FIRST LOOK: DCX Minivans

[Flybrian]

2008 Chrysler Town & Country | Dodge Caravan

Press Release

• Fifth generation of industry-leading Chrysler Group minivans to arrive this fall
• All-new exterior and interior design for a more contemporary appearance
• Thirty-five new or improved features make the 2008 Chrysler Group minivans "family rooms on wheels"
• Five models, three distinct seating and storage systems and three powertrains, including a minivan-first six-speed transaxle, offer the right ingredients for any active lifestyle

The all-new 2008 Dodge and Chrysler minivans once again prove they have the right ingredients to be the best vehicles to move people and cargo. With 35 new and improved features, the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country aren't just practical vehicles, they also have the right mix to be "family rooms on wheels," with something for everyone to enjoy.

"The all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan spice up the minivan recipe by offering an all-new contemporary appearance, five different models, three distinct seating and storage systems, unmatched entertainment systems and the safety you expect and deserve," said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Chrysler Group Marketing. "Add in three powertrain options, clever interior features and industry-leading functionality, and you have a recipe that will be a favorite with any family."

The newest ingredient for functional family seating is the all-new Swivel 'n Go™ seating system. Swivel 'n Go offers second row seats that swivel 180 degrees to face the third row with a removable table that installs between the two rows, covered storage bins in the floor of the second row, third-row uncovered storage and fold-in-the-floor third-row seating. Swivel 'n Go also offers an available industry-first integrated child booster seat in the second-row quad chair and an available minivan-exclusive one-touch power-folding third-row 60/40 bench seat.

"Chrysler Group engineers turned the tables on traditional seat systems to come up with a technology that lets families have more choices of how to spend their time while traveling," said Larry Lyons, Vice President – Chrysler Group Front-wheel-drive Product Team. "With Swivel 'n Go, second- and third-row passengers can face each other to have a conversation, play games or have a meal on the go."

Safety is a key part of any minivan recipe, and that continues to be true with the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. All-row supplemental side-curtain air bags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with traction control and brake assist, LATCH child seat anchor system and a patented, energy-absorbing steering column are among the standard safety features included in the 2008 Dodge and Chrysler minivans. Innovations like an industry-first integrated child booster seat, ParkView™ rear back-up camera, a rearview interior conversation mirror, integrated child safety seat and ParkSense® rear back-up system also ensure peace of mind while traveling.

MINIVAN INNOVATION LEADERSHIP

The modern minivan was invented by the former Chrysler Corporation in 1983. Since then, the Chrysler Group has sold more than 11 million minivans and invented more than 60 minivan firsts that not only have revolutionized the minivan segment, but made their way into other vehicle segments as well.

"Chrysler Group is the leader in bringing innovations to the minivan segment, and those innovations seem to have an uncanny way of ending up in other products," said Lyons. "Integrated child safety seats, dual-zone temperature controls, a power liftgate and DVD entertainment are just some of the features that started in a minivan, but are now available in other vehicle segments."

For 2008, the Chrysler Town & Country (sold as the Chrysler Grand Voyager in most markets outside North America) and Dodge Grand Caravan offer value, functionality, safety and a package of innovative features that no other manufacturer can match. With 35 new or improved features, the all-new 2008 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan offer consumers a home away from home.

"The 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan offer the best amenities for today's busy families," said Murphy. "With a dual DVD system that plays different media at the same time, pinpoint LED lighting to read by, a table to play games or finish homework, a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic, power sliding doors and liftgate and YES Essentials® cloth seats, every member of the family will enjoy their journey."

UNMATCHED FUNCTIONALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country have spiced up the recipe for minivan success to include a place for everything. A premium, multi-function, front-row sliding console, dual glove boxes, second-row covered storage bins, third-row storage area and clever storage bins and pockets offer more places to store things than ever before.

Three distinct seating configurations are available for 2008 in North America. They include a second-row bench seat with second-row covered storage bins and third-row fold-in-the-floor seating, a Stow 'n Go® seating and storage system that offers the only second- and third-row fold-in-the-floor seats in the industry and the new Swivel 'n Go seating that allows the second row seats to swivel 180 degrees to face rearward. Swivel 'n Go also includes a removable table that fits between the second and third rows with a fold-in-the-floor third-row seat. A one-touch power-folding third-row seat also is available.

