SINCE its launch four years ago, Chrysler's PT Cruiser has attracted many friends with its unique American hot-rod styling.

Next year many more could be persuaded to join the club, because the range of PT cruisers (or Personal Transportation as the prefix is spelled out) is taking on board a new 2.4-litre petrol engine to replace the 2.0-litre, and will stand alongside the existing 2.2-litre CRD. The new power unit is EU4 emissions compliant, produces 143bhp and 158lb/ft of torque, altogether more powerful than the 134bhp and 139lb.ft of torque provided by the 2.0-litre model.

Happily for the customer, there are no price increases, with the 2.4-litre costing the same as the outgoing 2.0-litre.

Prices start at £12,995 for the 2.4-litre Classic and rise to £17,220 for the flagship CRD Limited. The special edition GT, with a manual gearbox only, costs £14,995.

Next year will also see a new sportier model with the arrival of a GT special edition, based on the 2.4-litre Touring, but with added body-coloured rear roof mounted spoiler, sports suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels.

There will also be a cabrio 2.4-litre, with 100 left-hand drive models going on sale. This model keeps many of the styling elements of the original Cruiser.

Getting back to the 2.4-litre models, both Classic and GT come with manual gearbox only, but the Limited and Touring models offer a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. The manual version can accelerate from 0-62mph in 10.3-seconds, while the automatic figure is 12.2-seconds.

The optional four-speed automatic provides what is called "driver-adaptive shift logic, full automatic or autostick manual gear selection and lock-up torque converter" all easily summed up as a transmission controlled by a computer that adapts gear change to meet individual driving styles, responding to driving situations and road conditions. Autostick means the driver can select manual change if preferred.

While the Cruiser catches the eye outside, its interior design includes fold, tumble and removable seats, a multi-position rear shelf (one that can also be turned over and put on the boot floor so that its rubberised side provides protection when carrying dirty items, and plenty of other storage areas in the doors as well as in the multi-function centre console.

Standard features include engine immobiliser and alarm, driver and front passenger airbags plus side airbags, power steering, tilt-adjustable steering column, air conditioning, six-speaker radio/CD player, powered windows, and electric heated and retractable door mirrors. Other safety measures include anti-lock brakes.

Cruise control is available on the automatic version, while the Limited version offers leather/suede seats with driver's lumbar support, chrome bodyside mouldings, alloy wheels, front fog lamps and leather-covered steering wheel. When the cabrio version arrives in March it will have an all-new body, with extra-large doors and a fully lined, electrically-folding cabrio roof. The leather seats tip and slide for easy access into the back, where the seats can also be split and folded to extend the boot space. Fitted with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, the cabrio will be priced at £17,495 for the manual and £18,295 for the automatic.

Updated: 11:39 Friday, November 12, 2004