Chrysler Reviews

Attracting a $16,000 premium over the normally aspirated model, the new SRT-6 boasts a hand-built supercharged 3.2-litre V6, which produces 246kW of power and 420Nm of torque. The AMG-built engine (the performance arm of Mercedes-Benz) was previously in the Mercedes-Benz C32.The SRT-6 features a helical supercharger and delivers 90 per cent of peak torque from 2300rpm to 6200rpm. The upgraded tiptronic-style, five-speed auto provides a great drive but lack of a manual option is lamented.Gear changes are smooth and swift, but on some occasions, in traffic for example, the gearbox was left hunting. Along with extra performance, SRT cars were created to boost the image of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge. The US has 10 SRT cars including a Dodge Charger SRT-8, Dodge Viper SRT-10, Chrysler 300C SRT-8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8. The ideology behind the SRT badging focuses on five main cues: powertrain, ride and handling, braking, exterior, and the interior appointments.The SRT-6 costs $85,990 for the Coupe and $91,990 for the Roadster.The SRT-6 has stiffer suspension for a sportier ride and reduced understeer. The spring rates have been significantly increased and the suspension uses performance-tuned damping and a gripping compound on Crossfire's high-performance Z-rated tyres. The electronic stability program (ESP) is less intrusive than the base Crossfire.Power is at a premium – put your foot down and you are up to 100km/h in a little more than five seconds. But, with the ESP system off in the dry, minimal acceleration causes the car to kick sideways despite the huge 19-inch alloys on the rear.The SRT-6 has internally ventilated disc brakes on all four corners with dual-piston calipers on the front and rear, which Chrysler claims equates to a braking distance of just 35m from 100km/h to zero.This car looks like a high-powered performance machine. The most noticeable feature is the fixed rear spoiler, which replaces the pop-up, pint-sized one on the base model.The more aggressively styled front spoiler reduces lift and enhances vehicle balance, while providing greater cooling airflow.The SRT-6 sits on 18-inch alloys on the front and 19-inch on the rear.It is available in four colours: sapphire silver, graphite, black and aero blue.The race seats are a little hard but are supportive thanks to the suede inserts and bolsters, and feature the SRT-6 logo on the headrests. Other than grey stitching on the seats and steering wheel and a new 320km/h instrument cluster, the interior is the same as the base model. However the lack of a full-sized spare wheel is a disappointment.The fabric top on the Roadster test car is partially electric. To release the roof the occupant must pull down a lever before the electronic system will engage. While it may be the middle of winter our unseasonably warm weather meant the top could be dropped without the outer extremities turning blue. The heated seats were nice and cosy, but with the windows up and the roof down it is still necessary to don a hat to stop the hair flying in the driver's face.The sound system incorporates a 240-watt digital amplifier (six speakers including dual subwoofers) and pumps pretty hard.

The look hasn't changed; full points for still being one of the funkiest cars on the road – especially with a front grille that looks like a big grin and chrome door handles with buttons.And the PT feels the same – until you put your foot down. What's under the bonnet is bigger and better. Chrysler has responded to criticisms that the Cruiser was underpowered by upping the ante with a 2.4-litre engine.There's more torque in this 16-valve, four-cylinder version. The engine no longer feels like its struggling to pull the big body of the PT.And the gears are tight in the five-speed manual ... "as tight as Pinky Tuscadaro's butt", quips a male friend of mine. (Apologies to anyone who didn't watch Happy Days ... or its re-runs).Those who already own PTs – especially the 122 die-hard enthusiasts in the PT Cruiser Car Club – will tell you that the bigger engine isn't the only attraction for their much-loved cars. It's the whole package that sets their spark plugs firing. In my eyes, though, grunt is good. More grunt? Well, that can only be Grrroovy.Whoops, sorry, wrong era. But there's a lot of that going on when you're talking about the Cruiser.Most people think 1950s ... a car to go with big skirts, bobbysocks and stovepipe pants.Others say we should be thinking more along the lines of gangster cars in the vein of Bonny and Clyde or Al Capone.But I'm told that the PT was actually styled on a 1940s' car.To save confusion, picture someone in the '50s, restoring a prewar 1940s' car. Then transport it to 2005, upgrade the engine and add the latest gadgets such as airbags, power windows, a sunroof, adjustable armrests, side mirrors that fold in like cute ears, cruise control – even seat warmers – and you have a funk-mobile that's still turning heads. Love it or hate it, the Cruiser does command attention.Inside, the black leather and suede-trim seats, sleek silver dash, cue-ball knob on the gearstick and holes in side-door pockets add to "the" look.But enough talking, I'm ready to rock and roll.SEAT-BELT warning – as loud and annoying as it is – it does its job very well.Seats in the back fold down and clip out to make the boot space even bigger.IT has a big turning circle that takes a while to get used to.Lack of lighting on the instrument panel and in the glove box.

