2002
Chrysler PT Cruiser reviews and buying guide.
2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
The hottest car on the
planet just got hotter, thanks to new flame accents
available for the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser.
As a new factory option,
customers can order their 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser with
subtle tone-on-tone flames rippling over the hood and
front fenders.
"The PT Cruiser
has been enthusiastically received in the custom car
community," said Tom Marinelli, Vice President—Chrysler/Jeep®
Division Global Brand Center, DaimlerChrysler Corporation.
"The optional flames are a great way to extend
that excitement to our entire PT Cruiser customer base.
"The PT Cruiser
is rejuvenating America's love affair with the automobile,"
Marinelli continued. "For those who love customized
cars, this is a great way to rekindle that spirit. There's
an entire customer base that has never personalized
a vehicle and this is a fun way
to start."
Coordinating flames are
available in four exterior color choices: fading orange-to-red
flames are available for Inferno Red Tinted Pearl Coat
PT Cruisers; fading blue to cranberry flames go with
Deep Cranberry Pearl Coat vehicles; dark silver fades
in to Bright Silver for Bright Silver Metallic vehicles;
and Black PT Cruisers offer fading deep magenta to black
flames highlighted with a blue border.
"No other carmaker
would be bold enough to offer such an option,"
Marinelli said. "And on no other vehicle would
it be so appropriate. That's what makes PT Cruiser so
special."
The vinyl flames are
applied after vehicles exit the paint shop at Chrysler's
Toluca Assembly Plant in Toluca, Mexico, and are covered
under Chrysler's three-year/36,000-mile warranty.
"We've been pleasantly
surprised by the unprecedented demand for the Chrysler
PT Cruiser, and will increase output at Toluca by 80,000
units in the autumn of 2002," said Larry Lyons,
Vice President—Small Car Platform Engineering.
"The unique, emotional design grabs people's attention,
but when they experience the unmatched versatility,
thoughtful features and solid handling, the initial
desire turns into a 'gotta have it' need.'"
The PT Cruiser's length
is shorter than many compact cars, while its interior
volume rivals that of a full-size sedan or sport-utility
vehicle. The fold/tumble/removable seats and patented
multi-positon shelf can transform PT Cruiser's interior
into more than 25 seating configurations—even creating
a flat loading surface long enough to carry an eight-foot
ladder.
All PT Cruiser models
for North America are powered by a 2.4-liter DOHC, 16-valve
engine available with the standard five-speed manual
transaxle or an optional four-speed automatic transaxle.
A rigid body structure reinforced with high-strength
steel contributes to PT Cruiser's solid ride characteristics.
Responsive handling is derived from a MacPherson strut
front suspension and a trailing-arm twist beam rear
suspension with a unique Watts linkage that reduces
lateral suspension movement as well as minimizes wheel
well intrusion into the
cargo area.
New standard items for
all 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser models include a passenger
side armrest, AM/FM radio with CD player, front passenger
underseat storage bin and rear-seat trapped occupant
release handle. New exterior colors are Light Almond
Pearl Metallic and Steel Blue Pearl Coat.
A new optional Power
Convenience Group is available for the base-priced PT
Cruiser, which includes power door locks with central
lock/unlock and programmable rolling lock feature, power
remote-control heated exterior mirrors and a remote
keyless-entry system.
The mid-line PT Cruiser model is named Touring Edition
and includes popular features previously offered in
the Touring and Luxury Touring option groups. The Touring
Edition comes standard with power door locks, mirrors,
remote keyless entry, light group with over-head console,
Sentry Key™ and security alarm system, cargo net,
fold-flat front passenger seat, rear outboard head restraints,
sunscreen glass, 16-inch painted cast aluminum wheels,
touring suspension, P205/55R16 all-season touring tires,
fog lamps, and chrome exhaust tip.
The Limited Edition's long list of standard features—including
leather-trimmed seats, 16-inch chrome wheels, moonroof
and side air bags—adds a driver seat manual lumbar
adjuster in 2002.
Chrysler PT Cruisers
destined for North America are built at the Toluca Assembly
Plant in Mexico. For 2002, international PT Cruisers
are built at Eurostar in Graz, Austria.
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