Available comfort and convenience features include a new, removable sliding front console that is large enough to store a purse; remote start; heated first- and second-row leather or cloth seats; rearview interior conversation mirror; YES Essentials stain-resistant, odor-resistant, anti-static cloth fabric; a removable flashlight in the rear quarter panel; first- and second-row power windows; second- and third-row retractable sun shades; power sliding doors; power liftgate with power button on the key fob and rear-pillar, ambient halo lighting; movable, pinpoint Light Emitting Diode (LED) reading lamps; map lights; and a dual- or tri-zone heating and cooling system.

"To get the best recipe of comfort, security and flexibility that fits any lifestyle, we added comfort features like remote start, heated first- and second-row cloth or leather seats and ambient lighting, then mixed in standard safety features like all-row supplemental side-curtain air bags and ESP," said Ann Fandozzi, Director – Chrysler Group Front-wheel-drive Product Marketing. "Clever features found in the 2008 Chrysler Group minivans include a 'Swiss-army-knife-like' sliding front console and a removable flashlight in the rear quarter panel."

Entertainment features include a dual DVD, multimedia entertainment system that can play different media at the same time, MyGIG™ CD/DVD/HDD/MP3/satellite radio with voice-activated capability, touch screen and real-time traffic and navigation, UConnect hands-free communication system with Bluetooth® technology, mesh side pockets on the second-row seats that can hold iPods, hand-held gaming systems or beverages, 110V inverter, two second-row output/input jacks with a 12-volt power outlet and an overhead console with bins large enough to store headphones.

MODEL LINEUP

Five models and three powertrains are available for the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. Dodge offers two models: the Dodge Grand Caravan SE and Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. Chrysler offers three models: the Chrysler Town & Country LX, the Chrysler Town & Country Touring and the Chrysler Town & Country Limited.

Powertrain choices for North America include a new 4.0-liter V-6 aluminum engine mated to a new six-speed transaxle that produces 240 hp (179 kW) and 253 lb.-ft. (343 N•m) of torque, a 3.8-liter V-6 aluminum engine mated to a new six-speed transaxle that produces 198 hp (148 kW) and 230 lb.-ft. (312 N•m) of torque or a 3.3-liter flex-fuel-capable (FFV) V-6 aluminum engine mated to a four-speed transaxle that produces 170 hp (127 kW) and 205 lb.-ft. (278 N•m) of torque. The varied powertrain options provide a pleasant driving experience in a variety of conditions.

"Chrysler Group has been a leader in flex-fuel-capable vehicles," said Lyons. "We sold our first minivan capable of running on E85 in 1998, and since then, Chrysler Group has sold more than 1,330,000 flex-fuel minivans."

Full model details and feature availability for markets outside the United States will be released ahead of the vehicles' launch in each respective market.

MANUFACTURING INFORMATION

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans will be built at Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and St. Louis South Assembly Plant in Fenton, Missouri.

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country are expected to be in dealerships in the United States in the fall of 2007.

Photo Gallery

Dodge Grand Caravan

Chrysler Town & Country

Interiors

[Northstar]

They look fine for minivans, I think. The rear end is odd, but the rest is not bad considering it's a minivan.

[Sixty8panther]

Eh... not bad but nothing revolutionary.

It looks like a mild reskin of the 1984 originals, and I'm not exagerating much.

[Cadillacfan]

Boring Design. Though, that's what most people expect in this segment. Slightly changing topic:

What the hell Chrysler?! You're continually shooting yourself in the foot. The company can't make up it's mind on a design theme.

I'll give DCX credit though. At least they didn't chicken out like GM and Ford did and leave the market altogether.

Still, they could've done a much better job at this.

Edited January 3, 2007 by Cadillacfan

[big blue]

Attractive, although its not stomping out any new grounds. I think it actually reminds me more of the early 90's vans than the originals.

[G. David Felt]

Boring and Ugly as all Minivans are but then these will still sell in large quantities to the large familys that need people movers.

I totally agree, at least they are sticking it out in a segment they created and have grown. I do now more than ever believe that GM has done the right thing in killing off the minivans and moving to the crossovers. I think they will have greater success here.