Chrysler trod a different styling path with its retro turn in the late 1990s. It was a calculated gamble to revive its flagging brands by tapping into a nostalgia craze, particularly in America where cars like the Dodge Viper, Plymouth Prowler and Chrysler PT Cruiser were met with wild enthusiasm.Chrysler designers unashamedly looked to the 1930s for their inspiration for the PT Cruiser. They'd wowed show crowds with their modern interpretation of the American hot rod with the Plymouth Prowler, which for a time revived interest in the Plymouth brand, and the Cruiser was conceived to do the same thing for Chrysler which was also struggling to appeal to younger buyers.The designers' stated aim was to produce a car with the external dimensions of a small car and the interior space of a much larger vehicle. The key to the Cruiser's appeal is its clever interior which, in a matter of a few seconds, can be converted from a one-passenger cargo carrier to a full five-seater family wagon. It's all thanks to its seats, which can be moved, folded or even removed.In total, Chrysler claimed there were more than 25 possible seating configurations.  While Americans could buy a Cruiser with a 2.4-litre engine, export markets had to make do with a smaller 2.0-litre unit.The 2.0-litre engine was a double overhead camshaft fuel-injected unit with four valves per cylinder which put out 104kW at 5600rpm and 186Nm at 4400rpm. Buyers could choose from a five-speed manual or four-speed auto. Performance was adequate for a small car, although looks suggested it was a performer.Its ride was comfortable, it handled predictably and with precision, and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS ensured it stopped well. Chrysler offered the Cruiser in two models, the Classic and Limited. Included in the Classic were dual frontal airbags, air-conditioning, remote central locking, power windows, CD player, traction control and power driver's seat height adjustment.Add to that front side-airbags, chrome alloys, suede/leather trim, front fog lights and a leather-wrapped wheel and you had the Limited. Anyone who felt particularly nostalgic could add one of a number of graphics kits Chrysler offered. These ranged from stripes and scallops to flames.Early cars are approaching the first major service that will require a timing belt change, so be aware of the extra cost of that service. Generally the Cruiser seems to give little trouble, the engine and gearbox stand the test of time quite well.Take a look under the oil filler cap for signs of sludge that would indicate missed services, also remove the oil dip stick and check the state of the oil in the sump.The oil should be clear, not dark or with obvious contaminants. When driving, observe the automatic transmission for heavy shifts or flaring during shifts and make sure the manual shifts smoothly. Also on manuals make sure there's some free play at the top of the clutch pedal travel, and that the clutch fully releases. Inspect the interior for signs of damage from commercial use.The Cruiser has a well-proven chassis package with four-wheel discs, along with ABS and traction control for crash avoidance, and an array of airbags for protection in the crunch.All models feature front airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, and the Limited has front side airbags for added protection of driver and passenger.Worth a look if you need a versatile vehicle, but its flashy styling means you must be able to stand being in the spotlight.

Moving the masses was reflected in a significant milestone achieved by the American car maker in March when it chalked up its 11 millionth people mover sale.It invented this segment more than 20 years ago and in some markets the people mover segment dominates its business.Transactions in this class are a little slower in Australia.In the first quarter of 2005, 233 Voyagers were sold.The Voyager is not the cheapest player in the market especially against the likes of the budget Kia Carnival or the competent four-cylinder Honda Odyssey.Mind you, Toyota's bottom spec Tarago commands a hefty price coming in at a little more than $50,000.These days the Voyager is smarter. It is armed with a stow 'n go system enabling the second and third rows of seats can be folded and stored underneath the floor.So in no time at all mum's taxi can be turned into dad's van.Together with the flexibility of a multi-purpose cabin, the Voyager also gains safety improvements.There are now side curtain airbags that offer protection for all three rows.This has helped the Voyager gain the maximum five-star rating for side impact collisions awarded by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US.Bits and pieces freshened on the exterior of the Voyager include a new grille, quad projector headlamps, new body mouldings and wheel covers.Out on the road the 3.3-litre V6 is quiet and refined and has strong kickdown response.It rides well over bumps and lumps, offering plenty of cushioning for occupants.Complaints from some passengers suggest Chrysler could do with adding grab handles. Even at low speeds occupants were swaying around in their seats.This front-wheel-drive Voyager is biased towards under steer.Handling is otherwise sound and for a big, heavy vehicle it pulls up well under emergency braking.Without lugging any load on this test the car at times, particularly up gradients, felt heavy and bulky. One would think performance and fuel consumption would be put to the test when the Voyager was fully loaded.On this 900km test of mainly free-wheeling on the highway with about 100km running around the 'burbs, the Voyager sounded its low fuel warning chime and illuminated the fuel light at 450km.It was chewing close to 15litres/100km without doing the heavier work it's designed to do, hauling people and gear.Overall the Voyager wins brownie points for flexibility.On the downside you are paying a hefty initial price and while it comes with a three year/100,000km warranty that includes 24-hour Chrysler Car roadside assistance, day-to-day running costs might be worth perusing.

