Click "next" to go through our list of ten cars potentially deserving of capital punishment. We've also included ways that they can maybe secure a pardon from the governor. Of course, one of these cars is just unpardonable.

Car: Chevy Impala
Suggested By: MaxForrest32
Why It's On Death Row: In trim levels lower than "SS", the Chevy Impala is but a shadow of its previous self, fit only for duty as a municipal service vehicle. It's one of GM's most revered nameplates on one of GM's most out-of-date cars.
How It Could Get A Reprieve: We've always loved the idea of the Impala and it would be a shame to waste all the positive energy around the name. Perhaps our dreams of a G8-based Impala will not come to life, but in the next round of platforms we hope something is waiting to underpin a truly awesome, RWD Impala.

Car: PT Cruiser
Suggested By: vwminispeedster
Why It's On Death Row: The PT Cruiser has been around for almost a full decade with only minor changes. As cool as the idea of a retro American car was at the turn of the millennium, it's no longer that cool. It was a hit, and now it just wont go away. It reminds us of the time we heard the band Wang Chung at an Earth Day concert. They were a one-hit-wonder and, rather than trying to expand, they just played various versions of "Everybody Wang Chung Tonight." It was sad.
How It Could Get A Reprieve: Retro isn't always bad. If only there were a small Italian car Chrysler could somehow bring over to fill the cool-cute-compact hole in their lineup...

Car: Chevy HHR
Suggested By: Dosdelon
Why It's On Death Row: Much like the PT Cruiser, the HHR was an idea that was probably only going to work once. The high belt-line, aggressive flares and tiny windows scream old GM.
How It Could Get A Reprieve: The Ford Transit Connect has filled an empty niche in the U.S. commercial market and, we believe, there will be some non-commercial sales soon enough. Take the awesome little Ecotec engine and small platform and try making a truly American high-roof wagon.

Car: Toyota Venza
Suggested By: Cgarison
Why It's On Death Row: The only thing the new Toyota Venza has truly succeeded in doing is forcing Honda to make an even uglier competitor. There are numerous vehicles in the Toyota lineup offering similar utility, size, and power. Why another one?
How It Could Get A Reprieve: People love their Toyotas and, it's somehow some people out there seem to love the Camry-wagon Venza. But rather than make a more aggressive, larger Camry, why not make a lighter and sleeker version? What a statement that would make.

Car: Mitsubishi Galant
Suggested By: SubcompactCulture
Why It's On Death Row: We once enjoyed the Galant, especially in VR-4 trim, a delightfully buzzy and sporty sedan to counteract less enticing alternatives. The Galant does none of that now. It's not particularly fast, sporty, or attractive. The interior is awful and the options are laughable.
How It Could Get A Reprieve: The Mitsubishi PS platform is no longer competitive, especially underpinning a sedan. But hey, a new platform with a bit of the edge back and a Raillart version could go along way.

Car: Lexus ES
Suggested By: Cardesignmike
Why It's On Death Row: You may wonder what a successful car like the Lexus ES is doing on this list, but hear us out. Toyota's CEO has recently said the company has stopped making exciting cars and it's something he would like to change. Most of the Lexus lineup is as good or better than most of its competitors. The ES is merely a rebadged Camry put there to bring in buyers that wouldn't be able to afford a Lexus otherwise.
How It Could Get A Reprieve: Why not build something exciting, with value to bring more buyers into the lineup? Less AARP more RPM? The HS was a start and the next generation ES could end up more like the LF-Ch concept? It's probably too profitable to ever happen, but we can hope.

Car: Mitsubishi Raider
Suggested By: OldeEnglishD
Why It's On Death Row: Take a drink for every Mitsubishi Raider you've seen on the road. Congrats, you're still sober. Mitsubishi has never been the best choice for a small truck in the U.S. and the Raider, which shares its platform with Dodge, is no exception.
How It Could Get A Reprieve: Why not a Lancer-based El Camino sport truck? Just because Pontiac backed out doesn't mean you can't. You had the balls to build a sporty wagon, show us up again and build a sport truck!

Car: Chevy Aveo
Suggested By: FlyingStitch
Why It's On Death Row: When Americans looked for small cars as gas prices rose America stepped up with what it had: a Korean car. It's small, crappy, and there are bigger cars that return better mileage. It's the best argument Chevy has for being used.
How It Could Get A Reprieve: We're not sure there are a lot of people waiting for the next-generation Aveo, but GM seems to have a few ideas for a small compact car. We sort of doubt it'll carry the same name.

