To make sure the hip California surfers can find their way to the beach Chrysler installed a navigation system into the Cruiser's centre column. Along the electronics theme, it wouldn't be a low-rider without a wicked stereo system, thus a "boom box" is integrated into the rear lift gate. Cool.
As if all the power is in the stereo? Its 2.4-litre high-output turbocharged engine, derived from the new GT Turbo, finds its way under the hood. It's good for 215-hp and 245 lb-ft of torque. That's real hotrod muscle from an economical 4-cylinder - how California eco-friendly of you Chrysler.
An upgraded sport-tuned suspension package improves on the current PT's handling, rounded out by massive 19-inch billet aluminum machined wheels.
Will we ever see a California Cruiser offered for production? With the Cabrio, a true convertible, arriving this summer as a 2004 model it's not too likely the California Cruiser will see the light of day. But that said some of its innovative features may show up on future PT's - the flexible seating arrangement seems the most obvious. Also, expect an adaptation of this concept's custom grille and scalloped headlights on future models.
The PT Cruiser has been a hugely successful vehicle for Chrysler Group, with nearly 444,000 sold since its launch in February of 2000 through to July of 2002. And it's not just popular in our domestic market. Over 65,000 of these cars found their way into homes outside of North America. DaimlerChrysler must have these numbers in mind when planning the model's future.