And Chrysler's reveal today is... the PT Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition
click image above for high-res version
While we harbored hope that Chrysler would break with tradition and formally launch the 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4 at Duggan's Pub on Woodward this morning, already the new Pentastar instead did what it's been doing for years: unveiled another special edition PT Cruiser. The Sunset Boulevard Edition is the latest in the Street Cruiser series and is powered by the 150-horsepower 2.4L four-cylinder mated to a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual. The vehicle is highlighted by its "Sunset Crystal" paint, bevy of shiny metal trim and 16-inch, nine-spoke chrome wheels. Uplevel features include a power moonroof and dark tinting for the rear windows, while the interior includes more chrome trim in the places you'd most expect it (sorry, no interior shots were released). Being limited to only 500 units for the 2008 model year, this PT Cruiser is also adorned with a number of "Sunset Boulevard" badges to let passersby know it's no normal PT. It's also the 11th special edition PT Cruiser that Chrysler has pumped out, and this one will set you back $16,650 for the manual model and $17,475 for an automatic. That's not a bad price for a car that wants to be a collectible, despite the fact over 1.2 million PT Cruisers have been sold in the past seven years. It's still no Caliber SRT-4, though.
[Source: Chrysler]
PRESS RELEASE:
Chrysler Brings Some Bling to the Boulevard with its Newest Buzz Model - the 2008 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition
- New Chrysler PT Cruiser model lights up the boulevard to kick-off annual Woodward Dream Cruise
- Eleventh factory-customized limited-edition PT Cruiser celebrates another great American driving road
- New PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition delivers factory customization and limited production at a value price
- More than 1.2 million PT Cruisers sold since its introduction in 2000
"The Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition joins the Route 66 Edition and Pacific Coast Highway Edition as the third in our Street Cruiser series dedicated to famous highways," said David Rooney, Director – Chrysler Marketing and Global Communications. "Like the historic roads we're celebrating, the Chrysler PT Cruiser is a classic, and the perfect vehicle for factory customization because it celebrates the journey, as well as the destination."
Chrysler is limiting production of this unique factory-customized Sunset Boulevard Street Cruiser Edition to just 500 units for the 2008 model year. The U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2008 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition will be $16,650 for the manual transaxle version and $17,475 for the automatic transaxle model. Both prices include a $640 destination charge.
"The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a classic that lends itself to personalization, and the car enthusiasts here at Chrysler are always looking at new ways to make this one-of-a-kind cruiser even more unique ," said Larry Lyons, Vice President – Front-wheel-drive Product Team. "We have a long history of success with keeping PT Cruiser fresh and exciting. In fact, the Sunset Boulevard is the 11th factory-customized PT Cruiser since it was first introduced in 2000."
Glitz and Glamour, PT Style
The Chrysler PT Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition is inspired by the glitz and laid-back glamour of Los Angeles - from the bright lights of Hollywood to the beautiful beaches along the coast. Soaked in the warm, golden rays of the perfect "Sunset Crystal" paint and accented with glistening bright chrome accents, this limited-edition PT Cruiser model brings some bling to the boulevard. Additional special equipment on the Sunset Boulevard Street Cruiser Edition includes 16-inch chrome-clad nine-spoke wheels with all-season touring tires, a power moonroof and deep-tint sunscreen glass. Brightwork accents include chrome body-side moldings and chrome lock knobs. A unique "Street Cruiser" badge, complete with Sunset Crystal accents, is featured on the rear liftgate and complemented by "Sunset Boulevard" Edition badges. Unique interior features on the Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition include bright sill scuff pads, bright accent ring cup holders and chrome PRNDL bezel on vehicles equipped with an automatic transaxle. Cluster bezels and the passenger air bag door are Sunset Crystal to match the exterior body color.
Based on the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser LX, the Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard 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 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway based on 2008 EPA estimates, perfect for a weekend cruise down any boulevard in the country.