It has some real, useable luggage space behind the third row of seats.This is unusual because most of the large people movers have 500mm or less with the third seat in use, and it can be a struggle to fit in something the esky for a picnic.Also, for what is ostensibly a family wagon, it makes it pretty difficult to pack up and take the tribe on hols without taking a trailer or using an expensive, roof-mounted luggage pod.Even more impressive is Voyager's new "Stow n Go" system that allows both second and third row seats to be folded. tumbled and hidden completely out of sight beneath the cabin floor.With the seats upright, the storage bins below offer an additional 340 litres of storage space.In some people movers you can stow the third row under the floor, but Chrysler is the only company to offer the facility for both rows.As you can image, with both rows of seats tucked away, the Voyager has a huge flat load area suitable for carrying larger items like furniture.We were impressed last time we drove Voyager, particularly with the car's whisper quiet ride.Our test vehicle, the base model Grand Voyager (they're all Grand/long wheelbase models now) exhibits the same kind of refinement.The extra 288mm length (5096mm versus 4808mm) and the addition of Stow and Go takes the car to another level.However, Voyager is certainly not aimed at the budget end of the market, not with a starting price of $55,990.And the size of the car sometimes works against it, particularly when it comes to parking.The seven-seat Voyager is powered by a 3.3-litre petrol V6 that delivers 128kW of power and 278Nm of torque.Transmission is a traditional four-speed auto operated even more traditionally by a column mounted shift.Sorry Chrysler but this is just a bit too American for our tastes and can be fiddly to operate.It works well enough but most manufac- turers are now offering five cogs with their autos.The car also lacks a driver's footrest, probably a victim of the change from left to right hand drive.Chrysler needs to address both items plus Voyager's fuel consumption could be an issue.Claimed fuel use is 13.3L/100km, but in real world driving it gets more like 15.7L which is excessive.On the safety front Voyager scores a maximum five-star safety rating from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Adminis- tration.Standard equipment includes three-row sup- plemental side curtain airbags, advanced multi- stage front air bags, ABS and three-zone airconditioning. 

23 June 2006 Cruiser Cabrio - you are the sunshine of my life02 Jul 2005 Happiness is a bit of funk02 Mar 2005 Back to the '50s05 Feb 2005 Passion for retro fashion|http://search.carsguide.news.com.au/news/research/specifications/search-results.do?pageSize=&clearCompare=true&make=CHRYSLER&model=PT+CRUISER&year=2004 |http://search.carsguide.news.com.au/news/find-a-car/power-search/search-results.do?searchType=5&clearCompare=true&view=1&make=CHRYSLER&model=PT+CRUISER&priceFrom=&priceTo=

