing starts at $31,990 topping out at $37,690.

The high-end Italian fashion label worked with the Korean carmaker for more than four months on the project, which will result in a very limited edition of three cars to be called the Genesis Prada.The makeover includes Prada-designed — and built – 20” alloy wheels, matte metallic midnight blue paint set off by accents in titanium and dark matte gold plating on the badging, radiator grill and exterior handles.In the cabin, Prada’s signature ‘saffiano’ leather was used to give “a luxurious and sophisticated finish” to the artisan-crafted dashboard and upholstery. And anybody who’s been within hand’s reach of the fashion house’s shoes or bags will be betting that press blurb statement is, for once, not too far from the truth.This isn’t the first time there has been a collaboration between the catwalk and the car industry.French `luggagerie’ Hermes last year worked with Bugatti on the Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès. Hitting the showroom floor at an estimated $3 million-plus, the Fbg featured interior surfaces “sheathed in bull calfskin” – although why the little girl calves were shunned for the task, nobody could explain.Among other touches, the door handles echo the shape of those on Hermes travel bags, and glovebox was redesigned to hold “a selection of small travel accessories and a zipped Hermes wallet” while the leather-lined trunk carries a specially fitted hand-made case.Even as far back as nearly four decades ago, Italian brand Gucci kitted-out a car for the American Motor Corporation – the manufacturer that bought the struggling Harley-Davidson badge and further ruined it before the Davidson family redeemed it into the merchandising powerhouse of today.For AMC, Gucci ran the red, green and beige livery over the trim of the 1972-73 Hornet ‘Sportabout’ station wagon. It was hideous, of course. And sold like hotcakes in the US. Naturally.Louis Vuitton’s history has long been tied to transportation – as the inventor of the first `trunk’ — so no surprises when it got in on the act with Chrysler for a version of the retro PT Cruiser. The Louis Vuitton Edition included extra chrome, ‘LV’ logo fabric upholstery and saddle leather trim.And not all the action has been overseas. Australia’s own Carla Zampatti redesigned a Ford specifically for the women’s market. The Carla Zampatti Ford Laser first appeared in 1985, and was followed two years later by more Lasers and Ford Meteors. Whether or not they won over the woman buyer remains open to question. But they had to have a better impact than the crowded cleavages of Ford’s later ute ads.And Aussie surfwear brand Rip Curl – which our Gen-Y workmates swear is a fashion house (like … totally awesome) – has teamed up with Renault for a version of the little Clio.Oddly not available here, but still aimed at the yoof market, the Clio Rip Curl has body graphics and “ocean inspired” paintwork in Ice Blue – a name that, however, suggests the inspiration may have come instead from amphetamines.There’s also a range of special options for the Clio ‘Ripped’ (as we’ve rechristened it), including an easy-clean cargo area and rubber matting. Both of which will make it a snap to hose out the Schoolies Week regurgitated alcopops.And thankfully, there’s also turn-by-turn satnav, because – ripped or not — that generation clearly has no idea where it’s going.

US media quotes Chrysler president Tom LaSorda as confirming the end of production for the retro-styled sedan, launched in 2000."Since the announcement of PT Cruiser Cabrio last year, there have been a number of exaggerated reports announcing the end of the PT Cruiser model," Chrysler Australia's Jerry Stamoulis says. "To date, there has been no communication from the Chrysler product team that suggests PT Cruiser production will end."Over one million PT Cruisers have been sold worldwide and the vehicle remains an important part of our Australian portfolio."Stamoulis says the quotes relate to the sale of production tooling for the PT Cruiser."It is not unusual within Chrysler that a buyer will be sought for tooling and equipment from a model that is in the process of generational change," he says."PT Cruiser is at that stage of its model life and as I understand it Mr LaSorda's quotes are relative to that process."If the Cruiser were to be axed it would be the seventh cancelled since Cerberus Capital Management bought Chrysler in 2007.The Dodge Magnum wagon and Durango SUV, the Chrysler Crossfire, PT Cruiser convertible, Aspen SUV and Pacifica SUV have been discontinued. Chrysler is reportedly looking to sell the Dodge Viper. 

