Chrysler PT Cruiser: A Refreshing New Look and a Power Boost for
the Incredible Icon AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 16
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The cool quotient flows from the outside
in, as the Chrysler PT Cruiser gets the face of Chrysler, an
all-new interior, improved performance and a boost of power for the
2006 model year. "We completely upgraded the Chrysler PT Cruiser
for 2006," said Jeff Bell, Vice President-Chrysler. "We increased
the horsepower, refined the exterior and updated every interior
detail to ensure that the new 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser continues to
lead the segment in style, versatility, quality and performance."
New for 2006, the Chrysler PT Cruiser gets updated front and rear
fascias, including a new front grille with the Chrysler winged
badge and chrome accents, new headlamps that feature a scallop
along the bottom edge and new round fog lamps. A new body-color
spoiler on the liftgate provides improved aerodynamics. Chrysler
also pumps up the power on the PT Cruiser, giving the available
High-Output Turbo engine a power boost for 2006, now rated at 230
horsepower (171.5 kW) and 245 lb.-ft. (332 N m) of torque, up from
the previous 220 horsepower. In addition to the exterior updates
and more power, the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser gets an all-new
interior. Included are new seat trims and fabric choices. A new
instrument panel features larger gauges, new flush shutoff,
rotating air vents and a Chrysler signature analog clock. Also new
for 2006, the radio is mounted higher in the center stack, and a
passenger grab handle has been added to the right side of the
instrument panel to make it easier for passengers to get in and out
of the vehicle. The glove box capacity is increased, and the door
has a dampened movement. A new center console with a sliding
armrest and covered storage space replaces the previous
seat-mounted armrests and front passenger seat storage bin for the
2006 model year. This console includes a covered tray for
concealing small items, a deep storage bin that holds six CDs, an
available battery-fed power outlet for cell-phone charging, a new
coin holder and two fold-out cup holders for rear-seat occupants.
Front cup holders on the Limited and GT models get bright accents.
New radio options for 2006 include a Boston Acoustics(R) premium
sound system that features six speakers and a subwoofer, as well as
a 368-watt amplifier. Rear door speakers improve bass response.
Also new for the 2006 model year, all Chrysler PT Cruiser models
get MP3 play capability. New convenience features for the Chrysler
PT Cruiser in the 2006 model year include standard power locks on
all models, courtesy map lamps, and an available six-way power
adjustable driver seat with manual lumbar adjuster. Rear window
switches are higher on the back of the center console for easier
access. Also available on the 2006 PT Cruiser is a new Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), which adds functionality by
allowing owners to customize and easily adjust their personal
settings. Settings on the new EVIC include compass and temperature
display, audio information, fuel economy, distance to empty and
elapsed time. Not all of the changes to the 2006 Chrysler PT
Cruiser can be seen. "In addition to the exterior and interior
changes and the boost of power, the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser offers
an overall quieter driving experience because of the many
reductions we've made in road, wind and powertrain noise," said
Larry Lyons, Vice President-Front-Wheel-Drive Product Team.
"Customers won't necessarily see these improvements listed in a
dealer brochure, but they will hear the difference when they get
behind the wheel." To reduce road noise, the 2006 Chrysler PT
Cruiser has an all-new acoustic package, which includes improved
sealing around the doors, windows, rear floor pan and reverberant
cavity area, as well as increased sound absorption in the trim
panels. New improvements to the sealing around the heating,
ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, as well as added
insulation in the dashboard, reduce powertrain noise. Wind noise
has also been reduced by the use of redesigned inner belt seals in
the door and added foam in the A-pillar. "The interior of the 2006
Chrysler PT Cruiser is up to five decibels quieter, depending on
driving conditions," Lyons added. The Chrysler PT Cruiser will be
available in four models for the 2006 model year: Chrysler PT
Cruiser, Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring, Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited
and Chrysler PT Cruiser GT. 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER The 2006
Chrysler PT Cruiser is powered by a standard 2.4-liter naturally
aspirated engine that produces 150 horsepower (112 kW) and 165
lb.-ft. (220 N m) of torque. The engine is coupled with a manual
transaxle. New standard features on the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
include sport contour bucket seats with new Bauhaus feature fabric,
vinyl door trim bolsters, an AM/FM radio with CD player and MP3
input jack, chrome grille accents, speed-sensitive power locks, a
console with sliding armrest and storage, a body-color strip
spoiler on the liftgate, analog clock and rear door speakers.
