'05 PT Cruiser redesign Feb 2004 Popular Mechanics

[figmid]

Hey,

I just received next months issue of Popular Mechanics in the mail and the following article was in the automotive section (p48)with a picture of a Cruiser with the front end disguised:

2005 PT Cruiser

Chrysler plans major changes in the front-end styling of the next PT Cruiser. Gone are the drooping hoodline and the arched front fenders. The new car, scheduled for introduction late this year as an '05 model, will offer a wide hood that won't overlap the sides. The grille will be wider as well, forming a stronger face for the retro-styled Cruiser. Fenders will be raised at their front, moved forward to meet the grille, and will house larger headlight lenses.

I've searched the net for any other info, and couldn't find any, so I guess this is new info.

[quicksilverdon]

Welcome to the Forums, Figmid - that's great news, that there's a redesign - there's another thread here speculating on the future of the PT. I subscribe to PM, too, I'm gonna grab the issue now (didn't get to it yet) thanks![|)]

[IRPT]

figmid, welcome to the forum.

[Rolo]

That sounds like one of the milder alternate proposals for the original PT. See pg. 52 of the Motorbooks Colortech "Chrysler PT Cruiser" book (get it if you do not have it, really interesting, cool pictures).

[therents]

I kind of like the sound of that and I'll have to pick up that issue. Rolo, I agree on the book mentioned and I always liked the picture of the "Expresso" on page 10.along with a lot of the others.[^]

[quicksilverdon]

quote:Originally posted by Rolo

That sounds like one of the milder alternate proposals for the original PT. See pg. 52 of the Motorbooks Colortech "Chrysler PT Cruiser" book (get it if you do not have it, really interesting, cool pictures).

The small picture shows a PT with a bra on, so you can't tell much, but it appears that they extended from the top of the front wheel arch forward, and the hood doesn't taper as much toward the front - the side from the wheel arch rearward is the same.
Hope it give more room underhood.

[Rolo]

LOL! It looks like a cartoon!

I would be good in a '70's science fiction movie.

I cannot believe they never produced the one on pp. 42-47. They are probably saving that for a later year.

And what is their fetish with canvas roofs? Who the heck wants that?

[figmid]

Thank you everyone for welcoming me.

That picture in Popular Mechanics doesn't show much, but you can see the hood difference, the seam of the hood is slightly higher than the beltline. Everything else quicksilverdon pointed out is there as well.

figmid

[Basset Hound]

It has a bigger front end to accomidate a V6.[8)]

[TripleJackInGA]

I assume that one reason they are making the hood larger and less-tapered is to facilitate the introduction of a V6 option to fall between the NA 2.4, the 180 Turbo, and the HO Turbo.This has long been a complaint by possible PT buyers.