CHRYSLER PT CRUISER CRD RANGE
PLAYING THE DIESEL CRD (2004-11-04)
A State Of The Art Common Rail Turbo Diesel Has Transformed Chryslers PT Cruiser From A Curious Novelty To Something That Makes Surprising Sense. Andy Enright Reports
Since Chrysler and the Daimler Benz Group merged, its been interesting trying to work out whos been the bigger beneficiary. The Germans have gained a huge foothold into the worlds largest auto market while the Americans have gained access to some of the worlds best engines. One such engine finds its way under the shapely hood, sorry, bonnet of the Chrysler PT Cruiser and gives the model broader appeal.
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Until the arrival of the CRD common rail diesel engine, prospective PT Cruiser customers had been somewhat hamstrung for choice. One engine and three trim levels was about as varied as it got. Despite looking like an escapee from a ZZ Top album cover, the all-American iron that powered the PT was the same distinctly modest 140bhp 2.0-litre engine youd find plumbed into the nose of a Chrysler Neon.
Cruising was a mandatory rather than an optional state of progress with 60mph 12 seconds away. Although pleasant, this was an engine with less attitude than the speaking clock. What was needed was a really punchy powerplant, something that would give the PT Cruiser the trousers to match its mouth. Instead we got a 2.
2-litre common rail diesel engine that makes 119bhp and since then the old 2.0-litre petrol engine has been replaced by a 2.4-litre unit. To be fair, there had been a groundswell of demand for a diesel version and sales figures of the
Vauxhall Zafira and
Renault Scenic were showing the significant share contributed by diesel variants.
Some may feel that a typical PT Cruiser customer would never buy a Scenic or a Zafira, preferring the aesthetic statement represented by a
Volkswagen Beetle or similar. Whatever view one takes, its apparent that Chrysler dont exactly pitch the PT Cruiser CRD head to head with the mainstream
mini-MPV establishment.
"What was needed was a really punchy powerplant, something that would give the PT Cruiser the trousers to match its mouth"
Three trim levels are offered, Classic, Touring and Limited, now priced at £14,220, £15,720 and £17,220 respectively, which rectifies what was perceived as slightly overinflated pricing. Modest sales reflected the market view that the PT Cruiser CRD was a premium product, and many buyers in this very pragmatic market sector instead thought of the £3,000 theyd pocket by opting for something that represented less of a style statement something like a
Citroen Xsara Picasso. Thats no longer the case and, if Chrysler can spread the good news, we can expect to see a sharp increase in PT Cruiser sales. The CRD engine uses common rail technology and a tiny IHI turbocharger to develop its 119bhp.
Derived from a
Mercedes-Benz design, the engine gives a broad spread of torque, avoiding that curiously two-dimensional feel of the 2.4-litre petrol engine. Although we see it as merely an extension to the PT Cruiser range, the engine has great significance in its domestic market where diesel engines have traditionally been about as popular as a local Al-Qaeda cell. Claiming to be the first compact US hatchback to be fitted with a diesel engine, the PT Cruiser CRD is a landmark car.
Just as well then that it measures up to the job. Offering impressive torque and performance is one thing, but buyers of diesel engines also want to know about the flipside of the coin fuel economy. The PT Cruiser CRD doesnt disappoint here, with figures of 40.9mpg on the combined cycle looking reasonably respectable.
No, it isnt the most economical mini-MPV around, but it is usefully more economical than its 2.4-litre petrol stablemate which manages an average return closer to 30mpg. Wheedling an additional 10mpg out of your car may not sound hugely significant, but the real world characteristics of the engine means the differential is usually larger. Whereas the CRD engine accelerates smoothly on a decent groundswell of torque, to make similar progress in the petrol-engined version requires some Cro-Magnon antics with the loud pedal thus demolishing fuel economy.
Its probably fair to say the diesel is a more characterful engine too. Its never so refined youll mistake it for a petrol unit but neither is its timbre in any way unpleasant. The styling we know about. The once huge waiting lists have dissipated.
In nibbling at the margins of the mainstream, the Chrysler PT Cruiser now makes an attractive and surprisingly cost-effective alternative to the established mini-MPV heavy hitters. The addition of the excellent CRD diesel engine only makes the proposition that much more tempting. As a tool to demonstrate that youre sensible but not boring, the PT Cruiser CRD excels. Combinations of German and American culture have never really gelled think Wooden Heart by Elvis or the time JFK proclaimed himself a sticky bun - but this is one amalgam thats curiously logical.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Chrysler PT Cruiser CRD range
PRICES: £14,220-£17,220 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 12
CO2 EMISSIONS: 185g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 113mph / 0-60mph 11.9s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [urban] 31mpg / [extra urban] 50.4mpg / [combined] 40.9mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver, Passenger and Side airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4288/1705/1601mm
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