Chrysler PT Cruiser: История и Особенности Модели

Compact car line produced by Chrysler

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a compact car that was built by the American company Chrysler from 2001 until 2010. Introduced as a five door hatchback wagon, a two door convertible variant was also made from 2005 until 2008. Originally planned as a Plymouth model, the PT Cruiser was ultimately marketed as a Chrysler when Plymouth was discontinued. Intended to invoke 1930s aesthetics, the exterior of the PT Cruiser was designed by Bryan Nesbitt. The model received an intermediate facelift for the 2006 model year. Interior packaging was noted for its high roof, high h point seating, and flexible cargo and passenger configurations enabled by a multi level rear cargo shelf and rear seats a user could fold, tumble, or remove. The PT Cruiser was produced in Mexico and Austria at the Toluca Car Assembly and Eurostar Automobilwerk factories. By the end of production in July 2010, worldwide production had reached 1.35 million. In its nameplate, PT stands for "Personal Transport" or "Personal Transportation". PT was the PT Cruiser's product code for the Mexican made units.

The PT Cruiser is a front wheel drive 5 passenger vehicle, classified as a truck in the US by the NHTSA for CAFE fuel economy calculations but as a car by most other metrics. Chrysler specifically designed the PT Cruiser to fit the NHTSA criteria for a light truck to bring the average fuel efficiency of the company's truck fleet into compliance with CAFE standards. A turbocharged GT model was introduced for the 2003 model year. A convertible was introduced for the 2005 model year. The cars were manufactured at Toluca Car Assembly in Toluca, Mexico. On March 8, 2006, DaimlerChrysler announced that 1,000,000 PT Cruisers had been built. The final PT Cruiser was built on July 9, 2010. A total of 1,050,281 PT Cruisers were marketed in the United States. The PT Cruiser was also assembled at the Eurostar Automobilwerk in Graz, Austria, for markets outside North America, using the production code PG, for the model year 2002. European PT Cruisers built in 2001 or from 2003 on were manufactured in Mexico under the PT production code. The US version used a 2.4 L four cylinder gasoline engine. In addition to this standard model, a 2.2 L four cylinder diesel engine built by Mercedes Benz was also available in Europe, Asia, and South Africa. A 2.0 L engine (D4RE) was also available outside the US. It produced SAE at 6500 rpm with of torque at 4800 rpm. In July 2000, the PT Cruiser replaced the Neon in Japan as their small car offering. Chrysler sold over 10,000 PT Cruisers in Japan. The five door hatchback, two door convertible, and GT turbo engine package were sold in Japan in right hand drive configurations. Japanese versions were manufactured at the Austrian factory and were equipped similarly to European specifications. From 2002 until 2007, the PT Cruiser was used in the city of Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture by the Maihama Resort Cab company to serve as a taxi in the vicinity of Tokyo Disneyland because of its fun, retro appearance. The PT Cruiser taxis augmented the Maihama Resort Line service to Tokyo Disneyland. The ten Chrysler PT Cruisers were to help customers "hold on to that lingering Disney feeling all the way home." The cars were offered in Japan until April 2010, when it was replaced by the Dodge Caliber. The PT Cruiser arrived in Australia in mid 2000 and came in only three specification levels: Grand Tourer, Limited, and Touring. Until 2006, the only choice of engine was the 2.0 L. The cabrio was introduced to Australia in 2006. From 2006, all models, including the new cabrio, received the 2.4 L I4 engine coupled to a four speed automatic or five speed manual. Sales were never spectacular, and the car's reputation for lackluster performance turned buyers to the competition. Sales sharply declined following the facelift despite the newer models having a more powerful engine. Between 2000 and 2009, total sales for Australia were 7,000. In 2001 Motor Trend named the PT Cruiser as its Car of the Year and Car and Driver put it on its Ten Best list. the PT Cruiser also won the North American Car of the Year. The PT Cruiser also won the North American Car of the Year, based on a solid majority of top automotive journalists charged with "picking a vehicle that has set new standards or benchmarks in its class while considering aspects such as general design, safety, fuel economy, handling, general roadworthiness, performance, functionality, technical innovation, driver satisfaction and price." It also held the distinction of being listed by Consumer Guide automotive editors as "Best Buy" continuously from 2001 through 2006.

