Sporty Neon R/T on the way

CHRYSLER will launch the sporty Neon R/T small-medium sedan before the end of the year at around $32,000.

It will follow this up with the supercharged Neon SR/T early in 2002 for around $35,000.

Three R/Ts are currently touring Chrysler dealers nationwide for reaction and inspection, with one each currently in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

While the R/T is on sale in several markets outside the US, the SR/T, which is powered by a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engine, is yet to go on sale anywhere in the world.

"The goal is to take R/T and SR/T and do half of the Neon sales volume with them and half with the LE and SE," Chrysler Jeep Australia boss Judith Wheeler said.

"The dealers have now looked at the R/T and driven it, they like it and the finances make sense."

Turbo PT Cruiser - with a twist

A TURBOCHARGED PT Cruiser could be on sale in Australia this year - but the twist is it would be a turbo-diesel.

The turbo-diesel is about to go on sale in Europe and it has been offered to Australia.

But a petrol-engined turbocharged Cruiser is still some time away from production in right-hand drive.

"We have been negotiating pricing and we'll probably bring in a few just to see what the customers think," Ms Wheeler said.

CJA has requested the factory fit the Neon SR/T's engine into the Cruiser and that is being evaluated.