Additional standard equipment includes power windows with auto-down function on both front windows, AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player, MP3 play capability and auxiliary audio input jack, 65/35 fold/tumble/removable rear seats, a center console with sliding armrest and storage, Chrysler signature analog clock, compass and temperature display, power accessory delay, rear-window wiper/washer, manually adjustable front seats, front dome lamp, cargo compartment lamp, four premium speakers, 12-volt center instrument panel power outlet and a tilt steering column. Standard exterior equipment on the Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition includes body-color front and rear fascias, Chrysler winged badge on the hood and liftgate, bright door handles, halogen quad headlamps and a body-color strip spoiler on the liftgate. Power rack-and-pinion steering, power front disc/rear drum brakes and Tire Pressure Monitoring System also are standard.
The glow of the sunset also glimmers from the interior of the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition. Bauhaus feature fabric covers Pastel Pebble Beige sport contour bucket seats. This limited-edition vehicle also includes many of the standard safety features found on the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser, including front-seat-mounted side air bags, enhanced accident response system, new advanced driver and front-passenger multi-stage front air bags with the Occupant Classification system, 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, remote keyless entry with illuminated entry, Sentry Key engine immobilizer and speed-sensitive power locks.
Available options on the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition include an automatic transaxle, air conditioning, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes with low-speed traction control (ABS), engine block heater, SIRIUS Satellite Radio with free first-year subscription, and Sound Group I (which includes SIRIUS Satellite Radio and 368-watt Boston Acoustics audio Group with six speakers and subwoofer).
The Chrysler PT Cruiser Lineup Continues to Grow
The Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition is the 13th vehicle and the 11th customized version of the segment-busting Chrysler PT Cruiser since it was first introduced in 2000. The 2008 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard 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, the Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66 and Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway editions.
Chrysler PT Cruiser Production
Chrysler PT Cruiser and Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible vehicles are built at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico. Chrysler sold 7,113 PT Cruisers in July. So far, year-to-date, U.S. sales of the PT Cruiser are 60,305. Since its launch as a production vehicle in February 2000 through July 2007, 1,211,271 Chrysler PT Cruiser vehicles have been sold worldwide.
Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard is a long, winding thoroughfare that begins in downtown Los Angeles and runs westward more than 20 miles to the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, Sunset Boulevard passes through Hollywood before it becomes the Sunset Strip as it passes through West Hollywood, weaves its way through Beverly Hills and Bel-Air, and continues through the rustic foothills of the Santa Monica mountains, and finally ends at the Pacific Ocean near Malibu. Over the course of those 20 miles, the boulevard's personality undergoes several radical transformations.
The name "Sunset Boulevard" has become a part of Hollywood legend, serving as the inspiration for countless songs, movies and TV shows, including:
- The famous 1950 motion picture starring William Holden & Gloria Swanson titled "Sunset Boulevard." The movie, in turn, inspired the 1993 Andrew Lloyd Webber musical of the same name, which starred actress Glenn Close in the lead role of Norma Desmond.
- The 1960's popular TV series "77 Sunset Strip"
- The Eagles' biggest-selling album, "Hotel California," which featured a photo of a Sunset Boulevard hotel on its cover, the Beverly Hills Hotel.
- Former Eagle Don Henley recorded a song about life down at "The Sunset Grill" in 1985
- 1970's disco singers sang about life "On Sunset," where there were "limousines to hide the stars, tinted glass to hide the scars... "
- The final scene in Woody Allen's classic 1977 comedy "Annie Hall" was filmed at a sidewalk café right on the Sunset Strip
Chrysler Brand
Driven by award-winning new models, the Chrysler brand has seen a dramatic increase in sales, market share and brand image. Since 1990, Chrysler brand sales have more than tripled. 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. With the launch of the all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring sedan and the 2007 Chrysler Aspen – the first-ever full-size sport utility vehicle for the brand – the momentum is sure to continue with the launch of the all-new 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible and 2008 Chrysler Town and Country.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Karen 12:19AM (6/19/2008)
I have a Sunset Cruiser. It is a beautiful, awesome vehicle. It's a blast to drive, handles like a sports car, lots of power, comfortable, roomy, and it's a people magnet; everywhere I go it gets attention because of the classy style of the vehicle. You morons who are dissing the car have absolutely NO IDEA of what you are talking about. Drive one before you open your big mouth. There's only 500 and I have one and you don't, so BITE ME!
