Chrysler Kicks Off Woodward Dream Cruise with Introduction of New 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5
-New limited-edition 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser buzz model kicks off the14th annual Woodward Dream Cruise
-14th factory-customized limited-edition Chrysler PT Cruiser features modern and athletic exterior enhancements
-New PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 delivers factory customization at a value price of $22,700
-1,750 PT Dream Cruisers Series 5 models will be produced for the U.S.
-More than 1.3 million PT Cruisers sold since initial 2001 model year

Royal Oak, Mich., Aug 12, 2008 - Chrysler kicked off the annual Woodward Dream Cruise today at Duggan's Irish Pub with the introduction of a special-edition PT Cruiser. Announced in conjunction with Detroit's famed Woodward Dream Cruise, the new 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 will be available this fall as a limited-production version of the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser.
"Chrysler PT Dream Cruisers are about individuality and uniqueness, and for 2009 we modernized our next factory-customized edition," said Larry Lyons, Vice President - Car and Minivan Product Team, Chrysler LLC. "The new 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 embodies a contemporary theme with a distinctive two-tone exterior and the use of unique exterior and interior materials."
As the 14th factory-customized Chrysler PT Cruiser, the new 2009 PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 features new detailed design elements. A contrasting two-tone theme with a Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl painted roof and hoop spoiler distinguish this PT Cruiser. All-new cross-hatched, upper and lower solid billet aluminum grilles are individually milled and machined for a true sense of customization. New 17-inch SRT Design wheels provide an athletic stance while filling up Chrysler PT Cruiser's uniquely styled large fenders. Chromed body-side trim moldings provide subtle highlights, and the new boldly designed "PT" front-passenger and driver's-side door badges hammer home PT's individuality, reliability and street cruising credibility.
"Our Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 utilizes Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl to accentuate body lines while enhancing side rails and windows, giving PT Cruiser a sleek appearance with a visually lower roof," said Joe Dehner, Vice President - Small, Family and Premium Vehicle Design. "With the addition of 17-inch SRT Design wheels, bold billet grilles inspired from the DUB Edition Chrysler 300, chrome accents draped all over our Midnight White Pearl Coat paint - the latest Dream Cruiser delivers a new style that accentuates PT Cruiser's individuality."
The contrasting Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl paint theme continues inside the vehicle's Pastel Slate Gray interior and surrounds the chromed ring air vents and gauges on the instrument panel. New Embossed Momentum seat fabric has a performance feel, detailed look and expressive design via secondary layered silver accents. A leather-wrapped steering wheel with bright silver accents provides a great view to the large satin-silver finished gauge cluster with chromed rings. Premium floor mats and door-entry sill plates add a final touch to this special-edition Chrysler PT Cruiser.
Chrysler is limiting production of its 14th factory-customized PT Cruiser to 1,750 units for the 2009 model year. The U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 will be $22,700, which includes $670 for destination.
Based off of the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser that arrives this fall, the Dream Cruiser Series 5 is available with two fuel-efficient 2.4-liter powertrains that are perfect for cruising any avenue. The standard 2.4-liter naturally aspirated 16-valve engine produces 150 horsepower (112 kW) and 165 lb.-ft. (220 N•m) of torque and is coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission. This engine achieves 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. A potent 180 horsepower (134 kW) turbo-charged 2.4-liter is available, providing 210 lb.-ft. (285 N•m) of torque to the pavement while achieving 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
The 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 is well appointed with standard equipment including: 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, temperature display, air conditioning, manually adjustable front seats with seat heaters, front dome lamp, cargo compartment lamp, floor mats, 12-volt center instrument panel power outlet, uconnect studios SIRIUS Satellite Radio, cruise control and leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt-steering column. To top off interior appointments, a 368-watt Boston Acoustics premium sound system and power sun roof are available.
Standard exterior equipment includes body-color front and rear fascias, body-color fog lamp surrounds, Chrysler winged badge on the hood and liftgate, upper and lower billet aluminum cross-hatch pattern grilles, chromed door handles, chromed body-side moldings, chromed stainless steel exhaust tip (on turbo), 17-inch SRT Design wheels with all-season performance tires, unique 'PT' door badging, PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 tailgate badge, fog lamps and a Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl hoop spoiler to match the accented roof. Exclusive Midnight White Pearl Coat exterior paint completes the dramatic look.
The limited-edition 2009 PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 also includes more than 25 standard safety and security features found on the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser, including standard front-seat-mounted side air bags, Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS), new advanced driver and front-passenger multi-stage front air bags with the Occupant Classification System (OCS), 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, speed-sensitive power locks, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes with low-speed traction control (ABS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
The Chrysler PT Cruiser Lineup Continues to Grow
The Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 marks the 14th customized version of the segment-busting Chrysler PT Cruiser since it was first introduced in 2000 as a 2001 model. The 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 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, Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition and Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Editions.
Chrysler PT Cruiser Production
Since its launch as a production vehicle in February 2000 through July 2008, 1,304,702 Chrysler PT Cruiser vehicles have been sold worldwide.

Jalopnik Snap Judgment: We love everything about the Woodward Dream Cruise — the cars, the people, the events, the after hours hoonage, but it's suffering from a touch of backlash as of due to a combination of gas prices and NIMBYism. The hippies at the south end of the cruise have already started running the "Green Cruise" a week prior to the Dream Cruise as a sort of hemp and patchouli-scented alternative. With gas at record levels, now's the perfect time to mix things up a bit. We think this is a great way to make the cruise more relevant. A way to celebrate the future of the automobile, while simultaneously celebrating everything great from the past.

