PT Cruiser

[xr8edute]

Member of my family just bought a new PT Cruiser. Just was wondering...

what does the PT stand for.

Sorry if it is a stupid question. :

Cheers

[TUF_302]

Thats a good question actually, but what i wana no is why we dont get the 3ltr turbo 6 or v8 version here in aus!

[HTCURRY]

Originally Posted by xr8edute

Member of my family just bought a new PT Cruiser. Just was wondering...

what does the PT stand for.

Sorry if it is a stupid question. :

Cheers

I looked it up on the net...hehe your question made me curious.

According to wikipedia the answer is:

Officially, the "PT" stands for "Personal Transportation," but the initials also designate the car's platform. The Neon was based on the Chrysler PL platform, or "Platform Low," while the Cruiser was based on the Chrysler PT platform, for "Platform Tall." "PT" was also the production code for the PT Cruiser.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by SVO_XR6

Thats a good question actually, but what i wana no is why we dont get the 3ltr turbo 6 or v8 version here in aus!

We don't get them here as they don't exist. The biggest engine is a 2.4 litre 4 cylinder turbo.

[Rob]

Im a Chrysler salesman actually, and for what its worth, the PT is actually a friggin solid car, built real tough. Excellent build quality too, but jeez they drink some juice. We typically see fuel consumption near the 10L/100Km mark.

Otherwise, the PT's are great. Solid, reliable and versatile in the extreme. Need any info, PM me.

Cheers.


EDIT: RE: the different engine sizes, the 2.4 turbo is correct, although I had a bloke come in a while ago telling me his mate spent $100,000+ on his PT... put a GEN III and converted it to AWD. Bollocks if you ask me.. but some people out there... who knows.

[Melz]

Are they all still front wheel drive???

[Rob]

Yeah they're FWD. A 300C can turn inside them you know... the turning circle of a PT is a standing joke in Chrysler circles.... :

[Melz]

I still reckon they look like a Toyota Tarago superglued to the top of a hot rod subframe....
A friend of mine just purchased one and i couldn't believe they are still front wheel drive, hopefully Chyrysler may get cluey and go RWD...

[Rob]

Dodge Caliber is coming out shortly, its front wheel drive, but they look real nice. Cant divulge too many details, but I reckon it'll be a good thing. Also we're getting a Vectra/Mazda 6 competitor soon, the Sebring. FWD also. Yank influence there. At least the 300C is RWD, and handles to boot!

Uh.. we're also expecting delivery of an SRT-8 version of the grand cherokee.. 6.1lt V8 Jeep... : Can you say FUEL CONSUMPTION?

[Melz]

I thought the definition of Chrysler was "Fuel Consumption" What are we expecting something well over 15L/100 again???

[Rob]

You're not far off, sadly. Grand Cherokee/Commander with the 4.7 or the 5.7 HEMI are around the 17-19L/100km... just imagine 6.1L 300kw ~ in a 2 tonne jeep! Fantastic cars mind you, just American fuel consumption. We've got 3.0 turbo diesels too, 160kw 510nm, basically as is from MercedesBenz, they're awesome motors, especially in the 300C, they really hammer.

[XR6Gal]

My sister has a PT Cruiser, she absolutely loves it!

[csv8]

There are companies in America that hot PT's up.
The Chrysler GT Cruiser concept vehicle has a more muscular look which accents its 205 hp, 225 lb.-ft. turbocharged engine - an engine which can actually perform the way the PT Cruiser looks.

The main engineering issues are the space and heat required by a turbocharger. Others have created aftermarket kits that fit under the hood, but Chrysler needs to ensure that any system sold through their dealers will last as long as owners expect - well over 100,000 miles - without major repairs, peeling hoods, etc., that enthusiasts might be willing to endure. We are not sure why they are not considering superchargers, which would make the heat issue irrelevant.

Kenneth Carlson, the designer responsible for the GT Cruiser, said: "Lowering the vehicle by one inch and widening the track by two inches resulted in its athletic stance. Removing the badges from the hood and deck and integrating the bumpers in the facias give the vehicle a clean front and rear appearance. In addition, the badges are incorporated in the grille and rear license plate brow, in effect minimizing the number of design elements."

Flares on the fenders make space for bigger wheels.

The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine is coupled to a five-speed manual transaxle. The lowered suspension uses KONI struts and upgraded sway bars. The vehicle rolls on 17" chrome wheels with 215/45 tires

[Melz]

The ultimate 'mid-life-crisis' vehicle....

But credit where credit is due, i know a few people with chryslers, old and new, and can't say a bad word about them... (apart from the fuel consumption which closet chrysler fans deny anyway!)

My only thing is parts would have to be an absolute killer for PTs and even 300s

[Rob]

That thing is HIDEOUS....... : :

[Kryton]

i personally think the PT could have done a lot better here in Aus if it was rear wheel drive, had a decent KW 6 cylinder and an option V8 engine.
i dont really have a problem with 4 bangers (as they can put out insane power) but the front wheel drive concept will just never catch on with me personally. there are generations that feel the same way. i guess you can blame that on Aussie Motorsport to some degree.

[revhead24ads]

My mum has a PT Cruiser, and we just went to Central Australia in it and did over 6000km towing a trailer. It's the old 2.0L motor. Once they reach about 20K they loosen up and thats whats happened with ours. I really noticed the differance and she was a really nice car to drive. The leather seats are abit uncomfortable but maybe thats because im used to my Falcon's bucket seats.lol. But the PT has lots of fans and lots of critics, im a member of the Chrysler Restorers Club Of Australia and there are a few PT's starting to appear in the club as older members like my mum sell their Valiants and get modern (not that there is anything wrong with a Valiant!). The retro styling giving them what we call HTP (Head Turning Power)

[max]

Originally Posted by BLC

That thing is HIDEOUS....... : :

Yeah... I reckon! Frankly I don't much like the PT's at all. Its the 'retro' thing, more a fashion statement. I can understand girls liking them. The resurrection thing just doesn't cut it with me. E,g, Mini, VW beetle. These 21st century recreations are much bigger than the original body design, and just don't have the spirit and character.

[Rev28K]

Is the SRT4 version of the Caliber coming out here? The old Neon versions were very quick with the aftermarket hot up kits. Even if they were unrefined and a bit torque-steery they were still pretty damn quick.

Re: FWD you’ve got to think that the main buyers for PT’s are concerned with space efficiency above other things. If that is the case than FWD is definitely right for this car. FWD v RWD? I’d rather have a well set-up FWD than a poorly set-up RWD anyday.

Wasn’t there rumoured to be a whole range of PTs that would’ve been made available and would’ve saved the troubled Plymouth division before it went under? So far we have seen the PT, PT turbo and convertible (and some yucky self-adhesive “woody” versions).

[XR Martin]

Theres a mob in the US that put a Viper V10 in the back and made it RWD.

[cwhast]

I think 'PT' came from Pronto Cruizer (see 1999 Geneva Auto Show), the concept on which is was based.
I'm also looking forward to the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Caliber.