Car: Maybach 57 and 62
Suggested By: Tonyola
Why It's On Death Row: This is a car we'd typically like but the Maybach is maybe the most expensive parts-binner ever. The 57 and 62 is just old Mercedes with lots of hype. It was cool for about two minutes and then everyone realized how much Bentley they could have for the money and moved on. It costs more than $358K to get into the door and the price jumps by leaps and bounds for all the status symbols you're going to want with it (goatcheese dispenser, anyone?). It's also very dated in terms of styling. Give us a BRABUS S-Class over this any day.
How It Could Get A Reprieve: If you're going to continue to charge insane rates upgrade the appearance, up the power so it'll go 200 MPH and get Jay Z to buy one.

Car: Chrysler Sebring
Suggested By: Everyone
Why It's On Death Row: The American car you'd swear was built in China. It's as if Chrysler had some sort of Major League strategy to destroy the company and move it to Italy and they needed a truly bad car to cause them to go bankrupt. There's nothing we like about it. There are no redeeming qualities in how it drives, looks, sounds, feels, or sells.
How It Could Get A Reprieve: No reprieve. No mercy. The best we can offer is a quick death. Which is better than the pain Chrysler caused us in bringing this horseshit abortion of a mid-size sedan to market.

When the bright white and black turbocharged PT Cruiser showed up at our doorstep for a week of driving, it was just about the time when Chrysler was doing its bankruptcy thing. Here was a nine year old car based on a fifteen year old chassis, tarted up for the big rah-rah-rah hometown cruise and largely irrelevant to the wider market. We couldn't quite muster a cohesive metaphor tying the car to the company's situation, but it felt like one was there. There was a bigger problem though, what the heck do you write about a car that's essentially been been unchanged for nearly a decade?

The thing about the PT Cruiser is the unrelenting adequacy. It makes the internal competition from the Dodge Caliber seem like a Play-School toy. It's old, and despite its long-in-the-tooth styling, it's leaps and bounds better than the Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep brand's much newer, and much crappier econobox offering. The car's always been kind of an odd duck, but that's what made it popular, riding the retro wave with a comfortable interior, durable design and plenty of utility. Such is still the case. Inside, the Dream Cruiser Series 5 gets very nice grippy seats, metallic paint on the dash inserts to match the paint on the roof and not a lot else.

The 2.4-liter turbo four cylinder which felt like a revolutionary kick in the pants so long ago feels merely adequate now, getting maximum grunt from the mill requires pushing it into a place where it's overly buzzy and the peaky power delivery isn't helped by a transmission made of soggy zweiback crackers. It's a comfortable and friendly highway cruiser but not particularly frugal. A basic brand new Civic seems sporty and refined in comparison. The only part of the car we were really interested in was that massive billet grille up front.

Unique to the Dream Cruiser Edition 5, the billet grille is positively ridiculous with a high polish luster and it's thick like a 1st year engineering student designed it with only the crudest of CAD skills. Bentleys don't wear grilles this well-made. You could obliterate a whole patch of watermelons with it. Naturally, we had to know how much it weighs.

It's surprisingly easy to remove the all-aluminum grille. Pop the hood and employ your deft skills with a set of needle nose pliers and the whole thing comes out with the removal of six retaining clips. Total elapsed time, about two minutes. What you're left with is a surprisingly light but very rigid slab of metal. On our totally unscientific and unreliable test scale, the piece weighed in at an impressive four pounds. Thus, the magic of aluminum.

So there you have it, the most pressing answer to the question you never knew you needed to know. That four lb. grille is probably the best example of why Chrysler is in it's current straights; It's a high-quality, high-cost, over-engineered Hail Mary of design with no performance significance, sitting in front a car of humble but honest means, with a loyal fan base, no real development money, and until today, a powerfully short life expectancy. As we said before, there's probably a cogent metaphor in there, but it's hard to weed out.

The IIHS tested seven 2009 model-year small cars and discovered most carmakers are doing a better job of keeping people from dying in their compact offerings. Every vehicle received a "Good" rating in the front tests, though received mixed performances in the side and rear tests.

