IF YOU think Chrysler's PT Cruiser is distinctly noticeable, take a look at the Limited Edition model.
Looking like something that Gold Finger would order, the metallic gold Limited is definitely not for shrinking violets.
And there's no escaping the glitzy image inside either. The colour is not only carried through onto the interior of the doors and sections of the dashboard, but the cream leather seating has yellow panels just to ensure that everything is in keeping.
The doors too gets splashes of yellow leather, making this one of the brightest standard production cars I have come across.
Love it or hate it, it is definItely an easy car to locate in a packed car park.
Opinion on the car seemed to vary considerably, although most friends - and even passers by - were only too anxious to voice their feelings to me unsolicited.
But then the retro-style Cruiser has always been a car that appeals to attention seekers, so why not go the whole hog and have a model that makes the rest of the range look positively sedate ?
Buy one of these and you are making a statement - telling fellow motorists you are definitely a non-conformist.
The distinctive appearance is enhanced by the addition of 16 inch chrome finished alloy wheels.
But despite its fun design the Cruiser is a very practical car, offering the flexibility of a small MPV, with rear seats that can have a multiplicity of configurations or can be taken out altogether to give the capacity of a van.
Even the front passenger seat can be folded completely forward for use as a table top, or to provide enough space to carry an 8ft ladder with the tailgate closed.
The large rounded bonnet always looks as if it should be housing a beefy V6, or even better a V8, but then that is part of the illusion of this American classic. Somewhat disappointingly it is powered by the 16-valve, two-litre engine which is used in the Chrysler Neon.
Wind it up and it does the job, but it certainly does not match the hot-rod-style image. On the positive side, however, you do get a car that will average more than 33 miles per gallon, which you wouldn't get from a V8.
A classic four arm steering wheel and a long gear lever helps maintain the retro styling, although curiously the gear lever is located slightly off centre so that when you are in fifth gear it looks as if it is in first.
The PT Cruiser is one of those rare cars which is ideal for tall drivers. The exceptionally high roof means you get plenty of head room, and an electric seat height adjuster means there is plenty of flexibility.
Standard equipment in the car is high, and includes driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags, power steering, tilt-adjustable steering column, air conditioning, six speaker radio/cassette/CD player and electric windows. The Limited version also has traction control - which can be switched off, ABS, and cruise control.
So even though this might look like a car from the past it is very much a car of today.
FAST FACTS
Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited
Price: £18,895
Mechanical: 119bhp, 2148cc, 4 cylinder turbo diesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd gearbox
Max speed: 113 mph
0-62 mph: 12.1 secs
Combined mpg: 40.9
Insurance group: 12
CO2 emissions: 185g/km
BiK rating: 22%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited miles; 6yrs anti-rust