Oh no. No... please... no. DaimlerChrysler has sure thrown any sense of
credibility out of the window with their new option for the successful PT
Cruiser - stick on flames!
As a new factory option, customers can order their 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
with subtle tone-on-tone flames "rippling over the hood and front
fenders."
Tom Marinelli top bod (official title 'Vice President - Chrysler/Jeep
Division Global Brand Center, DaimlerChrysler Corporation') commented with zest:
"The optional flames are a great way to extend that excitement to our
entire PT Cruiser customer base. The PT Cruiser is rejuvenating America's love
affair with the automobile. For those who love customized cars, this is a great
way to rekindle that spirit. There's an entire customer base that has never
personalized a vehicle and this is a fun way to start."
Not the sort of flames we wanted to see...
It's not even a question of just ticking the box - you get to decide what
colour flames you want! Coordinating flames are available in four exterior color
choices: fading orange-to-red flames are available for Inferno Red Tinted Pearl
Coat PT Cruisers; fading blue to cranberry flames go with Deep Cranberry Pearl
Coat vehicles; dark silver fades in to Bright Silver for Bright Silver Metallic
vehicles; and Black PT Cruisers offer fading deep magenta to black flames
highlighted with a blue border.
"No other carmaker is bold enough to offer such an option,"
Marinelli commented. "And on no other vehicle would it be so
appropriate. That's what makes PT Cruiser so special."
The vinyl flames are applied after vehicles exit the paint shop at Chrysler's
Toluca Assembly Plant in Toluca, Mexico, and reassuringly are covered under
Chrysler's three-year/36,000-mile warranty.
The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the flame accents is
$495. The option is available on all PT Cruiser models in Black, Bright Silver
Metallic, Inferno Red Tinted Pearl Coat and Deep Cranberry Tinted Pearl Coat.