The best performer overall was the Suzuki SX4, which received a "Good" side rating and a "Marginal" rear crash rating, followed by the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe. The 2009 Ford Focus was the only car to achieve a "Good" rating in the rear crash test.

The worst performer, not surprisingly, is the 2009 PT Cruiser. Having been abandoned with no new model on the horizon by a sinking company, the PT Cruiser hasn't been brought up to modern safety standards and achieved a "Poor" rating in both the side and rear tests. The verdict from the IIHS is quite strongly worded:

In the side test, measures recorded on the driver dummy indicate that in a real-world crash of similar severity, rib fractures and internal organ injuries would be likely, along with a possible pelvic fracture. The rear passenger dummy's head contacted the C-pillar during the test because this car doesn't have rear-seat side airbags. Measures recorded on the dummy indicate that serious neck injuries and a fractured pelvis would be possible in a crash of this severity.

If you're driving a PT Cruiser drive slowly or, actually, maybe a bit faster to avoid getting rear-ended.

The IIHS also tested the 2009 Mini Cooper, which is in a smaller car category. The new Cooper was awarded with a "Good" rating for both front and rear testing, but was merely "Adequate" in side impact ratings.

Full details in the press release below.

New crash tests of small cars: good ratings in frontal tests but many models need better side and rear crash protection

ARLINGTON, VA — Most new small cars now earn good ratings in frontal crash tests but not when it comes to side and rear crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently completed front, side, and rear tests of seven 2009 model small cars: Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Saturn Astra, Suzuki SX4, and Toyota Matrix. All earn the highest rating of good for occupant protection in frontal crashes. Only the SX4 and Matrix and its twin Pontiac Vibe also earn good ratings for protection in side crashes. Among seat/head restraints evaluated, only those in the Focus earn a good rating for protection in rear impacts. The Institute also tested the Mini Cooper, a minicar that earns good ratings for front and rear crashworthiness but not for side protection.

"Automakers have made big improvements to small cars to better protect people in frontal crashes," says Institute senior vice president Joe Nolan. "They've also added stronger structures and standard head-protecting side airbags to help in side crashes, which are tougher on smaller, lighter cars."

Eleven of the 21 current small car models the Institute has rated earn good ratings for side protection. "This is a huge improvement from our last comprehensive round of small car crashworthiness evaluations in 2006," Nolan says. "Then only 3 of the 19 tested earned a good rating in the side evaluation. Most earned a poor rating."

The Institute's side test is especially challenging for small cars because the barrier that strikes the test vehicle represents the front end of a pickup truck or SUV. Side airbags designed for head protection are crucial because the barrier crashes into the side of the car right at the head level of the two dummies that are positioned in the driver seat and in the rear seat behind the driver.

"Side airbags were mostly optional in the 2006 round of small car tests," Nolan says. "A major change is that side airbags are standard in all of the seven small cars we tested this time around."

Small cars have grown especially popular as gasoline prices fluctuate and consumers become more conservation-minded. Nolan cautions that even though current models do a better job of protecting people in front, side, and rear crashes than earlier ones, small cars inherently afford less crash protection than bigger, heavier vehicles. "There's no escaping the laws of physics," Nolan says. "People in larger, heavier cars fare better in crashes with other vehicles and in single-vehicle crashes than people in smaller ones."

PT Cruiser earns poor ratings for side, rear protection: The Chrysler PT Cruiser is the only small car in the recent test series to earn poor marks in both side and rear evaluations. In the side test, measures recorded on the driver dummy indicate that in a real-world crash of similar severity, rib fractures and internal organ injuries would be likely, along with a possible pelvic fracture. The rear passenger dummy's head contacted the C-pillar during the test because this car doesn't have rear-seat side airbags. Measures recorded on the dummy indicate that serious neck injuries and a fractured pelvis would be possible in a crash of this severity.

The PT Cruiser's seat/head restraints are the only ones the Institute tested this time around that earn the lowest rating of poor for occupant protection in rear crashes. The seat/head restraint combinations in the Chevrolet HHR and Suzuki SX4 earn the next lowest rating of marginal. Looking at the larger group of 21 current small car models the Institute has rated, the PT Cruiser still has the worst seat/head restraint rating.

"The PT Cruiser doesn't offer the same crash protection level as other small cars," Nolan says. "For consumers who want to drive small cars, there are many good alternatives to the PT Cruiser, including the six Top Safety Pick winners the Institute announced last month. There are lots of good choices, too, among midsize and large cars."

