Chrysler PT Cruiser

What You See: A cool, semi-customized PT Cruiser concept car. What We See: A clear look at the '02 PT Cruiser Turbo.

DaimlerChrysler has long made a practice of hiding its future products in plain sight. The original Dodge Viper, Plymouth Prowler, and Plymouth Pronto Cruiser concept cars are proof that many of the company's show toys end up rolling down the assembly line in one form or another. The key to the GT Cruiser's production potential is its 2.4L turbocharged four, which betters the stock Cruiser's 150-hp output by an impressive 50 horses.

The system was developed in-house and incorporates an Eaton turbocharger, a cast alloy intake manifold (that looks production-ready), and an intercooler. More horsepower, and the turbo's 225 lb-ft torque rating, required the installation of a Dodge Neon ACR spec racer's five-speed manual transaxle.

The GTC's extra grunt certainly addresses what is one of our few complaints with the PT Cruiser (we actually drove the Panel Cruiser, another concept car incorporating the same driveline as the GT Cruiser shown here). Its power increase is felt throughout the rev range, and the fun factor increases by a bunch. A short intake tract means minimal turbo lag. Boost checks in at relatively low rpm levels, making for a much crisper launch-we estimate a 1.5-sec drop in 0-60-mph times. Other than the burbling low-restriction exhaust system-which sounds great, but probably wouldn't pass a government sound test-this turbo install feels vice free and ready for the showroom.

Which it probably is. We hear that a turbo-motivated PT Cruiser is, in fact, on its way as a production reality for the '02 model year. It likely will include sportier suspension tuning, 17-in. wheels and tires, and maybe a revised front end, similar to the one on this GT concept. We'll let you know as soon as we drive one. Or maybe we just did.