Code Blue for California Special PT Cruiser

Chryslers PT Cruiser might not be selling at the level it did in 2000 when it became the overnight darling of auto industry, but due to an update to its retro design last year, the general practicality of its crossover wagon layout, and its approachable entry price point its still a significant player in the compact class with 79,887 sold YTD through July, up 1.6 percent from the same period in 2005.

Like clockwork, Chrysler will once again offer a special edition PT for 2007, and this year its in honor of the legendary Pacific Coast Highway. Like the ocean that literally shaped the curving roadway, blue is the dominant color scheme outside and in.

The new PT Cruiser Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway edition, priced at $20,735 for five-speed manual equipped models and $21,570 for the optional four-speed automatic, shipping included, features 17-inch, platinum-colored wheels and a chrome grille.

Under the shapely hood is Chryslers ubiquitous 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine tuned to make 150-horsepower, while some California must-haves come standard such as air conditioning, satellite radio, side airbags, accident response system and a fold-flat passenger seat.

If you like what you see, the new special edition will become available later this summer.