Top Safety Pick recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, and rear crashes based on good ratings in Institute tests. Winners also must have electronic stability control (ESC), which research shows significantly reduces crash risk. The 2009 small car winners are the Honda Civic 4-door (except the Si model), Mitsubishi Lancer, and Toyota Corolla, all with optional ESC, and the Scion xB, Subaru Impreza, and Volkswagen Rabbit 4-door, all with standard ESC.

ESC should be standard: Among the small cars in this round of tests, only the Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Vibe have standard ESC. It isn't available at all on the PT Cruiser and optional on the rest, including the Vibe's twin Toyota Matrix. ESC helps reduce rollovers, especially fatal single-vehicle ones. When ESC senses a vehicle is becoming unstable, it automatically engages to help a driver regain control and put the vehicle back in the intended travel direction. ESC lowers fatal rollover crash risk by as much as 70 percent. "Cars aren't involved in rollovers as often as SUVs and pickups, but when they do roll the consequences can be deadly," Nolan notes. "The smallest cars that most need this crash avoidance feature often don't have it."

Rear crashworthiness needs improving: Many automakers haven't paid as much attention to protection in rear crashes, compared with front and side, Nolan points out. Good seat/head restraints are key to preventing whiplash injuries. Neck sprain or strain is the most frequently reported crash injury in US insurance claims. When a vehicle is struck in the rear and driven forward, its seats accelerate occupants' torsos forward. Unsupported, the head will lag behind the forward torso movement, and the differential motion causes the neck to bend and stretch. The higher the torso acceleration, the more sudden the motion, the higher the forces on the neck, and the more likely a neck injury is to occur. Keeping the head and torso moving together is crucial to reducing whiplash injury risk. To accomplish this, the geometry of a head restraint has to be adequate — high enough to be near the back of the head. Then the seat structure and stiffness characteristics must be designed to work in concert with the head restraint to support an occupant's neck and head, accelerating them with the torso as the vehicle is pushed forward.

"In stop and go commuter traffic, you're more likely to get in a rear-end collision than any other kind of crash," Nolan says. "It's not a major engineering feat to design seats and head restraints that afford good protection in these common crashes." For example, when Toyota redesigned the Corolla for 2009 it incorporated active head restraints to help guard against whiplash injuries. Active head restraints are designed to move closer to the backs of occupants' heads in rear-end crashes.

Mini Cooper results: This minicar was redesigned for the 2007 model year, and it earned a good rating for frontal crash protection in a previous test. New side and rear tests were conducted to assess further design changes made for the most recent models. This minicar earns a good rating for rear protection and an acceptable rating for side protection. Measures recorded on the driver dummy indicate that a fractured pelvis would be possible in a side crash of the same severity, but there's low risk that other significant injuries would occur to the driver. For the rear passenger, rib fractures and/or internal organ injuries would be possible. ESC is newly standard for the 2009 model year.

How vehicles are evaluated: The Institute's frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of 40 mph frontal offset crash tests. Each vehicle's overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion into the occupant compartment, injury measures recorded on a Hybrid III dummy in the driver seat, and analysis of slow-motion film to assess how well the restraint system controlled dummy movement during the test.

Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV. Ratings reflect injury measures recorded on two instrumented SID-IIs dummies, assessment of head protection countermeasures, and the vehicle's structural performance during the impact.

Rear crash protection is rated according to a two-step procedure. Starting points for the ratings are measurements of head restraint geometry — the height of a restraint and its horizontal distance behind the back of the head of an average-size man. Seat/ head restraints with good or acceptable geometry are tested dynamically using a dummy that measures forces on the neck. This test simulates a collision in which a stationary vehicle is struck in the rear at 20 mph. Seats without good or acceptable geometry are rated poor overall because they can't be positioned to protect many people.

[IIHS]

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.

Food, beer, and T-shirt bribes were also somewhat effective, though a cynic might point out that only teams with nothing to hide actually got into the bribin' spirit. We got enough for some beer and pizza after a long day sweating in robes and wigs in the muggy South Carolina air, so all in all we think it was a good idea.


And, truth be told, it would have taken waaaaay more than a couple of fivers to get some of the race cars past the inspection. For example, when you roll up in your PT Cruiser stuffed full of Neon handlin' goodness, give us a long and complicated story about the crazy deals you got on suspension parts, and then we pop the hood and find a supercharger? Oh yeah, that supercharger! Plumb forgot that! Say hello to lap penalties aplenty (but we respect the attempt, guys).