[Cory Wolfe]

Pitiful looking.

[Dragon]

Seems the Big 3 are taking an either or attitude, which is understandable considering their finances right now.

GM and Ford are jumping on the cross-over wagon early, hoping to make more money on them than they would have mini-vans. DCX on the other hand, is sticking with the mini-van (aka gravy) train, but they have pretty much left the crossover market alone

[ZL-1]

meh

[z28luvr01]

I can see why this segment is dying - noone even tries to make a good looking minivan anymore.

[torobud]

Content at a price is probably the most important thing for these minivans...

Along with exclusive features such as the my gig entertainment and stow-n-go

[aaaantoine]

They could have done so much worse.

But again with the chrome strip above the license plate...

[Drew Dowdell]

Looks like they found a use for all those left over Chrysler 300M grill inserts.

[cardood]

While the outside might be viewed as conservative, it is important to remember all the tricks that might be in store on the inside.

c|d

[FAPTurbo]

The rear looks like it came off a Durango... funny, considering the Durango looks like a minivan at times...

I'll have to see them in person, but so far, the design doesn't look good at all. It's a bit of a mishmash...

[sciguy_0504]

I'll take a Quest, please.

[jbartley]

AWFUL!

And didn't the guy who designed the 300C help with this design?

this looks like current T&C and the Sebring had an ugly baby. that d-pillar is hideous.

[boblutzfan]

The high resolution images look great. I really like the front end of the T&C. The headlamps have a jeweled look to them - a big improvement over the existing T&C - which after eight years is looking tired.

The chromed rear view mirrors and door handles look really nice.

Edited January 3, 2007 by boblutzfan

[Flybrian]

The rear end of the Dodge is clunky for sure. I have a feeling its going to be the ugly one. The T&C - once again - looks rather stately.

[CARBIZ]

I gotta hand it to Chrysler. With each generation of their vans, they have always managed to keep one step ahead of the pack. I don't know how they have managed it for over 20 years now. Seriously. They have out-cupholdered, out-doored (4 doors when everyone else had 3) and out-maneuvered everyone else for decades in what has proven to be a significant market, and one that I believe will become more important in the future, being as gas prices are NOT going to stay low. They even managed to survive the exploding transmissions of 5 years ago and still kept #1 in sales.

I know most of you guys hate minivans, but this van is fresh and is a nice transition from their current offerings. I was getting a little sick of the Dodge grille starting to take over the entire front of the vehicles. Of course price drives this particular market, but these are nicely styled.

I hope GM has something we don't know about waiting in the wings.

[Guest YellowJacket894]

More disappointment than you can shake a stick at.

Hopefully, they'll look better in person. The T&C looks like crap, especially around the front-end. The whole thing makes me think of a digitally remastered Aspen.

[dimitri0917]

Wow! Did they give the guy who did 300 some lego blocks and say " Have fun "? Those are hilarious if you ask me. Volkswagen needs to show thiers now to make me feel better about minvans as a whole.

[turbo200]

disgusting. DCX really has taken the crack pipe to the brain and thier designers seem to be taking too much MSGs.

[AxelTheRed]

Can someone explain to me why we're all complaining about these minivans being ugly/boring? What the hell were you expecting? They're minivans.

[DetroitNut90]

First reaction:

2nd reaction:

I'll wait to judge them when more angles are released, but I don't think I'll be expecting a change of heart after seeing these. I hope they at least got the interior right.

[boblutzfan]

I gotta hand it to Chrysler. With each generation of their vans, they have always managed to keep one step ahead of the pack. I don't know how they have managed it for over 20 years now. Seriously. They have out-cupholdered, out-doored (4 doors when everyone else had 3) and out-maneuvered everyone else for decades in what has proven to be a significant market, and one that I believe will become more important in the future, being as gas prices are NOT going to stay low. They even managed to survive the exploding transmissions of 5 years ago and still kept #1 in sales.

I know most of you guys hate minivans, but this van is fresh and is a nice transition from their current offerings. I was getting a little sick of the Dodge grille starting to take over the entire front of the vehicles. Of course price drives this particular market, but these are nicely styled.

I hope GM has something we don't know about waiting in the wings.