Nine Auto Manufacturers - and Two 'Green' Motorsport Series - To Display Technologies and Provide Public Ride and Drives
PLEASANT RIDGE, Mich., July 23 /PRNewswire/ — The 2008 Inaugural NextCruise(TM), to take place on August 15-16, is a new event - new in both concept and content. Staged in the City of Pleasant Ridge, NextCruise(TM) introduces an environmentally friendly and future-looking dimension to the Woodward Dream Cruise, widely viewed as the world's largest automotive spectator and participation event.

Nine of the world's largest automakers are supporting NextCruise(TM), by providing the public with multiple opportunities to check out - and drive - the latest in "Green Machines" (including hybrids, clean diesels and those with other, new super-high-mileage and ultra-low-emission technologies).

"NextCruise(TM) marks a number of important firsts," said Paul Eisenstein, Event Chairman." It's the first-ever public event that brings together such a large array of leading automakers, specifically to display environmental vehicles and technologies; the first-ever event where the public has the chance to drive such a wide assortment of clean, high-economy cars, trucks and crossovers; and it's the first-ever official Woodward Dream Cruise event that is specifically future-focused.

"NextCruise(TM) helps expand the relevance of the Woodward Dream Cruise from what is primarily a retrospective into a celebration of the automobile, past, present and future," Eisenstein added.

NextCruise(TM) will also feature displays of even more advanced green concepts and technologies, such as fuel cells and hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines, together with experts to provide insight into how those developments can reach production in the not-too-distant future.

"As Pleasant Ridge has the longest stretch of green space on the entire Woodward Corridor, it's highly fitting that the City should be the host of this "Green" event as part of the Woodward Dream Cruise," said George Lenko, Pleasant Ridge Commissioner and NextCruise(TM) organizer. NextCruise(TM) will be based in Memorial Park, immediately adjacent to Pleasant Ridge City Hall.

"Today's and tomorrow's Green Machines challenge the stereotype that environmentally-friendly automobiles require customers to make significant sacrifices: in size, features, comfort and, especially, performance," said Eisenstein. "NextCruise(TM) provides a venue for manufacturers to display current and future Green technologies and engage the public in understanding that the newest Green Machines are roomy, well-equipped and, in keeping with the spirit of the Dream Cruise, able to deliver surprising performance and fun."

NextCruise(TM) also will include a look at the next generation of "green" motorsports, including the ethanol-fueled IndyCar Series, and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), which features a unique Green Racing Challenge this season. The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix - which takes place on Labor Day weekend - includes both IndyCar and ALMS races. The motorsport display will include race cars and appearances by key IndyCar and ALMS drivers.

"Because of the press of competition, motorsport has traditionally developed technologies that have found their way to production cars," Eisenstein stated. "Motorsport can be exciting, competitive and environmentally friendly, all at the same time.

"NextCruise(TM), put simply, is lean, mean ... and green."

NextCruise(TM) will be held in Pleasant Ridge's Memorial Park along Woodward Avenue, north of Nine Mile Road. There will be a public preview on the evening of August 15. NextCruise(TM) itself takes place concurrent with the Woodward Dream Cruise on August 16. Major auto manufacturers supporting include General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volkswagen. Other sponsors and exhibitors include Bridgestone, Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, IndyCar Series, American Le Mans Series, PR Newswire, G-2 Communications and ESI. For information go to www.nextcruise2008.com or email nextcruise2008@aol.com.

As long as we've been going to the Cruise, we've been pining for an expanded course. The route of the cruise has been powerful evidence of the overall impression suburbanites have about Detroit, many of whom haven't been downtown in years. They haven't seen the incredible changes and rejuvenations taking place along the Woodward corridor. Maintaining a route in the northern burbs seemed somehow unfair to the city which was the original source for all we celebrate during those long hot days in the summer. Well, that and Wyandotte. OK, maybe not Wyandotte.

So now, despite the official route remaining between Pontiac and Ferndale, events will be happening throughout the metro area for a total of nine days leading up to the orgasmic happy ending that is the official Dream Cruise on Saturday, August 16th. This is a doubly great thing because despite its official edict of a one day event, the Dream Cruise actually starts about a week in advance. Having shows and events all around the region will hopefully help to spread the madness around instead of concentrating it between Maple road (15 Mile) and 8 Mile. So without further ado, here's the lineup for this years dream cruise:

Schedule of Woodward Dream Cruise Events

• August 8 - Hot Latin Nights at Campus Matius, lowriders car show, Latin entertainment and food
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• August 9 - Jefferson Avenue cool car cruise, Campus Martius to Gross Pointe Shores, including a loop of Belle Isle
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• August 9 - Green Car Show in Ferndale (which totally fits for Ferndale)
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• August 10 - Juried Classic Car Show, Campus Martius, motorcycle cruise
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• August 10 - Motorcycle cruise from Auburn Hills to State Fairground
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• August 11-13 - Summer Auto Show
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• August 13-16 - Big Boys Worlds Largest Drive-In, State Fairgrounds
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• August 14 - Model T rides, Cadillac Square (downtown next to Campus Martius for those unfamiliar)
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• August 14 - Dream Cruise Downtown, Comerica Park and Opera House start
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• August 15 - GM's 100th anniversary car show at the RenCen, including a concert by the Blue Oyster Cult
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• August 16 - Woodward Dream Cruise - The worlds largest single day drive in car show and cruise
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