Then there were some tougher calls, like this Miata. The car was fielded by a Spec Miata-building shop, which meant there was an awful lot of gray area surrounding the value of "parts we had lying around." There was no gray area surrounding the incredible speed with which it screamed around the track during practice, however, and so Chief LeMons Perpetrator Jay Lamm had to be brought in for an appellate ruling.

Well, that explains everything.
[English Russia]

The author goes on to say:

Back to the problem. I promised I'd explain why the PT Cruiser is the mobile of death, and I intend to keep that solemn oath. So what do we have here? A car that was designed based on the subconscious desires of American rejects, that was marketed as a masterpiece of precision engineering, that was passed off as a retro-dreammachine by a naive past-its-prime automaker and that made a lot of people feel happy and young again. What's the big deal? Well I'd like to suggest that the big deal is the fact that the design of this car, and the level to which its target audience (intended or accidental) embraced its fantastically offensive appearance and ravenously gobbled up each and every one off of every lot in the first year after it was released, speaks to a general softening of our collective perception of aesthetics.

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

Royal Oak, Mich., Aug 13, 2007 - Chrysler again kicks off the annual Woodward Dream Cruise today with the introduction of its newest special-edition PT Cruiser dedicated to a great American road that is part of Hollywood legend and the inspiration for countless songs, movies and TV shows - Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Announced in conjunction with Detroit's famed Woodward Dream Cruise, the 2008 Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition will be available later this summer as a limited-production version of the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

"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

Source: Yahooautos.com

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.

Despite the fact the German side of the German-American hybrid no longer wants anything to do with the 'merican side, the 'mericans are still trying to feel pretty inside. That's why they've released a set of four new ads touting their vehicles as being "engineered beautifully." That phrase apparently is the distillation of the fact that "...at its core, the Chrysler brand stands for stylish products, agile performance, refined quality and the confidence of being proud without being arrogant." Well, considering the fact that they're now seen as being Daimler-Benz's little whipping boy, I somehow don't know how much I agree with the fact that they're looking all that "proud" now, much less "arrogant." And don't even get us started on "agile performance" and make us bring up the new Sebring. But whatever it takes this jilted lover to get through the day, you know? Full release below the jump. – Ray Wert

Chrysler Brand Debuts Campaign with New "Engineered Beautifully" Theme Line Auburn Hills, Mich., May 7, 2007 -

Stunning design and innovative technology take center stage in the new Chrysler brand TV and print ads, which break on May 8, featuring the new theme line "Engineered Beautifully."

"More than 80 percent of the Chrysler brand product portfolio is all-new or refreshed in the last 12 months with the recent introduction of the all-new 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible and the debut of the all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country later this year," said David Rooney, Director - Chrysler Marketing and Global Communications, Chrysler Group. "This is the perfect opportunity for us to showcase that there is more behind the sheet metal and distinctive style, and that every Chrysler possesses world-class quality and engineering at an extraordinary value."

Additionally, the all-new 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible marketing launch is May 8. The Sebring Convertible ads mirror the tone and style of the new Chrysler brand creative.

The all-new Sebring Convertible offers a sleek and elegant design, exhilarating performance with excellent fuel efficiency and a spacious interior. It also offers what no other convertible has offered before - three automatically latching convertible top options: vinyl, cloth and a body-color steel hard top, all of which can be retracted with a push of a button on the key fob.

"Chrysler is, and always has been, a brand made by and built for people with a passion for great cars," said Rooney. "Products like the 300 and Town & Country put us at the forefront of the industry in terms of style and design. At the same time, we have made great strides to become competitive and even surpass our competition in terms of quality and engineering. While we have made great strides, the perception has not caught up with reality in the marketplace. Our new communications direction will help get that engineering message across."

At its core, the Chrysler brand stands for stylish products, agile performance, refined quality and the confidence of being proud without being arrogant. The new Chrysler brand direction will communicate these core values through a unique combination of both striking design and innovation technology. Overall, Chrysler promises superior engineering and stunning designs built around customer's needs ... at a price that will surprise and delight. No other manufacturer can make this claim. It's the way our vehicles come together that sets us apart. Simply put, Chrysler vehicles are ... Engineered Beautifully.

