It's hard to believe the Chrysler PT Cruiser is in its tenth year on the Australian market. Those who said automotive retro styling was a fad that would never last have been rather quiet of late...

Yet the PT Cruiser almost ceased to exist earlier this year. Not as a victim of its shape, but because of the shambles created in the car market in the USA caused by the drying up of finance. Fortunately while other models in the Chrysler range have been cut, the PT Cruiser continues on its stylish way for the 2010 season.

 

While we have been admirers of its striking shape since day one, we have to admit that the just announced PT Cruiser Special Edition grates somewhat on our visual nerves. Perhaps it's the rather flat shape of the radiator grille, which somehow doesn't tie in with the rest of the body shape? But who are we to say, let the buyers decide.

And buyers are likely to be there in large numbers, because the price of this PT Cruiser is amazingly low. Just $29,990, which includes all on-road costs, puts one of these Special Editions from the US of A sitting proudly in front of your place. That's for the five-speed manual, a four-speed automatic transmission in the PT Cruiser pushes its price up to $31,990, still a more than reasonable figure.

 

In the Special Edition of the PT Cruiser, not only do you get that interesting mesh grille, but also a Boston Acoustics premium audio system with a six-CD stacker, an electric sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels to a special design, and chrome plated side strips. It's good to see that chrome, it really brings back memories of the glory days of over-the-top American automotive architecture.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Special Edition is available in any colour you would like – as long as it’s black!

Though most owners of the Chrysler PT Cruiser see it as being primarily about style, it differs from most other automotive retro designs in also being a very practical machine. This really is a five-door family car with plenty of interior space. There's seating for five, and if the three in the back are smaller than average adults they will be quite comfortable. There's good luggage volume and you can fold and/or remove various seats to get numerous useful carrying arrangements.

You can even carry an eight-foot stepladder or surfboard inside the cabin by folding down the front passenger seat - not many cars can achieve that.

Power for the PT Cruiser comes from a four-cylinder engine and performance is generally enough for most owners, but don’t expect a sporting driving experience from the car, it's simply not about that sort of thing – style is the name of the game.