Nicely put. Between my parents (a 1996 LX and a 2004 Limited) and my sister (a 2003 LX) there are three Town and Country vans in my family that have and continue to serve my family well. The Acadia is my 1st choice for a new family vehicle - but the practicality and ease of use of a minivan is my wife's first choice - with the T&C leading the way. I predict a minivan in my family's future - which will bring the extended family total to four...

Too bad GM never really took this segment seriously. And I doubt they have anything in the wings to surprise us. As you said - with gas prices bound to rise again - this segment is here for the long haul. Nothing else beats a minivan for fuel efficiency and people/stuff hauling ability. Who really goes off road in their Suburban anyway?

[loki]

looks more like the CUV's than the last vans they had.

[pow]

What matters in a minivan is the interior...

[sciguy_0504]

What matters in a minivan is the interior...

I agree.

But you may be alluding to something. Should we plan to be surprised once we see the interiors of these vans?

[Flybrian]

**UPDATED**

New equipment info from Allpar in the first post.

[PositiveAboutGM]

I'm glad to see DCX sticking with their minivans and not handing the market entirely to the imports. I like the fundamentals of the 'features list' including HID and the various entertainment options. In my eye, the styling is clean and conserative and well suited to the intended market. My hope is that buyers who can appreciate a minivans comfortable ride and considerable interior room will give these solid consideration.

[haypops]

market collapse - mini vans

I think the out going DC vans were more handsome, than these but the list of features is impressive. I was expecting worse from the spy pictures. The "support" for the sliding door mechanism seems well hidden.

[loki]

looks more like the CUV's than the last vans they had.

by cuv's i meant the GM vans, not lamba's

[BrewSwillis]

Uhhh people......they are minivans. As long as they don't look horrible (like the Quest and Sienna) they will sell very well.....if they continue to have the same innovation and functionality as the previous generations.

You would have complained no matter what they looked like.

[Northstar]

The feature list is pretty good, at least. We need to see the interior though, as Empowah said. Judging by current DCX products I'm not expecting good things, but maybe since it's their most important product they will put a few more pennies into it.

[haypops]

You would have complained no matter what they looked like.

Probaly true, but the present ones look quite handsome.

article on minivan segment sales

The support/channel for the sliding door seems very well hidden.

[Robert Hall]

Can someone explain to me why we're all complaining about these minivans being ugly/boring? What the hell were you expecting? They're minivans.

They don't have to be boring, though...look at the Estima..downright sexy for a minivan...not sold in NA, though..

[MyerShift]

Except for the odd rear bumper detail, I like them.

These vans (at least the Town&Country) are tasteful and attractive,a thorough update over the current ones which have staled on the market more than they should have. Their more upright styling should technically yield better interior dimensions for cargo.

Why are some people bellyaching over the styling of these? They are minivans after all, and no minivan will win a beauty contest unless it's a Citroen concept, althought GM has proved that minivans can be unbelieveably ugly. Compared to GM's "CSV" minivans which possess nothing sporty or crossover-ish though, these are Aston-appealing.

I also don't understand why anyone would be glad over a shrinking minivan market or hope that minivans would die out, or wouldn't want to drive/be caught dead in a minivan. Spoiled girls, that's what that sounds like. You know what? Minivans (and stationwagons) make more sense as family transport than any sport utility. They're more efficient, more innovative, and never "offensive". People usually don't wish to flip the bird when a minivan goes by because they don't induce any sort of stigma, unless of course it's because of some sort of complex. I mean, come on, are some of you so insecure that you wouldn't consider a minivan?

Plus, these (other than the Toyota Sienna, the only other decent looking minivan to me) are sooo much more aesthetically pleasing than any other minivan. The Nissan Quest is deplorably ugly, GM and Ford minivans are a joke, and although really quite good, the Odyssey by Honda is a dumpy, fat-assed looking tub, and the twins from Korea (Sedona/Entourage) will most likely get by due to warranty and initial quality, but their respective brands will still hinder them. Let's here it for Chrysler for making a vehicle (finally) that looks better exposed than under the camo (a la Sebring).

Chrysler would be considered ludicrous if they abandoned the segement as we know it that they created. Chrysler did it first, they did it right, and continue to be ahead of everyone else with their vans, much as BMW seems to always be ahead of the curve with the 3-series or Honda with its family oriented sedan, the Accord.

