TAKING its leaf out of the ZZ Top school of motoring, the Chrysler PT Cruiser Cabriolet is destined to prove a hit in Britain this summer. took one for a spin and found it plenty of fun.

IT SEEMS the Brits are eternal optimists when it comes to the Cabriolet.

We’re apparently the highest consumers in Europe of open-top motoring, despite having the kind of meteorological unpredicatabilty that comes close to that found in the deepest Amazon.

But there’s just no getting away from the fact that feeling the breeze through your hair on those relatively infrequent hot days (and odd scorcher as with this July) is just brilliant.

Chrysler’s decision to throw its hat into the ring with the PT Cruiser Cabriolet comes as a pleasant surprise and one that will doubtless find many admirers.

Design-wise, it is going to be attracting plenty of attention with its bold shiny-grilled bonnet, chunky exterior and retro American styling.

My housemate probably put it best in describing it as a "ZZ top car", perfect for cruising round on a hot sunny afternoon.

Certainly for the money (£16,650 for the manual and £17,470 automatic) they represent fun motoring that’s not going to leave you having to remortgage your home.

Following the success of a limited run of left-hand-drive imports, the company is going full steam ahead with its UK models, which are certain to be snapped up quickly.

In comparison to many cabriolets, this is an especially spacious vehicle and can easily accommodate anyone over 6ft like myself.

Pull up a pew in its comfy seats and you’ll not be blinded by science with the dashboard that greets you. This is pure and simple motoring with clear, large speed and rev dials nestled behind the steering wheel.

The central binnacle is equally uncluttered with old-school dials for the air conditioning, a 1950s style clock and easily operable CD system. You could hardly ask for an easier set-up.

For a touring car you might have expected a sat-nav system, but this would clearly look out of kilter with its defiantly bygone era feel.

Our US cousins have benefited from a turbo-powered engine which has sadly been lost in translation for the British model.

While the 2.4 litre, 150bhp automatic is never going to be seen out on the track at Brands Hatch, it is far from being sluggish and manages 0-60 in a shade over 11 seconds.

Not having to worry about those gear changes will allow you to take in the scenery better with the top down.

This is thankfully a doddle to operate via a twisting handle and is billed as being the quickest opening hood for its class in just 10 seconds.

One of its biggest boons has to be the generous rear seating which can happily take two adults.

There is also a decent-sized boot which could handle small luggage for a weekend away or a couple of golf bags.

In terms of its handling, it is assured enough and handled a variety of road conditions with ease, which is exactly what you’d want from a car of this ilk.

Chrysler has come up trumps with this fun, practical and competitively-priced cabriolet. This is a car destined to gain plenty of admiring glances.

Factfile

Chrysler PT Cruiser Cabrio 2.4

Prices: £16,650-£17,470 - on the road
Insurance group: 15
CO2 emissions: 231-251g/km
Performance: Max Speed 118mph / 0-60mph 11.1s
Fuel consumption: (urban) 24.6mpg / (extra urban) 40.4mpg / (combined) 32.5mpg
Standard safety features: Driver, passenger and side airbags, ABS
Dealer details: Whitehouse Maidstone, 1-17 The Broadway, Maidstone, ME16 8QX. Telephone: 01622 686864.