The Dodge Crew (JC49) and PT Cruiser (JZ49) Crossovers (Updated 7-20-2007)
Our new Dodge Crew page is at http://www.allpar.com/SUVs/dodge/crew.html - please visit that page for updates! This page is not being updated except with JZ49 (Chrylser PT Cruiser ?) information.
Size-wise, the new crossover measure in a bit larger than the CR-V, Santa Fe and the RAV4, but it has been compared in clinics to the Highlander, Pilot, and Murano. The car-based crossover will be offered in a FWD configuration, with AWD optional.
Chrysler and Dodge crossovers coded JC49 and JZ49 are set to be produced starting in January 2008, with large-scale exports to Europe starting in 2010 (perhaps set to coincide with a new diesel powerplant? Chrysler is working on a four-cylinder diesel even now, though no factory has been announced to produce it yet. Then again, maybe they want to start out in Europe with the new Phoenix V6 and perhaps the AMT). The JC49, at least, is planned to be part of Chrysler’s long-delayed serious entry into Europe. The Toluca plant is set for a $1 billion upgrade to allow production of the new crossover alongside the PT Cruiser; it built 177,370 PT Cruisers in 2005, not bad for a “fad car” in its fifth year (2007 will be the seventh year, including 2001).
Brendy Priddy wrote, “In addition to this Dodge, the Chrysler brand may also get a version of this. Referred to as the JZ49, Chrysler’s Sebring-based crossover will likely not arrive before the 2010 model year and may (or may not) replace the retro-styled PT Cruiser. Wearing completely unique sheetmetal, the Chrysler model will only account for 25% of the total units built.” It would not look like the current PT Cruiser.
DCX reportedly plans to stop PT Cruiser production in 2009, using the newly-found capacity to export 60,000 D-segment crossover vehicles to Northern Europe.
The JC49 will also be built in China for local use.
For more, see our new Dodge Crew page: http://www.allpar.com/SUVs/dodge/crew.html
