Not that quick, not that efficient: 2.4 Turbo is an option best left off the list. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

Under the clamshell style hood, the PT can be had with one of three engines, a base 2.4-litre naturally aspirated motor that makes 150 horses and 165 lb-ft of torque. For $2,700 more you can upgrade to a turbocharged version that makes 180 horses and 210 lb-ft of torque. The unfortunate part of this upgrade combo is its compulsory mate, a four-speed automatic gearbox. Like any automatic, ease of operation is part of the package, but this particular transmission seems to have swallowed a good 20 percent of the engine's torque, making this steamer of a powerplant strangely lethargic. You really have to boot the throttle before the gearbox kicks down to get any remarkable forward progress, though rest assured, it's not turbo lag. Instead, the four-speed automatic also prefers that you 'cruise', encouraged with its tall ratios and decidedly mellow shift points. Chrysler's AutoStick manumatic would certainly help, but it's locked out to GT models only.

Low boost on turbo'd motor means no lag. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

Though the 180-hp engine shares its speedy genes with the rapid SRT-4, the progress of this particular model isn't very wooshy; it just doesn't seem much quicker than the naturally aspirated PT I drove last time around. Instead its strength becomes apparent during passing maneuvers and at higher speeds, where its broad torque curve makes itself present. But to make front-seat passengers grab hold of that new roller-coaster style handlebar, you'll need to dip into your savings for the GT Cruiser which pairs the high-output 220 hp version to a manual gearbox. GT aside, the cost of the lower output turbo upgrade also comes at the pumps: in a week of light 'cruising' I only managed 12.5 L/100 km - yes, that's SUV mileage. It's probably worth keeping in mind that my tester was a just-delivered car, within its break-in period, its motor still tightly wound. On the plus side, it runs on regular - rather than premium unleaded - something worth measuring.

With an as-tested price of $30,045, nearly all corners of the options list

While luxuries like a one-touch sunroof and high-quality stereo are nice, PT is best sampled in base-spec. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

have been explored, including a power one-touch sunroof, surprisingly good 368-watt Boston Acoustics upgraded stereo and subwoofer, fancy wheels, everything that is, except ABS brakes. Yes, that's right, at that price (nearly double the MSRP of last year's value-leader special) you still don't get ABS brakes as standard, one of the best accident-preventing features available, in my opinion, and something that should be standard over $30K. But the PT is best sampled in value maximizing 'base' trim, a bit more than half the asking price. You get all of the facelift's interior improvements, as well as power locks, the MP3 stereo head unit and convenience lighting. Add ABS brakes, air conditioning and perhaps keyless entry, and you're set to go for under twenty five grand, MSRP.