New York Car Show

DaimlerChrysler’s popular PT Cruiser may get more than a face lift: the whole roof comes off and is replaced with a cloth convertible in a new concept version unveiled today at a New York International Auto Show preview.

While not scheduled for production, the styling study will be used to gauge consumers’ interest in a ragtop version of the hot-selling vehicle.

Already enthusiasts are flooding Chrysler with calls for PT derivatives such as a panel truck and a souped-up hot-rod version, which were shown at previous auto shows as the PT Panel Cruiser and GT Cruiser. A convertible was inevitable.

“Once again, we want to demonstrate the tremendous potential of PT Cruiser,” said Trevor Creed, the Chrysler Group’s senior vice president for product design. “And there is more to come.”