When was pt cruiser introduced

And despite how public opinion has changed since then, we were right. The story of the PT Cruiser is too often told in hindsight and jest. Until it all went wrong. Welcome to Unconventional Wisdom, a look in the rearview mirror at misconceptions, misrepresentations, and misstatements that sunk into popular automotive consciousness. The automotive industry is built around the inherent assumption that more is better.

Decades of marketing and a constant march of new products has made this seem like the natural state. Designing for desire inevitably leads to bloated, expensive cars. This unwinnable arms race defines the car market. Absurdity takes root because desire can never be satisfied by sensibility.

A market defined only by want cannot produce a lasting legend. This was the magic of the original Beetle , the Mk 1 Golf , the Austin Mini , cars that transcended their humble utilitarian roots to become genuine objects of desire, even among people who could afford to buy them by the dozen. This, amazingly, was the magic of the Chrysler PT Cruiser when it debuted: a car that recaptured the allure of a stylish but utilitarian machine, even as the modern interpretation of the Beetle and Mini seemed to stray from that formula.

The PT Cruiser took the simple and proven Dodge Neon platform and reworked it with a modern-retro body. It adopted an upright wagon look not seen in a mainstream car since World War II, with a backdated dashboard and vaulted ceiling. It capitalized on its roomy utility with folding seats and a stylized but sturdy interior.

And when it hit showrooms in April , the PT Cruiser became an honest-to-god phenomenon. Dealers set up waiting lists and applied hefty markups. Chrysler sold , PT Cruisers in Those accolades inspired this column.

From a distance, I thought the buying public and automotive media of were unduly obsessed with the PT Cruiser. Here was a bizarrely proportioned domestic compact, absent any real technological advances or notable performance numbers, instantly achieving blockbuster sales figures.

This bread van with a carryover 2. Only minor changes were ever made to the exterior of the PT Cruiser. Major changes would have altered its unique look. Some updates included scalloped head lights, a chrome grille, a lower front fascia that eliminated the brake cooling ducts, round fog lights, and new tail lights. The base 2. Starting in , options were also able to be ordered independently of packages. For example, buyers could get side impact air bags or anti-lock brakes without having to buy an options bundle.

The Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series was offered from to The Limited Edition Platinum Series was offered in only. The Dream Cruiser Series was offered from to and then again in The Sport Classic and Sport Couture models were offered in only. These models were all identified by badges in the lower left-hand corner of the lift gate. Trim levels for the convertible included the GT and the Touring.

A Limited trim level was offered for convertible models in Australia. The GT Cruiser featured a 2. The GT Cruiser put out to horse power and pounds per feet of torque, and it reached a top speed of mph.

Performance upgrades were available to make the vehicle even more powerful. The Flame Package for the PT Cruiser simply included flame decals stretching from the front fenders down the sides.

The Woodie Package, which was available from to , included simulated wood panels down the side and around the rear hatch. Other exterior features included a body-color grille, solar-tinted glass, Solar Yellow brake calipers, a spoiler mounted on the lift gate, and inch all-season tires. Mechanical features included anti-lock brakes, speed control, sport suspension, and low-speed traction control. Special badging was included on the lift gate and front doors.

Only models were produced in North America, and of those had a five-speed manual transmission. These capabilities placed the Cruiser in the mid-size MPV class. It suffered rather in this company, some of which boasted seven-seat capacity while the Cruiser only had seating for five, but its looks made it peculiarly desirable for those with 2.

At its launch the Cruiser offering was a little limited: three trim levels, manual or automatic transmission and one engine option. It gives bhp at rpm and lb. The result for the manual car is a 0. In late the power unit was upgraded to a 2. Although the 0. The best engine available in UK models however, is the 2. Sourced from Mercedes, this solid turbo diesel unit boasts a sturdy timing chain, bulletproof construction, bhp output and lb.

This is a superb, tractable and flexible engine that suits the Cruiser as well as it does a C-Class Benz. One aspect of any earlys American car that cannot be ignored is its interior. At the time I personally spent a great deal of time in the States, often driving rental cars of various marques. The experience was universally one of horrible plastics, darkness and criminally-awful fabrics. Despite its flexibility as a cabin, the inside of the PT Cruiser inevitably received criticism in the UK.

However, in comparison to its more ordinary brethren back home the PT driving environment was a wonderland of colour and styling interest.