So Chrysler, to you, I raise my glass!

[BrewSwillis]

I'll take a Quest, please.

Yeah.....what a handsome vehicle

:rotflmao:

It looks like it has down syndrome!

[Robert Hall]

Except for the odd rear bumper detail, I like them.

Why are some people bellyaching over the styling of these? They are minivans after all, and no minivan will win a beauty contest unless it's a Citroen concept, althought GM has proved that minivans can be unbelieveably ugly. Compared to GM's "CSV" minivans which possess nothing sporty or crossover-ish though, these are Aston-appealing.

I also don't understand why anyone would be glad over a shrinking minivan market or hope that minivans would die out, or wouldn't want to drive/be caught dead in a minivan. Spoiled girls, that's what that sounds like. You know what? Minivans (and stationwagons) make more sense as family transport than any sport utility. They're more efficient, more innovative, and never "offensive". People usually don't wish to flip the bird when a minivan goes by because they don't induce any sort of stigma, unless of course it's because of some sort of complex. I mean, come on, are some of you so insecure that you wouldn't consider a minivan?

I think that comes from the fact that many of the posters on this board are kids..they don't have kids..

[MyerShift]

I think that comes from the fact that many of the posters on this board are kids..they don't have kids..

But... I just turned 20, I have NO kids, but I like minvans.

I remember when I was in elementary and told my friend (the neighbour girl, Jenn) that I wanted a Plymouth Voyager (one with the 2.2L Turbo 4, hehe) and she was like, no, no you don't.

But, sadly, that probably is the case.

Edited January 4, 2007 by MyerShift

[MyerShift]

Yeah.....what a handsome vehicle

:rotflmao:

It looks like it has down syndrome!

Dude... you KNOW it has Down Syndrome... Down-Right-Ugly-Syndrome!

[Jazzhead]

Heck, when I was 20 I liked minivans, too. Remove the rear seat, throw down a mattress . . .

The new DCXers look handsome and entirely appropriate for the segment. Congrats to DCX, likely the last domestic minivan maker, and the best.

Edited January 4, 2007 by Jazzhead

[Flybrian]

Well, after the 'minivans suck' torrent, check out the feature list. Seems nice. Rumor also says AWD may return even with Stow'n'Go.

[MyerShift]

All-wheel-drive returning with Stow n' Go hasn't been a secret for this long.

I believe Allpar alluded to Chrysler seeking a way to combine them in the next generation of minivans. That way Chrysler wouldn't lose or would attract back customers looking for AWD in Chrysler vans.

Umm, I live minivans for other reasons... lol.

[ocnblu]

I prefer GM's Lambdas to these, but these Mopars are easily still the best in the segment. As always, well done Chrysler. You understand this customer better than any other company. This is the biggest stylistic leap for these since... what, the 2nd to 3rd gen?

[DetroitNut90]

Don't get me wrong, I don't think these are bad. As long as they are flexible and offer innovative features and a spacious interior, they'll serve their purpose admirably. However, Chrysler itself showed us that it is possible to have a handsome minivan (current Grand Caravan, especially the SXT). From the preview images, I don't think that factor got incorporated into the new vans as well as it could have been. Of course, that view may change when, like I said, more angles are released.

Edited January 4, 2007 by DetroitNut90

[NOS2006]

Looks like I did a pretty damn good job chopping this out so far... (I'll post my chop after the Dodge's face is shown).

[JWilly48519]

I'm ready to buy. Loaded.

Checkbook's in the other room. Replacing an AWD Olds Silhouette.

I have to have a minivan platform to get the cubage and length behind the second row that I want. The third row will never be up.

Only issues are, I have to be able to get AWD, and I hope they intro with at least one excitement color and with some upscale rubber/wheels available.

Supposedly this same platform will be built as a VW version for North America only. I wonder if the VW version will offer a small turbodiesel and a ZF transmission.

Edited January 4, 2007 by JWilly48519

[NOS2006]

I'm ready to buy. Checkbook's in the other room. Replacing an AWD Olds Silhouette. Loaded.

Only issues are, I have to be able to get AWD, and I hope they intro with at least one excitement color and with some upscale rubber/wheels available.

Don't worry, I'm sure they'll have a DUB edition.