Sebring or Avenger? That is the choice as Chrysler looks to cull one of its mid-sized models in a company-wide simplification program that will create more casualties. Chrysler's Crossfire, PT Cruiser convertible, Pacifica wagon and Dodge Magnum wagon were all given a death sentence last year and the company's new president, Jim Press, confirms there will be more cuts as it looks to revitalise its bottom line. Press says many model duplications will be removed to ensure three distinct paths for the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands. Dodge will concentrate on performance, Jeep on adventure lifestyle and Chrysler will be the luxury brand. The Sebring and Avenger are the same car in different clothes and Press admits one will go. “Yes. But we don't have a timeline,” he says. “Directionally, we realise that's where we have to go.” Chrysler design director Trevor Creed says the decision will be made at model changeover. “We're not talking about now. We're talking about next generation,” he says. “At the next generation we'll decide which one will be renewed and which one will be hasta la vista. “That's something that will have to be determined and marketing will come to me and say, `We've decided we're going to do this segment again and this time only Chrysler — or only Dodge.” The current Sebring and Avenger were launched only last year, so they should live for at least four years despite the death sentence, making it easier to fit a single replacement into a new strategy. “Once the strategic direction is clear and we've decided what we want to be when we grow up, it will be relatively easy,” Press says. “It's tough to make the right decisions en route. We need to change the perception of our brands, and that's a big move. It's like eating an elephant one bite at a time.” Chrysler Group Australia welcomes the plans for product rationalisation, but believes the Avenger and Sebring are not a complete overlap here. “At the end of the day, we're driven by customer preference,” managing director Gerry Jenkins says. “As for Sebring and Avenger, their style and positioning appeal to different tastes. We'll see what the future holds.”  

Chrysler will axe four models next year in a global cost-cutting plan.The vehicles to go include the Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible, Chrysler Crossfire sportscar, Chrysler Pacifica SUV and the Dodge Magnum (a wagon version of the 300C sedan).Australia only imports the PT Cruiser convertible and Crossfire.DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific PR manager Jerry Stamoulis emphasised that the PT Cruiser sedan would remain and that the cabrio was “only low volume; about 10 a month”.However, he admitted the loss of the Crossfire would be a blow.“Crossfire is the biggest blow for us because it's a very attractive car, drives well and had a positive response from media and public,” he said. “But as yet we have received no date as such for these to be cut.”While cutting its cloth to fit a suspected worsening in the US economic climate, Chrysler will next year add four models.There will be two new Dodges — the Journey minivan and Challenger large-medium sedan — plus two new hybrid SUV models — the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango.Stamoulis said the Challenger was in left-hand drive only.“So that is not a plan at all at this stage,” he said.“It is early days for discussing the hybrids. They are developing the hybrids for the US, but there are no specific dates for us as yet.“The Dodge Journey we are working on bringing to Australia in 2008, but they have not officially said whether it will be released here.“At this stage it is looking likely for later in 2008.”Stamoulis said Chrysler's Australian portfolio would not suffer from the loss of two models.“It's not as if we don't have a decent portfolio,” he said.“We've had five new models this year — the Sebring, Avenger, Compass, Patriot and Nitro — and the sixth will be Sebring Cabrio in December, so essentially we've brought in six new cars this year and are losing two in the next 18 months.”Chrysler Australia will also re-introduce the new Voyager and launch the Jeep Cherokee in February.Global Chrysler chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli said the impending model cuts reflected an expected reduction in sales next year.The new round of cutbacks follows an earlier announcement that Chrysler planned to chop 85,000 units from its fourth-quarter production plans.“These actions reflect our new customer-driven philosophy and allow us to focus our resources on new, more profitable and appealing products,” he said.The cuts will lead to a loss of 12,000 jobs in American factories.Nardelli said their plans were in addition to cutting 13,000 jobs by the three-year Recovery and Transformation Plan announced in February.

