25 Jan 05
Pity the PT Cruiser: one of the most striking launches of 2000 and a hotly sought-after fashion statement for all of a few months, once the initial novelty wore off and people got used to its retro hot-rod looks it became yesterday's news. Worse still, whilst its many devotees who rushed to place their orders would assess it generously and overlook any shortcomings, when viewed objectively against its opposition the PT Cruiser just doesn't really make sense.
Somewhere between a traditional family holdall and a compact MPV in terms of its dimensions and capacity, viewed as a station wagon-style family car, it doesn't stack up in terms of driving dynamics (its underpinnings are derived from the old Chrysler/Dodge Neon, hardly the sportiest drive to start with). As a compact MPV, it can't begin to compete with the latest ultra-versatile, super-roomy monospaces on the market (Renault Scenic, Ford C-MAX et al). You'd have to love it for its looks, but as Chrysler has found out, a few years on from launch, just about everyone who's been smitten has now got one, and sales are tailing off. The introduction of a diesel-engined version brought in a few more buyers, but what the now-ageing range (to receive a minor facelift later this year) needs is a new attention-grabber. Already on sale in the US, this is now offered in the UK, albeit in left-hand-drive form only: a canvas-roofed, chop-topped 2+2-seater Cabriolet.
Chrysler is importing just 100 Cabriolets to the UK, all of which will come with the 2.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine in normally aspirated form (US buyers get turbo versions, delivering up to 220bhp). That gives 150bhp and 165lb ft of torque; top speed is 121mph (106mph in the auto), and 0-60mph acceleration comes up in 11.3 seconds (12.8 seconds in the auto). Fuel consumption is a combined 29.1mpg (26.9mpg auto) and company car buyers beware: carbon dioxide output, determining BIK tax liability, is a rather hefty 231g/km (251g/km auto). It's not going to be a cheap car to run, given Group 15 insurance, though it compares well with its rivals on purchase price at 17,495 (and an extra £800 for the auto gearbox).