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Darien78 2:53AM (9/01/2008)
I traded my 04 PT Cruiser in on a 08 PT Cruiser Sunset. I like the Sunset better that and it's cool that they only made 500 and I have a pice of rare Chrysler history. If you think about it thats only 10 per state.
Jadl 1:15PM (11/17/2009)
I bought a Limited Edition PT Cruiser new in 2002. leather upholstery, multi track CD player, power everything, chrome wheels,etc., etc (loaded). and paid just under $18,000 for it. I still have it after 7 years and have never had any problems with it mechanically or electrical. It gets about 24 mpg city and about 27 mpg hwy.
It is very comfortable, holds a virtual TON of everything, and rides great. It also out accelerates most other vehicles (or at least those vehicles who have drivers afraid to put the pedal to the metal) .
It is 168" long overall (14 ft) which means that it fits in my garage AND leaves room in front or rear to also park my motorcycle. Four sets of golf clubs and four golfers fit easily into this car.
The paint looks like it just came off the showroom floor (Of course I manitain my vehicles!).
I have owned Oldmobiles, Buicks, Cadillacs, BMW's. Porches, M.G.'s. and almost every kind of car, both domestic and foreign ones, over many years (32 new one's in all and an uncountable number of used ones. This PT is the best all around car I have ever owned!
Next week I'm having the front and rear body panlels and bumpersr removed and relacedwith aftermarket custom parts (Rolled pans, rolled front w/o bumpers, hood, addition IMSA style lower side panels, 40's style tail lights, dual exhausts, pin striping, and some new bad assed black crome spoke 18" wheels. There will be nothing on the road like it..and when finished I wil have about $24 - 25,000 total in the car, including it's original cost. I've looked at new cars for months and months and can find nothing either in that price range or which has so many of the features I desire, even at prices way above what I will have invested in this car. I have a friend who performed a little free "magic" on the engine by retuning the computer, and with the addition of the dual xhausts we ecpect that about 175 horses delivered to the wheels will be the outcome.
To those who have never driven PT with all the bells and whistles, and who just casually knock the vehicle (I think mostly because of it's relatively low selling price (and low resale price) or because they just don't "get" the retro styling possibilities, all I can say is that it's easy to knock something which you know little about . Me...I don't care what some people care about what my ride looks like, 'cause they aren't paying for it and basically, many people have such poor tastes that they always select some mundane, everyday, run of the mill, back yard style vehicle as the Toyota Camry or some other such boring and designed for the masses look-a-likes that they never experience the fun of having a vehile that doesn't look like everyone of your neighbor's ordinary and vanilla lookin' cars.
Hey, to each his owm - but don't knock something which ya' might know nothing about.
And yeah, I hope they stop making the PT soon too. That way it will be that much sooner that my "classic retro" vehicle will be still unique, and worth a bunch of dough.
The 14 -15 year olds of today will be parting with quite a few quid to get their hands on this jewel of mine when they're in their mid to late 30's and can afford a 25 year old classic retro cruiser. In the meantime, I have no car payments, get "the looks" wherever
I go, and don't have a ride that looks like everyone else's. Love my Cruiser, and love takin' it to custom car shows and Cruiser club meetings. Meet lot's of positive, up-beat people that way...and much fewer negative people.
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DJ 12:34PM (8/14/2007)
yipeee.......I am so underwhelmed..........
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FrankTheCrank 4:02PM (8/14/2007)
ZZZ...zzz...zzz...zzz...
AutoXN 12:37PM (8/14/2007)
Wow, that's exciting. *churp churp churp* If this is proof of things to come......
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Mr_Oak 12:52PM (8/14/2007)
1.2 million sold? Not bad for a passing FAD. I doubt that Jaguar a global brand hasn't sold that many cars in the last 7 years.
