Cool as an Ocean Breeze: Chrysler Introduces 2007 PT Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition

ROYAL OAK, Mich., Aug. 15 -- Chrysler kicks off the annual Woodward Dream Cruise today, making a huge splash with the introduction of the new 2007 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition -- a special-edition PT Cruiser dedicated to one of the most picturesque driving routes in the United States, the Pacific Coast Highway. Announced in conjunction with Detroit's famed Woodward Dream Cruise, the Pacific Coast Highway Edition will be available later this summer as a limited-production version of the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

"This Chrysler PT Cruiser Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition celebrates another great American road, a tradition we started with our PT Dream Cruiser series and continued with last year's Route 66 Edition," said David Rooney, Director-Chrysler Marketing and Global Communications. "The Chrysler PT Cruiser is the perfect vehicle for factory customization because it celebrates the journey, as well as the destination. With more than 1 million PT Cruisers sold since its introduction, hundreds of thousands of PT enthusiasts are enjoying the journey with us."

The 2007 Chrysler PT Pacific Coast Highway Edition is powered by a fuel- efficient 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine that produces 150 horsepower (112 kW) and 165 lb.-ft. (220 N*m) of torque coupled with either a five-speed manual transaxle or a four-speed automatic. With the five-speed manual, this engine achieves 29 mpg on the highway, which is perfect for long cruises down the Pacific coast.

The U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2007 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition will be $20,735 for the manual transaxle version and $21,570 for the automatic transaxle model. Both prices include a $640 destination charge.

"The Chrysler PT Cruiser gives the car buffs here at the Chrysler Group the opportunity to factory customize a classic," said Larry Lyons, Vice President-Front-wheel-drive Product Team. "In fact, the Pacific Coast Highway Edition is our twelfth version of the segment-busting Chrysler PT Cruiser since it was first introduced in 2000."

Unique to a PT

Awash in a stunning Ocean Blue paint with many bright accents that complement the glistening Pacific Ocean, this limited-edition PT Cruiser model features unique 17-inch platinum-clad 15-spoke wheels with all-season performance tires, speed control, a sport-suspension and standard four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with traction control. Brightwork accents include a chrome grille, door handles and body-side molding, as well as a bright exhaust tip. A unique "Street Cruiser" badge, complete with unique Ocean Blue accents, is featured on the rear liftgate and complemented by "Pacific Coast Highway" Edition badges. The rear liftgate also features an Ocean Blue spoiler.

The 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition's interior also is a breath of fresh air, featuring a two-tone interior of Slate Gray and Pastel Slate Gray. Medium Slate gray Albi II premium cloth seats with Ocean Blue Alias seat inserts match the vehicle's exterior and include a six-way power driver seat and driver manual lumbar adjuster. The Pastel Slate Gray door trim has Medium Slate vinyl bolsters. The instrument panel features a Satin Silver cluster bezel with an Ocean Blue overlay and Satin Silver passenger air bag door. The Pacific Coast Highway Edition also offers a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and many bright interior accents, including Satin Silver steering wheel spokes, cupholder rings, door lock knobs, automatic shifter bezel and shift ball. A bright Chrysler winged logo accents the front door scuff pads. Standard SIRIUS Satellite Radio keeps the driver connected, even if the road takes them out of commercial radio range. The vehicle's standard AM/FM radio with single-disc CD player has MP3 play capability, as well as an audio-input jack that can be used to connect portable MP3 players or other auxiliary audio devices.

Based on the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring model, the Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition includes standard power windows with auto-down function on both front windows, 65/35 fold/tumble/removable rear seats, a center console with sliding armrest and storage, Chrysler Signature analog clock, air conditioning, electronic vehicle information center, illuminated visor mirrors, courtesy map lamps, rear door speakers, power outlets in the console and rear cargo area, interior assist handles, fold-flat passenger seat, power mirrors and a shelf panel in the cargo area.

This limited-edition Pacific Coast Highway Edition also includes many of the standard safety features found on the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser, including front-seat-mounted side air bags, an enhanced accident response system, new advanced driver and front-passenger multi-stage front air bags with the Occupant Classification system, a driver-side inflatable knee blocker, theft alarm, Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child-seat anchor system, brake/park interlock, lap and shoulder seat belts in all positions, rear door child protection locks, rear liftgate release latch, remote keyless entry with illuminated entry, Sentry Key engine immobilizer and speed- sensitive power locks.

Pacific Coast Highway

The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most unique highways in America, and also one of the longest. Stretching from sunny southern California to the shady forests of the north, the Pacific Coast Highway winds along some of the most spectacular ocean views in the United States. This coastal highway runs through some of America's most influential cities and most scenic landscape, including San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco. A traveler could start their journey just north of the Mexican border and drive on maintained highway, much of it right along the coast, north to the Canadian Border. However, the actual Pacific Coast Highway is generally believed to begin as Route 1 at San Juan Capistrano South of Los Angeles and end where Route 1 merges with Highway 101 at Leggett South of Eureka.

Chrysler Brand

Driven by award-winning new models, the Chrysler brand has seen a dramatic increase in sales, market share and brand image, culminating in 2005 calendar year sales of 649,293 units -- an all-time sales record. Since 1990, Chrysler brand sales have jumped 251 percent. No other American automotive brand has grown as much during the same time frame.

"The Chrysler brand's succession of innovative product introductions continues to solidify the brand's standing as the leader in great design, purposeful technology and value," said Rooney. "With the launch of the all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring sedan and the 2007 Chrysler Aspen -- the first-ever full-size SUV for the brand -- the momentum is sure to continue," he added.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser Lineup Continues to Grow

The Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition is the twelfth version of the segment-busting Chrysler PT Cruiser since it was first introduced in 2000. The 2007 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition joins the Flames, Woodie, PT Dream Cruiser Series 1, 2, 3 and 4, PT Turbo and Chrome Accents models, the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, the refreshed 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser and the Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66 edition.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Production

Chrysler PT Cruiser and Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible vehicles are built at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico. Chrysler sold 9,734 PT Cruisers in July. So far, year-to-date, U.S. sales of the PT Cruiser were 79,887, up 2 percent from the same period a year ago. Since its launch as a production vehicle in February 2000 through July 2006, 1,062,827 Chrysler PT Cruiser vehicles have been sold worldwide.