Following are descriptions of the new broadcast spots, including those for the Chrysler brand, Chrysler Sebring sedan, Chrysler Sebring Convertible and Chrysler 300.

Technology Throughout (Chrysler Brand :60)
This lead spot focuses on the innovative features within every Chrysler vehicle and the engineering behind those features. It uses a unique and original CGI technique to showcase the technology and engineering behind key features that enable Chrysler vehicles to seamlessly adapt to everyday driving situations.

The vehicle is slowed down on the film at the very instant that a feature is engaged. The viewer is then taken inside to see the technology and craftsmanship that lies beneath. This spot showcases and links together the Chrysler 300, Aspen, Sebring Convertible and all-new Town & Country, along with shared technology of Multi-displacement System (MDS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and MyGIG™ Multimedia Infotainment System. It closes with a shot of the Chrysler brand lineup and the new tag line "Engineered Beautifully."

Taking Care (Sebring sedan :30)
This spot clearly demonstrates how every Chrysler Sebring sedan is meticulously designed and built to meet the everyday needs of customers through purposeful technology, not superficial features. It also shows how each feature has been designed and incorporated to further enhance their driving experience.

This commercial begins with the customer. The car and its features build around the customer piece by piece, via a unique CGI technique, as they interact with the various features of the vehicle. At the end, all the pieces come together to deliver the best possible driving experience - a beautiful "custom built" Sebring sedan.

Key to Happiness (Sebring Convertible :30)
This commercial features a highly energetic and emotional execution of the new brand essence. The Sebring Convertible is featured in a stylized setting designed to showcase its beautiful design and advanced engineering. The main product features are set in unique type on black art cards to maximize impact. The emotional music track provides a consistent undertone for the overall message of styling, design and technology.

The commercial begins with a shot of the all-new 2008 Sebring Convertible, showcasing its beautiful styling. The new Convertible hard top is shown along with the unique art cards to match. We see a few of the new technological features of the vehicle as well. These features, technological advancements and stylish design messages culminate to invite the consumer to hold the key to happiness.

Success (300 :30)
This commercial maintains a consistent tone with the Sebring Convertible "Key To Happiness" spot as it features the beautiful Chrysler 300 in a stylized setting. The main product features are set in unique type on black art cards to maximize impact. The emotional music track provides a consistent undertone for the overall message of styling, design and technology.

The commercial begins with a reveal of the distinctive front end of the Chrysler 300. As the 300 approaches the city, art cards are displayed showcasing the many premium features it has available. The spot culminates in a bold statement that captures what the Chrysler 300 is all about.

Multiple vehicles (300/PT Cruiser/Sebring Sedan :30)
Again, keeping with the tone of "Key to Happiness" and "Success" this spot features the Chrysler 300, PT Cruiser and Sebring sedan in beautifully attractive and stylized settings that capture the essence of what the Chrysler brand is all about. The main product features are set in unique type on black art cards to maximize impact. The emotional music track provides a consistent undertone for the overall message of styling, design and technology.

This commercial communicates the Chrysler brand's leadership in fuel efficiency, as well as its commitment to building quality vehicles that are unique in their distinctive styling and incredible value. No more is that present than with the award-winning 300, the technologically advanced Sebring sedan, and the stylish, yet functional PT Cruiser.

The television schedule features prime-time network and cable shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Boston Legal, Ugly Betty, Dancing with the Stars, Conan O'Brien, The Tonight Show, NBA Playoffs, Big Break 7, Larry King, Anderson Cooper, Nancy Grace, Headline News, Law and Order CI, Law and Order SVU and Dog Whisperer. The ads will also appear on other channels including TNT, TBS, Food Network Style Network, ESPN, CNBC, Fine Living Network, Bravo and The Golf Channel.

The print ads follow the same creative direction for a consistent tone and message. Product is the star with bold photography on colorful backgrounds along with highlighted technology features. The Chrysler print ads will run in Automobile Magazine, Aspen Peak Magazine, Car and Driver, Food Wine, Forbes, Golf Digest, Golf For Women, Jet, Martha Stewart Everyday, Motor Trend, National Geographic, The New Yorker, Road and Track, Southern Accents, Sunset, Tennis Magazine, Traditional Home and Travel and Leisure.

