The New PT Cruiser Convertible: Converting Sedan Safety and Security to a Drop-Top

* Safety built into the body structure * Abundance of same safety features as sedan * Security for both occupants and cargo

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 29 -- Like all vehicle owners, convertible owners are concerned about occupant safety, and the PT Cruiser Convertible has them covered, even when the car isn't. PT Cruiser Convertible safety engineers incorporated numerous enhancements into the body structure for improved impact performance. A full spectrum of safety and security features also is standard on the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, making it not only safe for occupants while on the road, but secure when it's parked as well.

"Every driver demands safety and security for themselves, their passengers and their cargo, and convertible owners are certainly no exception," said Larry Lyons, Vice President-Small Vehicle Product Team Engineering. "The new Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible includes the numerous safety features of the sedan version, as well as special high-strength steel applications for added protection without added weight."

Throughout the body structure, high-strength steel and differential thickness panels are used selectively to meet safety, durability and performance requirements. Use of high-strength steel contributed to a safer and stiffer vehicle with the least amount of added weight possible (approximately 150 more pounds than the PT Cruiser sedan versus the additional 350 pounds added to the Volkswagen Beetle convertible compared with the Volkswagen Beetle).

"To protect occupants, the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible was designed and tested with strict safety and impact goals in mind from the onset of its development," said Steve Speth, Director-Vehicle Compliance and Safety Affairs. "From the front, to the rear, to the side, structural enforcements were included for added protection in the unfortunate case of an impact."

Rear Impact

A continuous beltline structure around the rear that ties into the B- pillar and a hydroformed sill reinforcement provide rear impact protection on the PT Cruiser Convertible. While the new rear seat structure was designed to allow cargo pass-through, it also incorporates integrated seat belt anchors and provides body torsional rigidity, both of which improve function and safety for rear occupants.

Front/Offset Impact

Longitudinal hydroformed reinforcements inside the PT Cruiser Convertible sills and a revised hinge pillar help redirect offset loads. A longitudinal beam in each front door distributes collision energy to the rear of the vehicle. A new wraparound stamped reinforcement structure at the beltline ties directly into the kickup structure between the front and rear floor pan for improved offset impact management. Strengthening the rear faces of the front wheel wells also provides a load path through the front tires into the sills. A tunnel reinforcement cross member and floor reinforcements minimize floor pan wrinkling in the foot well area as well.

Side Impact

The PT Cruiser Convertible's quarter trim panels were designed to optimize the vehicle's interior volume, but they also protect passengers in the event of a side impact through the inclusion of energy-absorbing foam inserts on the backside of the panels. A similar foam insert is included on the backside of the door trim panels for the same purpose. Added foam in these areas also prevents contact with the convertible top mechanisms in side-impact collisions.

Safety engineers also incorporated two unique transverse beams into the body structure. Both tie into the floor pan (one at the center tunnel and the other at the kick-up cross member). Placed directly in line with side-impact loads, the beams help the front door side-impact beams and the basic body structure to maintain overall vehicle integrity during a side-impact collision.

Safety and Security Features

In addition to the safety components designed into the body structure of the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, a number of safety features also protect occupants.

Seat Belts

Unibelt three-point belts with low-tension retractors provide primary passenger restraint in all seating positions. The Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible's front seat belt turning loops are attached to the sport bar for improved positioning. Load-limiting front seat belt retractors include pretensioners that minimize seat belt slack during a frontal collision above a certain deceleration level.

Driver and Passenger Air Bags

Next-generation driver and passenger air bags are standard equipment on all Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertibles. The air bags are deployed at a reduced output in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Combined with seat belts, the instrument panel structure and the body structure, the air bags assure significant front-seat occupant protection in frontal impacts.

Outboard, front-seat-mounted supplemental side air bags also are available on the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible for enhanced side-impact protection for the driver and front passenger. These air bags are standard on GT models and optional on Touring Edition models.

User-Ready Child Seat LATCH System

The Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible includes a user-ready Lower Anchorage and Tether for CHildren (LATCH) system for mounting compatible aftermarket child seats. As an alternative to using seat belts for retention, the LATCH system allows owners to attach compatible child seats directly to the upper and lower rear seat structures, which minimizes seat movement.

Front Seat Head Restraints

Front seat structures on the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible incorporate a locking feature on all adjustable head restraints that prevent inadvertent downward movement during an impact.

Getrag G288 Manual Transmission Audible Reverse Alert

The Getrag G288 manual shifter on Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertibles equipped with this transaxle includes an audible acknowledgement feature that sounds after the shift lever has been moved to the reverse gate.

Accident Response Illumination

In the event of an accident that results in an air bag deployment, the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible's dome lamp illuminates and the door locks unlock. This makes it easier for emergency personnel to assist the occupants.

A remote power deck lid release is standard on all Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertibles. The switch is mounted in the lockable glove box and is further secured by removing the power to it. This is accomplished by setting the Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS) using either the key fob, the exterior door key cylinder or the interior door lock switch. Power is restored to the remote power deck lid release switch by disabling the VTSS.

The VTSS, which is standard equipment on all Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertibles, also emits both audible and visible signals if unauthorized entry into the vehicle is attempted.

A Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) feature on Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertibles uses a rolling code to prevent pirating of the vehicle unlock signal. RKE also includes a panic alarm and provides central locking and unlocking of all openings with the key.

Finally, a Sentry Key Immobilizer System on Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertibles deters vehicle theft by immobilizing the engine if an attempt is made to start the car without a properly programmed key.

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