While I was growing up in the bush, people were making music surrounded by a culture that became a lifestyle.By the time I woke up and it all meant something, I'd virtually missed the Beach Boys, started drinking the wrong beer – there is, as I found out later, no such thing – and the Woody wagons of western America only appeared in a blur as a Morris Traveller with WA number plates.Which is why Chrysler decided to let us more mature drivers relive the bits of our youth that we either missed or couldn't afford.A bit like reading a Phantom comic where the writer says: "For those who came in late..."Welcome to the PT Cruiser. This is a wagon of the 1950s without the dry rot of side panels made of wood, an engine without a downdraught carburettor resembling a sparrow's throat, and, God bless them all, seatbelts.I must say I like this. The PT Cruiser is an extremely thought-out package that makes the wagon a very appealing machine for the thinking family. It was raining hard when I unloaded the groceries the other day, but the high hatch lid kept me dry. The plastic bags of food were strung on neat hooks provided by a moveable parcel shelf.If I wanted more space, I would have folded the split rear seats flat, then folded the front passenger seat forward to create a giant flat sleeping or loading zone.Its US heritage – despite the fact it's made in Mexico – reflects in the plush ride, accent on soft furnishings, and a few garish fittings dug up from the Beach Boys days.There's lots of leather in the Limited edition, with some stylish panels of alcantara thrown in, plus a gearshifter comprising a naked vertical rod of chrome topped by a black sphere.In my day, that would be an eight-ball, drilled and tapped in my father's garage to suit the thread of the gearshift rod.The dashboard is predominantly soft-feel black plastic, with silver finishes to the instrument surround.It all looks nice, but it's a bit messy. The electric window switches are top and centre on the dashboard. The buttons on the doors are locks, not window buttons.There are plenty of cup holders, indeed there is sufficient personal storage space, along with lots of sensible switchgear, including simplistic ventilation controls.In the PT Cruiser's latest guise, the engine goes from 2-litre ordinary to 2.4-litre ovation. It's obviously a lot better, though it could still be a lot better.The 2.4 is practically the same style of engine, just with more herbs. It is faster off the line, substantially more torquey and seems to have got quieter. The handling, however, is ordinary.The car tested was a five-speed manual with a notchy, yet positive, shift. A four-speed auto is optional, though don't expect tyre-screeching acceleration.I like this car. But don't buy it for its performance. Buy it because it is different, because it is surprisingly roomy, has one of the most versatile interiors on the market, and has loads of features.And you'll never lose it in the shopping car park.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser certainly looks like no other car on the road, has attracted a core of diehard fans and even spawned a club of owners.But does it raise your pulse?Since it was launched in 2000, it hasn't raised many pulses. Last year it sold only 974, which was 102 more than in 2003, but 120 fewer than the quirky Toyota Prius hybrid.However, pulses may quicken now that Chrysler has replaced the two-litre engine with a 5kW more powerful 2.4 unit. Power is now up to 105kW at 5200rpm and torque up 14 per cent to 214Nm at 4000rpm, but it's still no hotrod.Launch from the lights is prompt, but overtaking power is a little slow on stream and it struggles under load and on steep gradients.The engine sounds noisy and harsh, but transmission vibration has been reduced by twin-counter rotating balance shafts that smooth out the four-stroke beats.Chrysler doesn't seem to have upgraded the clutch to account for the extra power and torque, so you get a bit of shudder until you master matching engine revs to road speed.The light clutch may be handy for some drivers, but it makes smooth driving a needless chore.Fans of retro styling will admire the attention to detail, such as old-style chrome door handles with push buttons and the abundance of chrome inside.But the now-leather steering wheel is a little too old-fashioned with tilt-only adjustment and no audio controls, despite the volume knob being way over on the left for American left-hand-drive.The upright stance of the car is reflected in the interior accommodation which is high and straight.While there are 32 different seating configurations thanks to split rear seating, there is only room for four adults or two adults and three small children. However, legroom is quite good.New for 2005 is a Grand Tourer (GT) edition with performance suspension and tyres on 17-inch alloy wheels.The combination helps control the daunting understeer of this front-wheel-drive machine.Other new touches include a body coloured rear roof mounted spoiler, silver shift knob, leather steering wheel, overhead console, front and rear fog lights, electronic touch pad on the boot and stalk cruise control as standard on all models except the manual Classic model.All models (Grand Tourer, Classic and Limited) offer manual or automatic gearbox.Standard safety equipment includes front and side driver and passenger airbags, low-speed traction control and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes.Options include a security alarm, sunroof and new exterior and interior colours.

