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Talk about diversity.

The delivery man brought a raft of vehicles at just about the time Ma Nature (or is it Ms. Nature; this PC thing gets confusing) dumped on roof and road.

Quite a selection, a Chrysler PT Cruiser, an Audi Allroad Quattro wagon and a Land Rover Discovery II, all 2001 versions.

While the four-wheel-drive Discovery II would appear to be the obvious choice to handle the weather, the all-wheel-drive Allroad Quattro became the vehicle de jour.

Not that the Discovery II isn’t meant to play in the snow, sand, streams or mountains, but when it comes down to the basics–good looks–Allroad takes the prize. When it comes to appearance, Discovery II is the Yasser Arafat of motorized vehicles.

As for the PT Cruiser? All-show, no-go in the snow?

Nope, the test vehicle came with optional four-wheel anti-lock brakes and traction control that made it surprisingly sure-footed.

The PT Cruiser, however, could use a little more power, even if the folks from DaimlerChrysler insist that PT stands for Personal Transportation and the vehicle is meant to cruise, not race, which will be the job of the GT Cruiser when it joins the stable.

But don’t look for a GT until supplies catch up with demand for the PT. Considering D/C can’t build the PT fast enough to meet stockpiled orders though it now has capacity for 180,000 annually and adds 50,000 more next year from its plant in Graz, Austria, there’s no need to add another version to attract even more crowds and disappoint even more consumers. So be patient, there will be a GT and there will be a panel van version, but they’ll come when D/C needs to prop up sales.

Cruiser bowed last March as an early ’01 model. Running changes were added in September for what is called the normal ’01 model:

Locating all four power-window switches in the center of the instrument panel as well as keeping rear-window switches in the center console (front-seat occupants had to reach behind the console to use the rear-window controls before this change).

Offering an optional AM/FM stereo with single CD player.

Adding a manually adjustable lumbar support to the driver’s seat (a thicker cushion, especially for the back on this rather stiff seat, would have been more welcome).

Adding optional heated front seats as well as an optional storage compartment under the passenger’s seat.

The PT continues to command stares, though we aren’t sure whether it’s admiration or folks simply wanting to look at who was foolish enough to pay $5,000 over sticker for one of these things.

The retro styling is still the reason for getting one. The 20-m.p.g. city/25-m.p.g. highway mileage rating from the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder is also a big plus, as is the wealth of cargo room whether you fold the seats or not.

While the base price is only $15,935 (up $485 since May, when the $550 destination charge was raised $15 as well), the options just don’t quit and boosted the sticker to more than $20,000.

For $1,215 you can opt for a Luxury Touring group, though other than 16-inch tires instead of the standard 15-inch radials, about the only other item in the package worth getting is the softer-sprung touring suspension designed for smoother ride and handling.

And though a stiff $790, don’t do without the ABS and traction control, which let Cruiser perform just as well on weather-whipped roads as vehicles twice its size–and price.

Automatic ($825), sunroof ($725) and side air bags ($350) are worth considering, though costly.

Other than stiff front seats, the major gripe is that the low-slung nose is a trap for snow if you leave your prize outside. Buy an optional brush.