Chrysler unveils new PT Cruiser in time for the Dream Cruise
Scott Burgess / The Detroit News
ROYAL OAK -- The newest member to the PT Cruiser family, a limited-edition, white-and-black, two-tone retro sedan, didn't stop traffic along Woodward Avenue Tuesday, but it did turn some heads.
For the past five years, Chrysler LLC has debuted a Dream Cruise edition model of its successful PT Cruiser during the week leading up to Saturday's Woodward Dream Cruise. Since the PT Cruiser arrived in 2000, Chrysler has created 14 factory-customized, limited--edition versions of the retro sedan.
"We couldn't think of a better way to kick off this week," Larry Lyons, Chrysler's vice president of cars and minivans, said during the new Cruiser's unveiling at Duggan's Irish Pub.
"There are 1.3 million PT Cruiser owners and the reason we do these cars is we have such a loyal following," said Michael Berube, senior manager, Chrysler brand marketing.
The Dream Cruiser 5 edition will be on sale this fall and will cost $22,700, including shipping.
It includes hand-milled and machined upper and lower cross-hatched aluminum grilles. It sparkles with chrome touches around the body, including a piece low across the doors, a special sill plate and the letters PT right below the mirror on the driver's door. The rear includes a special black hoop spoiler and the car sits on special 17-inch SRT, Chrysler's high performance division, designed wheels.
Chrysler designer John Sgalia said this PT includes a new black fabric for its seats and updates around the interior. From the limited edition sill plate to the chrome accents around the cup holders, this PT Cruiser has been overhauled.
The Dream PT will offer two powertrains, a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 19 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway or a turbo charged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that will create 180 horsepower while reaching the same mileage numbers. The turbo charged model will have a starting price of $23,980, including shipping.
Berube said Chrysler intends to build 1,750 Dream Cruise editions this fall, but the company would leave the door open to building more if there was consumer demand.
Sales for the PT Cruiser have waned in recent years. Through July 2008, PT Cruiser sales have dropped 40 percent, according to Autodata Corp. Inc. In 2007, Chrysler sold 99,585 PT Cruisers, a drop of 28 percent over the previous year.