Since Chrysler and the Daimler Benz Group merged, it's been interesting trying to work out who's been the bigger beneficiary. The Germans have gained a huge foothold into the world's largest auto market while the Americans have gained access to some of the world's best engines. One such engine has found its way under the shapely hood, sorry, bonnet of the Chrysler PT Cruiser and gives the model broader appeal.

We're talking here about the 2.2-litre CRD diesel, now uprated from a modest 119bhp to a much more pleasing 148bhp. In such tune, this PT makes far more sense than its 141bhp 2.4-litre petrol counterpart, even if you do have to pay a £1,230 premium for the privilege of owning it.

Recent improvements include new headlamps and a smarter dashboard. There are also new round front foglamps and revised tail lights as well as a body-coloured spoiler for PT Cruiser anoraks to spot. Inside, you don't need to be an anorak to notice the differences. The cabin has a much more up-market look and feel in comparison to the previous version which quite frankly felt cheap. The dash has larger gauges, rotating airvents, a 'Chrysler signature' analogue clock and a new stereo, mounted higher for easier access. The centre console has a sliding armrest (replacing the previous fiddly seat-mounted armrests), houses a deep storage bin, a powerpoint to charge your mobile 'phone and has two neat, fold-out cup-holders for rear seat passengers. There are new seat trims and fabric choices too to complete what Chrysler hope is an 'individual feel'.

"This CRD PT Cruiser makes far more sense than you'd think."

CRD PT Cruiser customers choose between three trim levels, Touring, 'SunsetBoulevard' and Limited, now priced at £15,725, £16,640 and £17,225 respectively, which rectifies what was perceived as slightly overinflated pricing. When the original CRD version of this car was introduced, modest sales reflected the market view that the PT Cruiser CRD was a premium product, and many buyers in this very pragmatic market sector instead thought of the £3,000 they'd pocket by opting for something that represented less of a style statement - something like a Citroen Xsara Picasso. That's no longer the case and, if Chrysler can spread the good news, we can expect to see a sharp increase in PT Cruiser sales.

The CRD engine uses common rail technology and a tiny IHI turbocharger to develop its 148bhp. Derived from a Mercedes-Benz design, the engine gives a broad spread of torque, avoiding that curiously two-dimensional feel of the 2.4-litre petrol engine.

Offering impressive torque and performance is one thing, but buyers of diesel engines also want to know about the flipside of the coin - fuel economy. The PT Cruiser CRD doesn't disappoint here, with figures of 47.2mpg on the combined cycle and 32.8mpg around town looking reasonably respectable. No, it isn't the most economical mini-MPV around, but it is usefully more economical than its 2.4-litre petrol stablemate which manages an average return closer to 30mpg.

Wheedling an additional 17mpg out of your car is significant, but the real world characteristics of the engine means the differential feels even larger. Whereas the CRD engine accelerates smoothly on a decent groundswell of torque, to make similar progress in the petrol-engined version requires some Cro-Magnon antics with the loud pedal thus demolishing fuel economy. It's probably fair to say the diesel is a more characterful engine too. It's never so refined you'll mistake it for a petrol unit but neither is its timbre in any way unpleasant.

The styling we know about. The once huge waiting lists have dissipated. In nibbling at the margins of the mainstream, the Chrysler PT Cruiser now makes an attractive and surprisingly cost-effective alternative to the established mini-MPV heavy hitters. The addition of this excellent and much improved CRD diesel engine only makes the proposition that much more tempting. As a tool to demonstrate that you're sensible but not boring, the PT Cruiser CRD excels. Combinations of German and American culture have never really gelled - think Wooden Heart by Elvis or the time JFK proclaimed himself a sticky bun - but this is one amalgam that's curiously logical.

TOP 1 PT CRUISER DEALS

The results below show the top PT CRUISER deals on buyacar

	Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.2 CRD Limited 5dr Estate
	ETR	Mthly £356	Saving £1,369	Price £16,266

typical 12.87% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000