Keith Bowman is one owner who has taken a liking to the now seven-year-old model. He has a 2006 convertible PT Cruiser, which he bought seven months ago. And he believes it's the only one in the Linen Gold colour in manual form in Australia.“I always had a love for the convertibles,” he says. “It's great driving around with the roof down. The sun and wind in your hair.”This isn't Bowman's first PT Cruiser.“I saw it on the road in November 2000,” he says. “At first I thought it was a hot rod. I had to do some investigations about what it was and in February 2001 I bought my first one.”Bowman says he enjoys driving a car that looks different to others on the road.“With new modern cars, when you've seen one, you've seen them all ... but the Cruiser, it's eye-catching,” he says.And it gets the thumbs up from his two grown-up children. “They love it,” he says. “Whether they'd own one's a different thing, but they love its individuality.”Bowman individualised his previous PT with an airbrushed surfing theme. But he doesn't plan on making any external alterations on his present model.“I don't know if this one will see a mural,” he says. “With the top down, you don't need anything on it to catch any eyes.”And it attracts some curious fans.“People ask us where we got it chopped. They don't realise they're out there as a production car as a convertible. There aren't that many out there right now,” he says.Bowman has carried out some exhaust and engine modifications on his convertible Chrysler but he doesn't really have any plans for more changes.The PT Cruisers were introduced in Australia in July 2000, with many people instantly taking a liking to the design and adopting Bowman's interest of airbrushing and modifying. By March last year, Chrysler had built a million PT Cruisers in its manufacturing plant in Mexico.“PT” stands for Personal Transportation, but the initials also indicate the car's platform. While the Neon was based on the Chrysler PL platform, or Platform Low, the Cruiser was based on the Chrysler PT platform, for Platform Tall. The cabrio version was launched overseas in 2005 and made its way to Australia last June. And Bowman says he had to have one.But that meant upgrading from the model he had at the time. Bowman bought his first PT in 2001 for $42,000. `I traded that one in, I think it's still on the road somewhere in the Northern Beaches,” he says.The cabrio models today retail for about $35,000, but with trade-in, Bowman says he paid $11,000 for his car.“Considering I bought it (his original Cruiser) when our dollar was at the rock bottom ... I had to pay for everything, I believe it held its value OK. It had 186,000km on the clock, and I had it for five years.”And the Bowman family seem to have an interest in the Chrysler brand.“When I was first married, I owned an old 1965 Valiant AP6 station wagon,” Bowman says. “We also have a Chrysler Neon, which the PT was formed from.”And as the “cruise controller” for the PT Cruiser Down Under club, which means Bowman plans all the club runs, he knows many people who have jumped aboard the Cruiser bandwagon.“You either like them or you don't, they're just different to the other cars,” he says. “With Holdens and Fords, you have to have a close look before you know which one's going past you. But you always know the difference with a Cruiser.”And while the 50-year-old clocked up a lot of kilometres on his old model, he says he's taking better care of his topless version.“I'm actually looking after this one and keeping the mileage down,” he says.“My wife drives it to and from work, five minutes down the road. I drive it mainly on the weekend.” 

