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Chrysler PT Cruiser
The Chrysler PT Cruiser
is a "retro"-styled wagon from DaimlerChrysler.
It
was designed as a modern interpretation of
the Chrysler Airflow with Dodge Neon components,
but the final product used a separate platform.
The
PT Cruiser bears a resemblance in size and
shape to the 1997 Chrysler CCV prototype
as well as the Plymouth Pronto concept from
the same year. The styling of the latter
elicited a better response from the auto
show circuit, and would evolve into the
styling of the PT Cruiser. It is a front
wheel drive 5-passenger vehicle, classified
as a truck by the EPA for CAFE fuel economy
calculations but as a car by most other
metrics. A convertible was introduced in
2004. A turbocharged GT model was introduced
in 2002. The
PT Cruiser was on Car and Driver's Ten Best
list for 2001 and won the North American
Car of the Year award that year.
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.
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