Chrysler Squeezes Tangerine PT Cruiser Turbo into Lineup

WINDSOR, ON, Aug. 13 Chrysler is serving up yet another slice of the segment-busting PT Cruiser. Drenched in Tangerine Pearl Coat paint, the new 2003 PT Dream Cruiser Series 2 will be available early next year as a limited production version of the Chrysler PT Cruiser. ADVERTISEMENT

Similar to the Inca Gold Dream Cruiser Series 1 introduced last year, the PT Dream Cruiser Series 2 is an exclusive vehicle for the customer who wants to make a splash on the street. The Tangerine Dream Cruiser Series 2 is yet another flavour of the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Together with the 215 horsepower High Output turbocharged engine, rear spoiler and unique interior and exterior treatment, the Dream Cruiser Series 2 will satisfy the desires of PT Cruiser owners who want to customize their vehicles and really pull away from the crowd.

Announced in conjunction with Detroit's famed Woodward Dream Cruise, the Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 2 will begin production in January 2003. Production will be limited to 7,500 units for North American markets including 750 for Canada and 2,000 units for international markets, where the vehicle will be called "Chrysler PT Cruiser Series 2". The Canadian Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for PT Dream Cruiser Series 2 will be $32,660 for the manual transaxle version and $33,890 for the automatic transaxle model.

Tangerine-touched Features

In addition to unique exterior paint, the PT Dream Cruiser Series 2 will feature chrome bodyside moldings, a body-colour rear spoiler and 17-inch chrome wheels with Tangerine-coloured centre caps. "Dream Cruiser Series 2" badging with Tangerine accents also is included on the liftgate, while a "Dream Cruiser Series 2" plaque with the vehicle's unique production sequence number appears on the instrument panel centre stack.

Other interior accents include a punchy combination of Tangerine and Dark Slate. The bold contrast is evident as soon as the PT Dream Cruiser Series 2 door is opened, revealing Tangerine door bolsters and performance seats with Tangerine perforated Radar leather inserts. Matching Tangerine cues also appear on the cluster bezel, the passenger air bag door and on the front floor mats, which are embroidered with the "Dream Cruiser" logo.

A leather-wrapped steering wheel with perforated Radar leather inserts and a centre horn area with an integral Chrysler winged badge are standard equipment in the PT Dream Cruiser Series 2. A chrome shift bezel (for automatic transaxle-equipped vehicles), a chrome shaft gear shift lever with a satin silver shift knob and special chrome door lock knobs complete with interior.

Juiced Up Turbo Power

Underneath the hood, the PT Dream Cruiser Series 2 for North America features a turbocharged engine that pumps out lots of juice. The High Output, turbocharged 2.4-litre engine creates 215 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 245 lb.-ft. of torque at 3600 rpm, with more than 90 percent of peak torque from 2300 to 5000 rpm. A Getrag heavy-duty 5-speed manual transaxle is standard on the vehicle, while an automatic transaxle with AutoStick(R) also is available. Additional features include a performance-tuned suspension, four- wheel disc brakes, ABS with traction control and a large diameter chrome exhaust tip.

Expanding the PT Lineup

The PT Dream Cruiser Series 2 marks the seventh factory-customized version of the segment-busting PT Cruiser announced by the Chrysler Group. The PT Dream Cruiser Series 2 joins the Flames, Woodie, PT Dream Cruiser Series 1, PT Turbo and Chrome Accents models, as well as the PT Cruiser Convertible, which goes on sale in early 2004.

PT Cruiser Chrome

While the special Tangerine Pearl Coat paint is limited to the PT Dream Cruiser Series 2, customers purchasing 2003 Chrysler PT Cruisers may choose from 10 exterior colours. The PT Cruiser colour palette includes Black, Bright Silver Metallic, Inferno Red, Stone White, Deep Cranberry, Light Almond, Patriot Blue, Steel Blue, Electric Blue and Onyx Green.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Production

The 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser is manufactured at Chrysler Group's Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico. From its launch as a production vehicle in February 2000 through July 2002, 427,704 Chrysler PT Cruiser vehicles have been sold worldwide.