In addition to the new advertising, the Chrysler brand will showcase the all-new Sebring Convertible through two programs done with Hearst and Forbes magazines. The Hearst Awaken Your Senses program includes advertising, Web activity (www.awakenyoursenses.com), product displays and test drive components with the grand prize of an all-new 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. The Chrysler brand is also the exclusive sponsor of one chapter of the Forbes 90th Anniversary Issue and Networking Special Report covering lifestyle elements surrounding careers, entertainment, leisure and design.

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 & Country.

"The top photo is from a "blind" drive clinic in Southern California; it shows the JC49 to be built in Toluca, based on the Chrysler Sebring platform, with production scheduled for December 2007. Chrysler may eventually get a version of this vehicle, which might or might not be called the PT Cruiser; it's scheduled for about 25% of the production total, and would have completely different sheet metal..."

"...The JC49, at least, is planned to be part of Chrysler's long-delayed serious entry into Europe. One of them might be named PT Cruiser but would not be recognizable to current owners. The Toluca plant is set for a $1 billion upgrade to allow production of the new crossover alongside the PT Cruiser; it built 177,370 PT Cruisers in 2005, not bad for a "fad car" in its fifth year (2007 will be the seventh year, including 2001)."

The Dodge Crew (JC49) and PT Cruiser (JZ49) Crossovers (now with "chops") [Allpar]

Related:
Spy Photos: No-Name Dodge Crossover [internal]

Way down under in a country boasting a town called "Tittybong," Drive.com.au speculates on a "black blob" fielded by the Chrysler organization. It's the weird crossover we've been seeing in the states, but about which we had little info. Now, spies say it's the artifice-free replacement for the Chrysler PT Cruiser, which will come in a Dodge version and sport a 3.5-liter V6. So long nostalgic references to days past. We hardly knew ye. (Screw you, Lassa; you probably knew this all along. You insider, you.) – Mike Spinelli

Chrysler 'black blob' to replace PT Cruiser [Drive.com.au]

Related:
Spy Photos: More on That Chrysler Crossover Thing [internal]

Spied! New Dodge "JC49" Crossover! [Winding Road]
The Dodge JC49 Crossover [Allpar]

Related:
Spy Photos: 2008 Dodge Dakota [internal]

Shoehorning batshit enginery into small cars is nothing new. In fact, Carroll Shelby would just be another has-been racer from Texas if he'd not engaged that very practice. But is there no limit?

Will consider working a deal for 1969 Z/28 Camaro, 1970's Cuda or Challenger

Well, I should say so. – Mike Spinelli

2001 Chrysler Streetrod [eBay]

Related:
V10 Turbo Viper-Powered Cuda [internal]

We're all pretty excited here in Motown about our beloved Detroit Tigers. It's been 22 years since we've been to the classic of fall classics, the World Series — and people have gone so cracker-jack crazy over our "boys" — DaimlerChrysler decided it'd be a good idea to get a piece of that PR action themselves. The German-American hybrid's paired themselves up with local NBC affiliate WDIV, and gone and redecorated their lame-mobile PT Cruiser in full ballgame uniform — minus cleats. The result is a car they've named the "WDIV Tigers Cruiser" that for this week and next, even we'd be pleased as punch to call our own. Knowing the Chrysler folks, this'll probably end up becoming next year's Woodward Dream Cruise Edition PT. Come on Chrysler Group — we're still waiting on our orange and blue Tigers / Jalopnik Dodge Charger SRT8! – Ray Wert

Related:
PT Cruiser PCH: Dodge Announces California Edition Cruiser [internal]

Carmakers have been building California edition cars since the Governator was just a seed in the pocket of some Austrian's brownish shirt. Now, as Wert found out — he's prowling around metro Detroit, looking for a free press luncheon and a nice cabernet — Chrysler's building a limited edition PT Cruiser with a West Coast theme. It's the 2007 PT Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition, which is an homage to that famous route along the ocean; both killer of Ferrari Enzos and purveyor of spectacular scenery. Chrysler's already done the Route 66 edition; we're still waiting for the Long Island Expressway edition. UPDATE: Wert and part-time volunteer Jalopnik buddy James LaMoreaux snapped some pics of the reveal and voila — photo gallery!

Related:
Chrysler Launches Limited Edition "Route 66" PT Cruiser [internal]

PTeazer Roadster Gallery [PTeazer]

Related:
More El Camino goodness [internal]