The Chrysler PT Cruiser was a compact car built from 2001 to 2010 with retro styling drawn from the 1930s and 1940s. Originally intended as a Plymouth, it became a Chrysler when Plymouth was dropped, and its high roof, high seating position and flexible interior made it one of the more distinctive cars of its decade.
Chrysler PT Cruiser at a glance
| Production | 2001–2010 |
|---|---|
| Bodies | five-door hatchback; two-door convertible 2005–2008 |
| Designer | Bryan Nesbitt |
| Engines | 2.4 L four; 2.0 L and 2.2 L diesel outside the US |
| Turbo | GT model from 2003 |
| Built at | Toluca, Mexico and Graz, Austria |
| Total production | about 1.35 million |
| US sales | 1,050,281 |
| Millionth car | 8 March 2006 |
| Awards | Motor Trend Car of the Year 2001, North American Car of the Year |
| Name meaning | “Personal Transport” |
History of the Chrysler PT Cruiser
Retro design
The PT Cruiser was part of the nostalgia wave that produced the Volkswagen New Beetle and the Mini, but unlike those cars it recalled no earlier Chrysler model: it was a modern interpretation of the Chrysler and DeSoto Airflow of the 1930s. Its exterior was designed by Bryan Nesbitt, developed from a collaboration between Chrysler executive Robert Lutz, the researcher Clotaire Rapaille and Nesbitt, who later designed the Chevrolet HHR. The design was loosely inspired by the Chrysler Pronto Cruizer concept, and elements of the rear styling resembled the retro-styled Chrysler CCV. PT stands for “Personal Transport”, and PT was also the production code for the Mexican-built cars. The model received an intermediate facelift for 2006.
Packaging
The PT Cruiser was a front-wheel-drive five-seater, classified as a light truck by the NHTSA in the United States for fuel-economy calculations — Chrysler designed it to meet those criteria so that its truck fleet average could comply with CAFE standards, even though other measures treat it as a car. Its interior was noted for its high roof, high seating position and flexible cargo and passenger arrangements, helped by a multi-level rear cargo shelf and rear seats that could fold, tumble or be removed.
Engines, markets and the end
The US version used a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, while a 2.2-litre Mercedes-Benz diesel and a 2.0-litre petrol unit were offered in Europe, Asia and South Africa, the 2.0 producing 140 hp. A turbocharged GT arrived for 2003 and a convertible for 2005. Cars were built at Toluca in Mexico and, for markets outside North America in 2002, at Eurostar Automobilwerk in Graz, Austria. In Japan the PT Cruiser replaced the Neon in 2000, sold over 10,000 units and served as a taxi near Tokyo Disneyland from 2002 to 2007. Motor Trend named it Car of the Year in 2001 and Car and Driver put it on its Ten Best list; it also won North American Car of the Year. The millionth car was built on 8 March 2006 and the last on 9 July 2010, with worldwide production of about 1.35 million.
Design and features
- Retro body: 1930s and 1940s cues, including a high grille and rounded wings.
- High-roof interior: a high seating position and a flexible load area with folding, tumbling or removable rear seats.
- Turbo GT: a high-output turbocharged 2.4 added in 2003.
- Convertible: a two-door soft-top offered from 2005 to 2008.
- Diesel for Europe: a 2.2-litre Mercedes-Benz engine sold outside North America.
Chrysler PT Cruiser versions
- Classic, Touring and Limited: the main trim levels.
- PT Cruiser GT: the turbocharged performance model from 2003.
- Convertible (2005–2008): the two-door soft-top.
- Dream Cruiser and Street Cruiser: special editions.
- Couture edition (2010): a final-year trim.
The PT Cruiser grew out of the Pronto Cruizer concept and its retro styling echoed the Chrysler Airflow; it replaced the Neon in some markets. More cars are in the Chrysler collection.
Video: 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser start up, engine and in-depth tour
Video by MegaRetr on YouTube.
Sources
- Chrysler PT Cruiser, English Wikipedia: design, engines, markets, production
- Chrysler PT Cruiser, Wikimedia Commons: photographs