Its eye-catching retro-styling puts the car in the same league as the popular new Mini Cooper and well above the less-than-gorgeous VW Beetle.In such an ideal world, a V6 engine and/or a turbocharger would help the package along nicely.Throw in a top-quality suspension and handling package, an interior with quality switches, dials and instruments, truly-adjustable driver seating and inside styling to match the bold outside look and we are really talking popularity.Of course such a machine would cost about $50,000. The 2005 PT Cruiser just released to Australian showrooms costs about $30,000.And as such, the real world clashes head on with the ideal world dreams.The previous model was criticised for being under-powered.Daimler Chrysler has tried to address this by upgrading to a 2.4 litre powerplant over the previous inadequate two-litre donk.Better, yes, but still not quite good enough.The actual engine power increase amounts to just 5kW. Torque is up 14 per cent to 214Nm at 4000rpm.As such the performance delivery is much smoother than from the previous smaller-engined model.The test car, an automatic model, comes with the novelty of a clutchless manual-style operation known as Autostick that enables the driver to flick through the three forward gears.That marginally improves the driver's feel for the car but if you want to change gears yourself, you really should buy a manual.The new model comes in three levels, Classic ($29,990 manual) Grand Tourer ($30,990) and the Cruiser Limited ($33,990). Add $2000 to each for an automatic.The Classic is the base model.As tested the Grand Tourer has better suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels (the others have 16-inch), tyres, a neat body-mounted rear roof spoiler, silver shift knob, leather steering wheels, overhead console and front and rear fog lights.Leather trim, heated front seats, an overhead console featuring a digital display giving you an outside temperature reading and compass information are among the extras on the most expensive of the trio, the Class Limited.The retro feel continues inside but is let down by some rather clunky switches.Turning on the rear window wipers for the first time proved interesting as the switch was eventually found hidden below the radio.The driver's seating position seems unnecessarily high.The dash and driving compartment are functional, but could definitely be bolder to match the striking exterior.Safety features are good with front and side driver and passenger airbags and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes as standard.Chrysler offer a three-year/100,000km warranty that also includes 24-hour roadside assistance for its duration.The PT Cruiser has in general been well received in Australia.Since its launch in 2000, Chrysler says 4200 models have been sold, including stronger sales last year than in 2003.It's very much a car that divides opinion, clearly based on its looks.People either like it or they don't, and it has proved valuable to businesses wanting a vehicle to be noticed in.So, would I buy one? Yes, based on its great retro looks and pricing. But there are reservations about its performance and the interior feel not really matching its image.

This North American people mover has set a few standards in its time; after 20 years in the business and more than 10 million sold around the world, the Voyager remains one of the best.It is not the cheapest option for shifting people and luggage, these days the Grand Voyager starts at $55,990. But this is a substantial vehicle with style and seven seats.For the new season the Voyager takes on side curtain airbags to cover all three rows of seats. There also is some cosmetic work around the outside, chiefly with a new grille and headlights giving the big wagon the latest Chrysler family face.The new bits arrive on top of an impressive list of equipment from front airbags and ABS to tri-zone airconditioning and a sliding side door and tailgate which open with power assistance.Here Chrysler Australia offers three trim levels of the long-wheelbase Voyager – SE, LX and Limited. The top of the range wagon – at $69,990 – carries leather and a superb 10-speaker sound system.Past the standard Grand Voyager Limited there is an all-wheel-drive Limited version at $71,990.All these Grand vans sit on a 3030mm wheelbase and run to 5096mm in the body; the advantage here is reasonable luggage space behind the third row, unlike some rivals which leave vestigial room for gear when all seven seats are used.The Voyager is 1749mm high, good for access and head room through to the back row of seats.In fact the interior of these Limiteds is quite tidy. Big analogue instruments have a classic, simple-to-read style, buttons and bells fall readily to hand while the interior's fit and finish, certainly on the Limited version, reflects the price tag and Austrian build.Accommodation in all seven seats is excellent, centre armrests for the front four seats a welcome bonus.But for the driver there are Americanisms to be accommodated.The indicator and wiper stalk is mounted on the left-hand side of the steering column, although that's not unusual.Then the change lever for the four-speed automatic sprouts from the right-hand side of the column. This may not be a problem after a day or two behind the wheel of the Voyager, there is some symmetry to parking, using the right hand to shift the transmission into park and the left hand to pull on the floor-mounted handbrake lever.But then there's the limited room in the Voyager's driver footwell, there's not a deal of space to rest the left foot with too much intrusion from the centre console coming in from the left. The saving grace is the high and upright, albeit quite comfortable, seating position which allows a driver's foot to sit flat.On the move, the Grand Voyager is quiet and flexible. The 3.3 litre V6 produces 128kW at 5100rpm and 278Nm of torque at 4000rpm, enough to have the Voyager sailing along with the traffic around the town or down the highway.The V6 runs about its business with a smoothness not always found in this market niche; the auto transmission is quick and easy and some two tonne of machine is on its way.The Voyager handles like a big front-wheel-drive wagon, it does not need to be pushed around quite as hard as the family Commodore.Yet this big Chrysler has a decent amount of balance and roadholding for a fair lump of machine. Only the steering lets the side down a tad; it is woolly, too light and non-communicative at the straight-ahead.The Voyager steers fine, it just takes that little extra before it bites.The Chrysler Voyager may not be a volume seller, some 8813 have been sold across Australia since it arrived in July 1996, but it does fly the flag for the company's image and engineering.