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Rob 12:50PM (8/14/2007)
PT Cruiser, Yawn Edition.
That gas mileage is terrible for this vehicle. 21/26 is v6 + auto territory, not 4 cylinder manual.
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ryan 12:50PM (8/14/2007)
this is still selling?
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psarhjinian 12:59PM (8/14/2007)
It still sells because, unlike a lot of other gimmicky vehicles, it's supremely practical, reasonably reliable and kinda-sorta fun to drive.
You can make a rational case for the PT. I almost did, but a day's rental showed me that the accelerator pedal angle is just very slightly wrong for me. Otherwise it's an excellent vehicle, probably topped only by the Mazda5 and Rondo.
The HHR might manage the same longevity, but it's underwhelming compared to an equivalent-trim PT (can't speak for the SS vs GT). The Mini might come close, but it's a little too small. The Beetle, Mustang, Camaro and Challenger certainly will not.
ryan 1:04PM (8/14/2007)
you know, i never even thought of this as a crossover, more of a marketing ploy for those aching for nostalgic lines. but now that you suggest the mazda5 or the rondo, it makes sense. thanks!
MLB 12:56PM (8/14/2007)
Yawn...
Anyone wanting to add "bling" to the Boulevard certainty wouldn’t do it in that. "Sunset Crystal” looks like maroon to me...
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DJ 1:00PM (8/14/2007)
"That gas mileage is terrible for this vehicle. 21/26 is v6 + auto territory, not 4 cylinder manual."
Actually, it's V8 + auto mileage....My wife's XJ8 gets 23-24MPG in town and 31-33MPG on the highway, consistently. Then again, it only has twice the horsepower and nearly twice the displacement.
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Tsunami Racer 1:04PM (8/14/2007)
the irony is that NO ONE who drives on sunset bvld. would ever be driving a PT or other Chrysler product for that matter, unless you're a tourist and just picked it up at Alamo LAX on your way to the Mann's Chinese Theater.
maybe the "I-75 through Dayton Ohio" edition is more appropriate to the buyer demographic....
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Zensuine 1:08PM (8/14/2007)
The perfect car for the perfect dream cruise!!!
The lamer the Woodward Dream Cruise gets the lamer the special editions get!!!
W00t w00t
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Kowell 1:06PM (8/14/2007)
With luck the sun IS setting on this model......
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M Bell 1:21PM (8/14/2007)
Wow, I'm underwhelmed. Look, fabulous new features include a Chrysler badge on the grille! I'd probably be more impressed by that if the car wasn't a Chrysler. Analogue Clock - STANDARD. 22HP motor - STANDARD. Map light - STANDARD. And ooh! Sixteen-inch wheels! Sixteen! That's right on the cutting edge of late-1990s style!
Actually, at a closer glance, can anyone actually confirm that those are chrome wheels? They look remarkably like those chrome-painted Wal-Mart hubcaps you can buy for $19.95. Maybe they are... can you upgrade to chrome-painted "spinners" for an extra $10? Somebody check the option packages.
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M Bell 1:31PM (8/14/2007)
Hm. Sorry for posting the same thing in two places. Apparently my computer was trying to be helpful.
Intended comment: Mr_Oak makes a good point. 1.2 million of these ugly little boxes have been sold... and yet somehow Chrysler still can't make any money. This is really getting kind of amazing. They make ugly, cheap, uninspiring little cars. They sell a lot of them. They STILL lose huge rogers of cash. They spend more money to come out with a special edition that isn't any different than the original version, which nobody is ever going to care about, in the hopes of improving sales. Yet, as they point out, sales are fine, they just aren't making any money off them.
I think the new owners just need to take the company's management out to the woodshed and give 'em a good whuppin'. And maybe this "Sunset Boulevard Special Edition" warrants a few more smacks with the rod.
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Stoneman 1:36PM (8/14/2007)
Introducing the now-even-more-boring edition PT Cruiser. More reasons for people to laugh at you when driving one.
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Vinny 1:51PM (8/14/2007)
I don't know whether to snore or laugh...
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