The PT Cruiser was part of the nostalgia wave that included models such as the Volkswagen New Beetle and the Mini Cooper. Rather than recalling previous namesake models, the PT Cruiser recalled the 1930s and 1940s styling, influenced by the Chrysler Airflow. The 2000 PT Cruiser grew out of a collaboration with Robert A. Lutz, who was an executive at Chrysler at the time, Dr. Clotaire Rapaille, and Bryan Nesbitt. Nesbitt later went on to design the Chevrolet HHR. The PT Cruiser's design was loosely inspired by the Chrysler Pronto Cruizer concept car while recalling the Chrysler and Desoto Airflow. Aspects of the PT Cruiser's rear styling also resembled the Chrysler CCV, a retro styled compact vehicle recalling the Citroen 2CV, while its high roof evoked the Chevrolet Advance Design trucks. On launch, the PT Cruiser was described as a market segment buster. Chrysler's Dieter Zetsche characterized it as a continuing example of the automaker's innovation for new segments, demonstrating "you can have head turning style, practicality, and value all in one package." Car and Driver described the design as "highly distinctive, appeals to a broad segment of the public, and is characteristically American."

PT Cruiser models included the Classic edition, Limited edition, Touring edition, Couture edition (2010 only), "Dream Cruiser," "Street Cruiser," "Pacific Coast Highway" edition," and PT Cruiser GT. The non GT Turbo edition models (introduced in 2004) were identified by a "2.4L Turbo" badge on the lower right hand corner of the rear lift gate. The GT model (introduced in 2003) has a "2.4L Turbo High Output" badge on the right hand corner of the lift gate indicating the 215–230 hp engine version. Updates for 2006 included scalloped headlights, a revised grille no longer extending below the "bumper," a new lower front fascia that eliminated the patented brake cooling ducts, redesigned taillights, and available round fog lamps. The changes reduced the "retro vibe" that did not satisfy some customers and " exposed the main pitfall of retro design: How do you update old?" For 2008, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the PT Cruiser the highest rating of Good overall for occupant protection in frontal crashes and the lowest overall rating of Poor for side crashes. It was the only small car to not offer electronic stability control.

Available in 2006 was a Route 66 edition in either Solar Yellow or Black. This version featured Solar Yellow brake calipers, body color grille, solar tinted sunscreen glass, lift gate mounted spoiler, 17 inch all season performance tires, four wheel anti lock brakes with low speed traction control, speed control, and a sport suspension. A total of 1,443 Route 66 models were produced in North America, with 142 of those equipped with 5 speed manual transmissions. Only one was built with a manual transmission, along with every option.

Announced during the 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise and named for one of the most picturesque driving routes (officially called California State Route 1) in the United States. Based on the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring model, this version featured a Pacific Blue Pearl body, 4 wheel disc anti lock brakes, bright front door sill scuff pads, front bright accent ring cupholders, silver shift knob, chrome lock knobs, chrome body side molding, "Street Cruiser" badge, Pacific Coast Highway edition badge, rear body color spoiler, bright exhaust tip, leather steering wheel with bright spokes, sport suspension, supplemental side airbags, 6 way power driver's seat, Sirius satellite radio, 17x6 inch aluminum platinum finished wheels with 205/50R17XL 93H BSW all season performance tires, and cloth seats with blue insert.

A version of the 2008 PT Cruiser LX was named for a road (Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California) that has been described as an influence for many movies, songs, and TV shows. Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard edition version was based on the 2008 PT Cruiser LX and was limited to 500 units. It included "Sunset Crystal" paint accented with various chrome body trim pieces, deep tint glass, and 16 inch chrome wheels with all season touring tires.

The Dream Cruiser Series 5 production totaled 1,750 units for the US market during the 2009 model year. It included 4 speed automatic transmission, pearl white body (however one was made in inferno red and one finished in bright silver) with a black roof and spoiler, gray interior with leather and chrome trim, upper and lower billet aluminum cross hatch pattern grilles, chromed door handles and body side moldings, chromed stainless steel exhaust tip (on turbo), SRT Design wheels with all season performance tires, unique 'PT' door badging, PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 tailgate badge, fog lamps, and a Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl hoop spoiler. The vehicle was announced in conjunction with the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise.

Based on the Classic trim, the Sport version included a roof mounted body colored spoiler, 16 inch alloy wheels, a PT Cruiser Sport badge, and an exclusive graphite metallic paint. The PT Cruiser Sport was available with a 2.0 L gasoline engine in the UK market. It featured a contrasting two tone paint scheme: black above the beltline and silver metallic on the bottom section, with a red pinstripe dividing the two. The interior included Radar Red leather buckets (dark gray leather optional) with black piping, a red or black shifter knob, and chrome appliques. Outside features included 16 inch chrome clad wheels with chromed body side moldings and accents. Production was limited to 500.

The Chrysler Panel Cruiser was a design study that appeared at the 2000 Detroit Auto Show. Based on the PT Cruiser, it featured panels in place of the rear doors and a wooden floor rather than rear seats.