For this reason and a few others, since hooking-up with my PT convertible test car for a week or so, I have become quite
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| Chrysler did a marvelous job of penning a convertible out of what was initially a 5-door wagon. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
enamored. Chrysler did a marvelous job of penning a convertible out of what was initially a 5-door wagon. The ragtop's body shape wraps around its two sizeable doors and appears quite proportionate, sans a trunk deck. With the roof retracted, an awesome looking body-colored roll bar highlights the cabin area and imparts a customized appearance. Thanks to some serious wind tunnel testing, this cranial protector also helps diminish air turbulence and buffeting that can cause fatigue on long journeys, especially when a lot of highway driving is in the day's plan. At highway speeds and above, buffeting and wind rush in the PT is quite reasonable, which means conversations can be maintained without resorting to hand signals or megaphones. My test unit was the upscale GT version that comes standard with a 220-horsepower turbocharged version of Chrysler's 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder. It was capable of providing a good kick in the pants when the throttle was forcibly introduced to the floor mat, after momentary turbo-lag mind you. Shortly thereafter the high-output mill wound its self up and thrust the PT ahead with surprising vigor - and quite a rousing auditory experience I might add. The hiss of its turbo accompanies the escalating mechanical crescendo of the 4-cylinder charging to redline, at which point Chrysler's
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| The GT version comes standard with a 220-horsepower turbocharged version of Chrysler's 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder engine. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
optional 4-speed AutoStick jams a taller gear into the driveline and the process repeats itself. I was pleasantly surprised by the degree of refinement Chrysler has engineered into the big inline-4. It gives a strong showing at the lower end of the rev band, where most 4's are weak, but as soon as the tach registers 4,000 rpm and the turbo fully kicks in it really struts its stuff. Chrysler's manual-mode transmission technology allows a driver greater input into deciding which of the autobox's four cogs ought to spin and when. This system adds quite a performance element greatly appreciated by drivers relegated to buying an automatic transmission. Of course, a 5-speed manual comes standard, and would be the better choice if performance is your number one criterion.
