If you are drawn to a fashionable aesthetic and want to stand out from the gray masses, the updated Chrysler PT Cruiser could well be your choice. True, for such a bright individuality you will have to put up with a number of features that may not be the most convenient in everyday life.
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso
Imagine a person in worn-out D&G jeans and a Valentino jacket thrown over a slightly crumpled T-shirt. It is for such a personality that this car was created. It is the very embodiment of freedom and independence, with a slight touch of rockabilly audacity. Such a driver approaches the car, humming something from Elvis's repertoire, gets behind the wheel, turns the key — and sets off on his way.
Once, seven years ago, the debut of this model caused a real sensation. The first appearance of the PT Cruiser on Russian roads caused a stir: drivers of neighboring cars, waiting for the green light at traffic lights, got out of their vehicles to take a closer look at the unusual new arrival.
But time goes on, and even the brightest images gradually fade from memory, becoming familiar. That is why the retro car needed an update, and the manufacturers carried out a restyling.
The first thing that catches the eye is the new, more compact radiator grille. The bumpers have also been transformed, becoming solid and voluminous. The car is given a special chic by the “chrome package”: it includes alloy wheels, a decorative molding, and a trim on the fuel filler cap.
Inside, the changes are no less noticeable. The interior is a whimsical mix of retro style and modern solutions. The front panel is divided by a massive central tunnel, which houses not only the climate and audio system controls but also the buttons for all power windows. In front of the driver and passenger are inserts of blue plastic that echo the body color. However, it must be admitted that the quality of the hard plastic could have been better. But this even adds charm, reminiscent of cars from past decades. Other innovations include analog clocks and additional compartments for small items on the console between the seats.
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
© Photo: Sergey Krestov, 5 Koleso
Now about the driver's seat. The range of adjustments allows you to sit so high that the feeling becomes almost like driving an SUV. But if you lower the seat, the car immediately turns into a familiar passenger car. It is funny that with such a number of electric adjustments, the seatback angle is adjusted manually.
Among the drawbacks are the not-so-successful shape of the front and rear seats. In a long journey, fatigue quickly sets in, and the seats themselves seemed overly hard. It is uncomfortable to sit.
The steering is heavy, although quite informative, but it does not encourage sharp maneuvers. However, in corners the car practically does not roll — this is the merit of a very stiff suspension, which, however, does not contribute to comfort at all. Any road irregularity resonates inside the cabin.
Under the hood of the test car is a new engine for the Russian market with a displacement of 2.4 liters, producing 143 horsepower. It works in tandem with a four-speed automatic transmission. With such an engine, acceleration to 100 km/h takes 10.3 seconds, and the top speed reaches 195 km/h. These are quite decent figures. In the urban cycle, fuel consumption stays at around fifteen liters per hundred kilometers — this is reported by the on-board EVIC system, which tracks significantly more parameters than a regular trip computer.
Such an extravagant design did not have the best effect on aerodynamics. The shape of the front part is such that the car literally tends to “dive” into a puddle. As a result, dirty water from under the wheels gets directly onto the windshield.
The base version of the Chrysler PT Cruiser with a 1.6 engine is priced at a minimum of $22,700. For the tested model with a 2.4 engine, dealers ask for $29,500. Whether it is expensive or cheap — everyone decides for themselves. As you know, true art is priceless.
Technical specifications of the Chrysler PT Cruiser
• Body — station wagon;
• number of seats — 5;
• curb weight, kg — 1585;
• gross weight, kg — 1900;
• dimensions (length/width/height), mm: — 4290/1705/1600;
• wheelbase, mm — 2615;
• trunk volume, l — 540/2120;
• maximum speed, km/h — 195;
• fuel consumption (combined cycle), l/100 km — 10.5;
• fuel tank volume, l — 57;
• engine — petrol.; displacement, cm3 — 2429; power, hp at rpm — 143/5200; torque, Nm at rpm — 214/4000;
• transmission — automatic, 4-speed;
• price, $ — 29,500.