Additional standard features include Sentry Key engine immobilizer,
power windows with auto-down function on both front windows, a
65/35 fold/tumble/removable rear seat, 15-inch wheels with bolt-on
wheel covers and floor mats. New available options on the Chrysler
PT Cruiser for 2006 include SIRIUS Satellite Radio with a free
first-year subscription, an automatic transaxle, air conditioning,
side air bags and disc/drum anti-lock brakes. 2006 CHRYSLER PT
CRUISER TOURING The Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring is powered by a
standard 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine that produces 150
horsepower (112 kW) and 165 lb.- ft. (220 N m) of torque, coupled
with a manual transaxle. New standard features on the 2006 Chrysler
PT Cruiser Touring model include an Electronic Vehicle Information
Center, illuminated visor mirrors, courtesy map lamps, power
outlets in the console and rear cargo area, and interior assist
handles. Additional standard features over the 2006 Chrysler PT
Cruiser model include air conditioning, a fold-flat passenger seat,
power mirrors, remote keyless entry with illuminated entry, body
color bodyside moldings, a shelf panel for the cargo area and a
security alarm. A Boston Acoustics premium audio system, which
features a 368-watt amplifier and rear subwoofer, is a new optional
feature on the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring. Additional options
include an automatic transaxle, side air bags, disc/drum anti-lock
brakes, speed control, an AM/FM radio with six- disc CD changer
with MP3 play capability, SIRIUS Satellite Radio with a free
first-year subscription, sunscreen glass and power moon roof with
sliding sun shade. 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER LIMITED The Chrysler PT
Cruiser Limited gets a new six-way power driver's seat as standard
equipment for 2006. In addition to the features on the Chrysler PT
Cruiser Touring model, standard features on the Limited model
include sport cloth seats with new Alias feature fabric, driver
manual lumbar adjuster, a leather-wrapped steering wheel,
HomeLink(R) universal garage door opener, side air bags, 16-inch
aluminum wheels with a new nine-spoke design, fog lamps, chrome
exhaust tip, speed control, bright cup holder surround rings,
sunscreen glass, power moon roof with sliding sunshade and a
touring suspension. The Boston Acoustics premium sound system with
a 368-watt amplifier and rear subwoofer is a new option on the
Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited for the 2006 model year. Additional
options on the Limited model include a 180-horsepower turbo engine,
automatic transaxle, anti-lock brakes, heated seats, six-disc CD
player with MP3-play capability, SIRIUS Satellite Radio with a free
first-year subscription, UConnect hands-free communication system
that includes auto day/night rearview mirror, a liftgate spoiler
and a Chrome Accents Group, which includes 16-inch chrome-clad
wheels with a new nine-spoke design, chrome fuel door, chrome
bodyside moldings, chrome door lock knobs, scuff plates with bright
accents and a Chrysler winged badge. An upgraded Limited package
also is available on the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited model,
which includes a 180-horsepower (134 kW) turbo engine that produces
210 lb.-ft. (255 N m) of torque with automatic transaxle,
leather-trimmed interior with suede-like inserts on the seats,
four-wheel disc brakes with low-speed traction control and many of
the Chrome Accents Group elements. 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER GT The
High-Output Turbo engine that powers the Chrysler PT Cruiser GT
gets a boost for the 2006 model year, rated at 230 horsepower
(171.5 kW) and 245 lb.- ft. (332 N m) of torque. It comes with a
standard five-speed Getrag heavy- duty manual transaxle and a
sport-tuned suspension. Standard features on the Chrysler PT
Cruiser GT include a new six-way power driver's seat, two-tone
sport leather seats, a liftgate spoiler, 17-inch chrome-clad wheels
with a new 15-spoke design, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and
low-speed traction control, 140 mile-per-hour speedometer, a large
chrome exhaust tip, bright pedals, leather-wrapped steering wheel
with Satin Silver spokes, AM/FM radio with CD player and MP3 input
jack, Satin Silver shift knob and a unique instrument panel center
stack bezel with a Mini-Carbon technical design. Optional equipment
includes a new Boston Acoustics premium sound system, automatic
transaxle with AutoStick(R), AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer
and MP3 play capability, heated seats, UConnect hands-free
communication system, which includes an auto day/night rearview
mirror, SIRIUS Satellite Radio with a free first-year subscription
and Chrome Accents Package. Marine Blue Pearl Coat and Magnesium
Pearl Coat are new exterior colors on the PT Cruiser for 2006,
joining Electric Blue Pearl Coat, Linen Gold Pearl Coat, Inferno
Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Black
and Cool Vanilla Clear Coat. New interior colors include Pastel
Slate Gray and Pastel Pebble Beige. All 2006 Chrysler PT Cruisers
are built at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Toluca, Mexico.
DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT: Kristin Starnes,
+1-248-512-0889, , or Beth Ann Bayus, +1-248-512-0350, , both of
Chrysler Group Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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