And it receives a further boost with the introduction of a new sequential transmission option (manual plus auto) that Chrysler calls Autostick, to replace the standard automatic.
The PT Cruiser is one of the most distinctive cars on the road, with its hot rod-inspired styling drawing instant opinions – you either love it or hate it.
Worldwide demand for the unique 5-door exceeded supply for the first 18 months following its introduction in 2000, as hundreds of thousands of people decided they loved it. But here in New Zealand its immediate chances of success were dealt a severe blow by the free-falling Kiwi dollar, which drove up the price beyond competitive levels (to a starting price of $45,000).
Now the exact opposite has happened and the Chrysler PT Cruiser is back into very affordable territory, causing buyer interest to skyrocket.
“With our new pricing, New Zealanders have suddenly rediscovered the PT Cruiser and we’ve had to increase our factory orders to meet the higher demand,” says Brett Aspden, General Manager of Chrysler Jeep New Zealand.
“I am very pleased that we have been given a second chance to make the PT Cruiser the success it really deserves.
“Few cars draw the kind of emotional reaction that the PT Cruiser does.”
The unconventional external styling of the PT Cruiser is mirrored on the inside, where painted metal surfaces, retro-style instruments and a large golf ball-style gear knob tell the occupants they are driving in something different.
But being different doesn’t mean the PT Cruiser is not practical - far from it. With four passenger doors, a wide opening hatch and removable seating, it is one of the most versatile cars on the road. A rear parcel shelf that doubles as a picnic table and hooks in the rear luggage area for shopping bags enhances practicality.
With the introduction of Autostick, the PT Cruiser becomes even more versatile, offering the driver the choice of a clutchless manual shift or automatic in the same transmission.
Autostick has two operating modes. On the one side it is a conventional four-speed automatic, shifting gears when it sense the need to do so.
But when the gearshift lever is moved into the Autostick position, the transaxle
remains in whatever gear it was using before Autostick was selected. Moving the shifter to the left causes a downshift and moving to the right causes an upshift.
The instrument cluster illuminates the selected gear. It can be used in exactly the same way as a manual shift, but there’s not clutch pedal to push when changing. And a mini computer in the transmission ensures that low gears cannot be selected if the vehicle speed is too high, preventing any damage.
The Autostick transmission is well matched to the 16-valve, DOHC 2-litre engine to provide lively performance. The suspension provides good handling without compromising the ride quality.
Chrysler Jeep New Zealand has retained the 5-speed manual transmission for those who prefer conventional gearchanging. It is available in both the Classic ($36,900) and Limited models ($43, 900), whilst the Autostick sells at $38,900 in the Classic model and $45,900.00 for the luxurious Limited.
