2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Reaches All-New Heights

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 16 -- More power and a new interior and exterior design upgrades take the already "too cool to categorize" Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible to new heights in 2006.

"The 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible maintains its one-of-a-kind styling and flexibility," said Jeff Bell, Vice President-Chrysler. "For 2006, we've increased the horsepower, refined the exterior and updated the interior to ensure that the Chrysler PT Convertible continues to grow in the hot small specialty car segment."

New for 2006, the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible gets updated front and rear fascias, including a new front grille with the Chrysler winged badge and chrome accents, new headlamps and fog lamps. The available high-output turbo engine gets a power boost, with 230 horsepower and 245 lb.-ft. of torque, compared with the previous 220 horsepower.

The 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible also gets an all-new interior, including new seat trim and fabrics. A new instrument panel has a Satin Silver finish and features larger, more visible graphics, new flush shutoff 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. A new dampened door opening provides increased capacity in the glove box. Front cup holders on the GT model get bright accents.

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 battery-fed power outlet for cell-phone charging and two fold-out cup holders for passengers in the back seat. New radio options include a Boston Acoustics(R) premium sound system that features six premium speakers and a 368-watt amplifier. All Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible models also get MP3 play capability in the 2006 model year.

New convenience features for the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible for 2006 include an available six-way power adjustable driver seat with manual lumbar adjuster and an Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), which is more refined and allows owners to customize and easily adjust their personal settings. This new EVIC includes compass and temperature display, audio information, fuel economy, distance to empty and elapsed time.

Several updates to the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible also make this already quiet convertible even quieter.

"We've made many reductions in road and powertrain noise, which combine to create an overall quieter driving experience," said Larry Lyons, Vice President, Front-Wheel-Drive Product Team.

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.

With 84.3 cu. ft. of space and 13.3 cu. ft. of pass-through luggage volume, the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible maintains its leadership in the segment, offering more interior cargo volume than its competitors. Seats may be configured in nine different ways, including a position that creates a pass-through trunk opening.

In addition to its one-of-a-kind heritage PT Cruiser styling, the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible boasts a power convertible soft top, 10 inches more rear legroom than its competitors, storage space large enough to fit at least two golf bags or similar lifestyle equipment, two available turbo engine options and an exceptionally quiet ride.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible is available in two models for 2006: Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Touring and Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible GT.

2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE TOURING

A 2.4-liter, DOHC, 16-valve, four-cylinder engine coupled with a five- speed manual transaxle that produces 150 horsepower (112 kW) and 165 lb.-ft. (222 N*m) of torque drives the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible.

Standard features on the Touring model include the choice of a Pebble Beige or Black power convertible soft top with boot, sport bar with integrated dome lamps, power windows and locks, power exterior mirrors, cloth low-back bucket seats with new Bauhaus feature fabric, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player, MP3 input jack and six premium speakers, 16-inch painted cast-aluminum wheels, easy-entry system front seats, rear 50/50 split fold-and-tumble seats, front and rear carpeted floor mats, color-keyed shifter bezel, three 12-volt power outlets, fog lamps, a pass-through cargo area, body-color fascias and bodyside moldings, and power decklid release with buttons in the lockable glove box and on the remote key fob.

An optional 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that produces 180 horsepower (134 kW) and 210 lb.-ft. (285 N*m) of torque with a four-speed automatic transaxle is an available option on the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Touring model. Included with this powertrain are bright 2.4-liter Turbo badging and a large diameter bright exhaust tip.

Other options include leather-trimmed low-back bucket seats, heated front seats, six-way power driver seat, anti-lock brakes, including four-wheel disc brakes and traction control on turbo-equipped vehicles, 16-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels, an AM/FM stereo radio with an in-dash six-disc CD player and MP3 play capability. The new Boston Acoustics premium audio system, which includes six speakers and a 368-watt amplifier, also is available.

2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE GT

A high-output 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with a five-speed Getrag manual transaxle powers the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible GT. This turbo engine produces more horsepower for the 2006 model year, achieving 230 horsepower (164 kW) and 245 lb.-ft. (332 N*m) of torque. A four-speed automatic transaxle with AutoStick(R) also is available.

In addition to the standard features on the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Touring model, standard features on the GT model include a sport- tuned suspension with ABS four-wheel disc brakes and low-speed traction control, 140-mph speedometer, two-tone leather-trimmed seats, vinyl door trim bolsters, speed-sensitive power locks, power front windows with one-touch down feature, power exterior mirrors, air conditioning, 17-inch chrome-clad cast- aluminum wheels, an AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player and MP3 play capability, GT embroidered floor mats, 2.4-liter turbo/high-output badge, chrome lock knobs, leather-wrapped steering wheel with satin silver spokes, silver shift knob, bright pedals and large diameter bright exhaust tip, and a unique center stack bezel with Mini-Carbon technical design.

Optional features include heated seats, an AM/FM stereo with in-dash six- disc CD radio and MP3 play capability and the new for 2006 Boston Acoustics premium sound system with a 368-watt amplifier. Marine Blue Pearl Coat and Magnesium Pearl Coat are new exterior colors for 2006, joining Linen Gold Pearl Coat, Electric Blue Pearl Coat, Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Cool Vanilla Clear Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat and Black Clear Coat. New interior colors include Pastel Slate Gray and Pastel Pebble Beige.

All 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertibles are built at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico alongside the Chrysler PT Cruiser.