Longs

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it has only 20 more horse:
power.

‘The standard 2.4-litre
four-cylinder engine (the
same engine that powers the
Chrysler Cirrus) is mast
responsive benween 3,000 and
5,000 r.p.m., and has 2 6,160
r.p.m. redline. I found it to be
quieter and more refined than
in the Cirrus, which can
probably be atuributed to
more sound dampening and
vibration-reducing tech-
niques. Cruising on the high-

~ way is quiet and comfortable
with the engine turning over

» just 2,300 r.p-m. at 100
km/h in top gear.

I was pleasantly surprised
by the PT Cruiser’s standard

" Manual transmission. With a

long shift lever and a round

~ bail for anand grip, I expect-

- ed the standard five-speed

““manual shifter to have long,
truck-like throws. Instcad, the

ssi
‘IT then tried a PT Cruiser
with a four-speed automatic
- transmission and was again
‘pleasantly surpriscd by this
<ransmission’s responsive kick-
“down, smooth shifts; and
refined performance, The
tomatic transmission always
seemed to be in the right gear
to match the engine’s revs. In

fiers snappy

photo Chrysier

IN the “taligate” position, The PT Cruiser’s trunk shelf becomes a table for tailgate
parties. St can also be positioned at five different heights to divide up the cargo
area into two zones and has a rubber coating on one side for wet or dirty items.

fact, the automatic transmis-
sion appeared to enhance the
PT Cruiser’s early accelera-
tion, perhaps because of dif-
ferent gear ratios.

Another positive point .

. about the PT Cruiser is its

tight, solid body structure,

Our NEW. mobile service.
available on the North Shore
-& West Vancouver Mo

quiet interior, and comiort-
able ride. The PT Cruiser
almost feels like a near-luxury
vehicle.

Though the PT Cruiser
has a non-independent twist-
beam rear suspension and a
tall body, handling is quite

Lame eneecmec RA ee RT ences

good. There is some dive and
pitch during initial rurn in to
a corner, but this is partly
because the driver sits higher
than in a normal car. Once
the PT Cruiser is set into a
corner, it racks with stability
and predictability.

ro

Take advaniage of our factory trained
fteehnicians. Oniy a Mercedes-Benz
factory trained technician knows how

fo profeci yeur investment -

eee Re onE

Ask. about our speciai service -
discounts with our new star card for
our older mode! Mercedes-Benz cars.

26

Friday, April 7, 2000 — North Shore Nows - 37

- openread

gear changes

The PT Craiser’s turning
circle of 11.1 metres (36.5
ft.) is acceptable, but models
with 16-inch tires and auto-
matic transmission have a
larger turning cirele of 12.1
metres (39.7 ft.) which makes
U-turns more difficult.

I didn’t have the opportu-
nity to do panic braking with
the standard tront disc/rear
drum brakes, but they per-
formed well in typical daily
driving. I wouid recommend
the optional four wheel disc
brakes which come with ABS
and low-speed traction con-
trol.

Base models well-equipped

PT Cruisers come in two
trim levels, base ($23,200)
and Limited Edition
($27,400.)

Standard features on the
base model include the 2.4-
litre four-cylinder engine with
block heater, a five-speed
manual transmission, power
steering, five-passenger seat-
ing with removeable rear
seats, rear shelf, AM/FM cas-
sette with CD changer con-
trols, air conditioning, power
windows for front passengers,
ult steering wheel, front
airbags, variable intermittent
wipers, rear window
wiper/washer and rear
defroster, tachometer, remote
manual mirrors, 195,/65R-15
inch tires, and front disc/rear

_eoating age" ae

The Limited Edition
model ($27,400), adds stan-
dard leather front seats,
2°:5/52R-16 inch tires and
alloy chrome-plated wheels,
fog lamps, side airbags, over-
head console, cruise conirol,
fold-flat front seat, power
heated folding side mirrors,
anti-theft key system, remote
keyless entry and alarm,
power door locks, “Touring”
suspension, and chromed
exhaust tip.

Options include four-
speed automatic transmission
($1,030), four-wheel disc
brakes with ABS and traction
control ($845), moonroof
($910),

AM/FM /cassette/CD with
equalizer ($490), and roof
rack ($210). A fully loaded
PT Cruiser goes for well over
$30,000.

PT Cruisers are built in
Toluca, Mexico.

“PT”, by the way, stands
for “Personal
Transportation.”

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