Chrysler PT Cruiser

Chrysler PT Cruiser in Nigeria

The 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser gets a big redesign for the first time in six years. Inside and out, the new design is more modern, but not so much that it detracts from the PT's toy-hot-rod appeal.

This model combines the vintage appearance of late-'30s American iron with current performance, efficiency, and features. It does not fit into any of the standard car marketing categories.

The PT Cruiser is based on the Dodge Neon, a performance-oriented compact automobile. It's available in two body styles: a five-door sedan and a two-door convertible.

Lineup

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is available in two body styles: a five-door hatchback/wagon, known as a sedan by Chrysler, and a two-door convertible. Base, Touring, Limited, and GT are the four trim levels available for the car. Only the Touring and GT trim levels are available for the convertible.

A 2.4-liter twin-cam four-cylinder engine powers all PT Cruisers. This engine is modified to deliver 150 horsepower in the base, Touring, and Limited models. A five-speed manual transmission comes standard, with a four-speed automatic transmission available as an option.

On Limited sedans and Touring convertibles, a 180-horsepower turbocharged version of the same engine is available as an option. The automatic transmission is included in both pricing; a manual transmission is not available with this engine.

Specification of this model

Interior

The PT Cruiser's exterior stylistic concepts are carried over into the cabin, albeit the retro theme is softened a bit for 2006 by a new and highly modern-looking centre stack that visually divides the vintage-styled dashboard. All instruments are now larger, the radio is positioned higher, the glove box is larger, and the glove box lid is now damped, among other changes for 2006.

The driver still has three white-faced instruments in each cylinder, with the speedometer in the middle, the tachometer on the right, and the fuel and water temperature on the left. The GT's silver-faced speedometer goes up to 140 mph, whereas the Cruiser's speedometer only goes to 120 mph. It's doubtful that you'll peg either needle, therefore experts recommend that you don't.

Driving impression

Although the PT Cruiser is enjoyable to drive, it is hardly a sports car. It's essentially a tall, practical economy automobile that moves rapidly. The base engine produces 150 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque, which allows the Cruiser to go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds and down the quarter-mile drag strip in 16.7 seconds. It may be described as bouncy. Because big four-cylinder engines like Chrysler's 2.4-liter tend to idle harshly, a counter-rotating balance shaft is utilized to smooth things out.

Both a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission are available in the PT Cruiser. The manual transmission is surprisingly accurate; it isn't sports-car nature, but it's okay for a unit with a longer-throw gate and a foot-long shifter. It's fun to play with the gears to get the most out of the base engine.

Because the engine's output is oriented toward higher rpm, which is not where automatics function best, the automatic isn't as successful as the five-speed in getting the base Cruiser cruising. The engine's peak torque is reached at 4000 rpm, which is quite high.

Do you want to get yours?

The humorous, retro look of the Chrysler PT Cruiser appeals to individuals of all ages and lifestyles. Its accessibility adds to its attractiveness. And its practicality frequently seals the sale with a spacious, adaptable cabin that makes the price seem reasonable. However, it isn't extremely sophisticated. Is this a perfect fit for you? You can get yours at the net price on Cars45 head on there now.