Chrysler Pronto Cruizer
Encyclopedia
The Chrysler Pronto Cruizer was a concept car
designed by Bryan Nesbitt
for Chrysler
, then DaimlerChrysler — a design that ultimately evolved into the Chrysler PT Cruiser
.
The Pronto Cruizer debuted at the 1999 Geneva Auto Show as a possible Plymouth
model — as with other "Pronto" concepts, the 1997 Plymouth Pronto
and 1998 Plymouth Pronto Spyder
). The Pronto Cruizer became a Chrysler due to the planned discontinuation of the Plymouth marque.
The vehicle carried a 1.6 L I4
engine with a five-speed manual transmission
borrowed from the second generation Dodge/Plymouth Neon
. The design was also derived from the Neon, but with elements borrowed from another DaimlerChrysler concept car, the Plymouth Pronto
. The Pronto Cruizer had a grille
and fender
s that rivaled the one used on the unique Plymouth Prowler
. A roll-back fabric top was used on the Pronto Cruizer as well.
model with an Aztec Yellow paint job. Later, another scale model of the Pronto Cruizer was released by Maisto, this time having a theme from Marvel
's Incredible Hulk.
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
designed by Bryan Nesbitt
Bryan Nesbitt
Bryan Nesbitt is an automobile designer and currently head of General Motors Corporation International Operations Design, based in Shanghai, China. Nesbitt is also brand chairman for Wuling and Baojun, two automakers with which G.M...
for Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
, then DaimlerChrysler — a design that ultimately evolved into the Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler PT Cruiser
The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a retro styled compact automobile launched by Chrysler as a 5-door hatchback in early 2000 and as a 2-door convertible in early 2005 ....
.
The Pronto Cruizer debuted at the 1999 Geneva Auto Show as a possible Plymouth
Plymouth (automobile)
Plymouth was a marque of automobile based in the United States, produced by the Chrysler Corporation and its successor DaimlerChrysler.-Origins:...
model — as with other "Pronto" concepts, the 1997 Plymouth Pronto
Plymouth Pronto
The Plymouth Pronto was a small concept car released in 1997. The design was modern for its time along with several retro-style touches. The front of the Pronto resembled that of the Plymouth Prowler. The Pronto also featured a roll-back fabric top...
and 1998 Plymouth Pronto Spyder
Plymouth Pronto Spyder
The Plymouth Pronto Spyder was a 2-door roadster concept car revealed in 1998. It never went into production, partly because of the discontinuation of the Plymouth brand, but largely because it was meant as a rolling test of styling and mechanical concepts....
). The Pronto Cruizer became a Chrysler due to the planned discontinuation of the Plymouth marque.
The vehicle carried a 1.6 L I4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
engine with a five-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
borrowed from the second generation Dodge/Plymouth Neon
Dodge Neon
The Plymouth/Dodge Neon, sold in Europe, Mexico, Canada, and elsewhere outside the United States as the Chrysler Neon, is a compact front wheel drive car introduced in January 1994 for the 1995 model year by Chrysler Corporation's Dodge and Plymouth brands...
. The design was also derived from the Neon, but with elements borrowed from another DaimlerChrysler concept car, the Plymouth Pronto
Plymouth Pronto
The Plymouth Pronto was a small concept car released in 1997. The design was modern for its time along with several retro-style touches. The front of the Pronto resembled that of the Plymouth Prowler. The Pronto also featured a roll-back fabric top...
. The Pronto Cruizer had a grille
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
and fender
Fender (vehicle)
Fender is the US English term for the part of an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle body that frames a wheel well . Its primary purpose is to prevent sand, mud, rocks, liquids, and other road spray from being thrown into the air by the rotating tire. Fenders are typically rigid and can be...
s that rivaled the one used on the unique Plymouth Prowler
Plymouth Prowler
The Plymouth Prowler, later the Chrysler Prowler, is a "retro" styled production car built in 1997 and 1999-2002. The Prowler was based on the 1993 concept car of the same name.- Design :...
. A roll-back fabric top was used on the Pronto Cruizer as well.
Scale model reproductions
The Pronto Cruizer was recreated as a scale model by Maisto, reproduced first as a 1:18 scale1:18 scale
1:18 scale diecast replicas are diecast replicas in 1:18 scale or 1/18th the size of the real vehicle. Most popular in this category are 1:18 scale diecast automobile replicas - usually made out of zinc alloy with plastic parts...
model with an Aztec Yellow paint job. Later, another scale model of the Pronto Cruizer was released by Maisto, this time having a theme from Marvel
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
's Incredible Hulk.