Never mind the sunburn — from $35,000 to nearly $300,000,open cars are being lined up for eager buyers.The flood of new models is heating up the rivalry between traditional fabric-roofed convertibles and a new breed with foldaway hardtops.Holden, Volvo and VW will make the switch from their soft-tops to solid roofs as replacement models arrive.Mitsubishi is joining the trend, with an open-air version of its Colt hatchback due next month. The Italian-made cabriolet, expected to cost $35,000, will have a retractable hard roof.And Mazda is having an each-way bet. Its traditional canvas-topped MX-5 — billed as the world's best-selling roadster — has been joined by a folding hardtop version, called the roadster coupe.The $47,660 "coupe", costing $2930 more than the basic model, has a composite plastic roof that folds away in 12 seconds, claimed by Mazda to be the fastest in its class.MX-5 program manager Takao Kijima said he expected traditional enthusiasts to prefer the soft-top original."Even so, there are many potential customers who . . . have hesitated because of concerns about security and comfort."Mazda expects 60 per cent of MX-5 buyers in Australia to take the hardtop.The latest fabric-roofed models to arrive are the Audi A4 (from $83,000) and the Chrysler PT Cruiser cabriolet (from $36,000).On the way late this year is the Alfa Romeo Spider, based on the Italian marque's new Brera coupe, expected to be $70,000-plus.The soft-top ranks will be further boosted in December when Mini introduces a new cabriolet version, called the Chilli, from $41,100.And Sweden's Saab is marking 20 years of convertible production by releasing a $68,400 anniversary model.Holden dealers say the present Astra soft-top — now $39,990, a $6000 price cut — is to be replaced by a radically different TwinTop, so named because of its two-piece solid folding roof. It is expected to be unveiled late next month, and be on sale for summer.Mercedes-Benz already has both fabric-roofed (CLK) and hard-top (SLK, SL) convertibles.In the extra-pricey league, Audi says it will introduce a high-performance version of the A4, the $187,500 RS4, in January.Only 25 V8-powered cars will be imported from Germany, and the company says it has 15 orders already.Its rival, BMW, is to introduce an M6 convertible with a 10-cylinder engine, expected to cost about $290,000 and arrive before Christmas.Safety-minded Volvo has a second-generation C70 convertible on the way, introducing a three-piece steel roof in place of the previous model's fabric top. The five-cylinder model will be priced from $69,950.Early next year, VW is to release the Eos, a larger hardtop model replacing the fabric-roofed Golf convertible. The VW is likely to be the first convertible to have a diesel engine as an option.FAST FACTSMitsubishi Colt Cabriolet-Turbocharged 1.5-litre MIVEC engine.-110kW (150hp) @ 6000rpm and 210Nm of torque @ 3500rpm.-18-inch alloy wheels.Audi A4 Cabriolet-1.8T with 120 kW and 225 Nm.-new 3.2 FSI petrol direct injection V6 is also now available with 188 kW and 330 Nm.-$83,400 and $107,800 for the 4-cylinder and V6 models respectively.PT Cruiser Cabrio-power-folding soft retractable roof, which can be raised or lowered in just 10 seconds.-normally-aspirated 2.4-litre petrol engine.-105 KW at 5, 200 rpm and 214 Nm of torque @ 4,000 rpm.-16" alloy wheels.-$35,890Alfa Romeo Spider-3.2 JTS V6 and 2.2 JTS.-twin phaser continuous variator for control of the intake and exhaust valves.-191kW and 136kW.-Q4 permanent AWD.-0-100 km/hr in 7 seconds.-18” sport or multispoke.-$70,000-plusMini Chilli-1.6 litre, 4 cylinder/16 V.-85 kW (115 hp) at 6000 rpm.-150 Nm at 4500 rpm.-0-100 km/hr: 9.1 s.-top speed: 200 km/h.-$41,100Saab limited edition 20th Anniversary-turbocharged 2.0 L.-110 kW and a powerful 240 Nm of torque.-five-speed automatic transmission.-17-inch alloy wheels.-$68,400Astra Twintop-petrol and diesel.-77 to 147kW (105 to 200hp), with the top-of-the-line 2.0-litre turbo motor reaching a top speed of over 230 km/h.-two-piece electro-hydraulic retractable steel roof.-likely to be named 'Astra Convertible' in Australia.Mercedes CLK-5.5-litre V8 engine powering the CLK 500 (peak torque of 530 Nm).-0-100 km/h takes just 5.2 seconds.-top speed is 220 km/h (electronically limited).-CLK 63 AMG uses AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine and produces 354 kW of power and a peak torque 630 Nm.-CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR: $99,400-CLK 280: $109,100-CLK 350: $134,100-CLK 500: $163,100-CLK 63 AMG: $213,100SLK SL class-285 kW and 530Nm.-V8 engine in the SL 500.-0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.-six-cylinder engine in the SL 350 is another new unit, with 200-kW V6, and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds.-SL 600 has a V12 biturbo engine, with output of 380 kW and torque of 830Nm. Accelerates 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.SL 350: $214,900SL 500: $299,900SL 600: $374,900SL 55 AMG: $374,900SL 65 AMG: $457,900Audi RS4-4.2 FSI V8 engine-V8 engine with an output of 309 kW and peak torque of 430 Nm at 5,500 rpm.-electro-hydraulic hood can be opened entirely automatically in 21 seconds and can be operated up to speeds of 30 km/h.-$187,500BMW M6-5.0-litre V10.-373 kW, 507 bhp, 520Nm.-0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds with the standing-start kilometre completed in 22.9 seconds.-top speed limited electronically to 250 km/h.Volvo C70LE-2.4 (125kW), 170hp, 230Nm.-5-cylinder petrol.-0-100km: 10s (auto).-Max speed: 215km/hr (auto).-$69,950.00-T5-5-cylinder turbo charged petrol.-162kW, 220 hp, 320Nm.-0-100km/hr: 8s (auto).-Max speed: 235 km/hr (auto).-$79,950.00-VW Eos-two engines are available: a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder motor putting out 200 horsepower and a 3.2L VR6 motor that makes 250 horsepower.-200hp 2.0T FSI or a 250hp 3.2l VR6 FSI (according to current data for the US market).-five-section roof structure with glass/sliding/tilting roof integrated as standard

Enter the new $35,890 PT Cruiser Cabrio. It stops people in their tracks.Immediatley identifiable as a PT Cruiser, the Cabrio adds a new, sexier dimension to the range and affords owners the pleasure of near movie-star notoriety when they waft through town with the top down.For occupants, it’s actually quite difficult not to wave regally to the "plebs" on the "sidewalk."This ill wear off as the car becomes more common but right now, the PT Cabrio is the latest must-have automotive accessory in ome circles and some locations.We were fortunate enough to get hold of a striking silver PT Cabrio manual for a stint in north ueensland – the ideal winter climate for roofless cars.The PT Cabrio fits in perfectly day or night as it was neither too hot nor oo cold to peel back the elecrically operated roof.It was superb cruising to a dinner date or taking the kids to a daytime ttraction, the beach or even out for coffee.No performance machine, the PT Cabrio doesn’t need brainsnapping acceleration o deliver truckloads of driving pleasure.It is one of those "feel good" cars that come along now and then that give you a buzz s soon as you get in.The styling is fully retro right down to the low level vinyl roof and high waistline.It’s only a two-door hich can be an issue if you want to take large people in the rear seat, also complicated by the centre roll bar.But once there, ear passengers can luxuriate in the large rear pew and survey the surrounds unimpeded.That’s why it is possibly better to be a assenger in the PT Cabrio rather than the driver.But from a driver’s perspective, the car offers honest performance from its .4-litre, 105kW petrol four-cylinder engine.It is definitely better in the manual than the four-speed auto unless you are a city dweller.The engine is relatively frugal, smooth and quiet and is a recent addition to the PT Cruiser range.The manual shift is easy to use and all controls are light in the hand but it has a large turning circle that is annoying in tight situations.Our far north sojourn took us through mountain and coastal terrain and the roof was never on.It even stayed off during a light sprinkle of rain part of the charm of having a convertible.The roof is totally waterproof and deploys in seconds.The interior is super cool featuring a number of painted panels in body colour and an impressive array of instruments and switches.The car is well equipped with aircon and power ancillaries and a reasonable boot space is provided complete with a clever pivotting lid.At $35,890, this is possibly the lowest priced entry point into a cabriolet but offers much more than a cheap ticket to ride.