Chrysler's focus swivels to minivan interiors

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan

NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

Bradford Wernle | | Automotive News / January 4, 2007 - 12:19 pm
DETROIT -- With its current-generation minivan, the Chrysler group cemented its market leadership in the segment with an innovation: Stow 'n Go seating.

Now, for the fifth generation of its bread-and-butter vehicles, Chrysler has come up with Swivel 'n Go.

With Swivel 'n Go, the second-row seats can rotate to face the third-row seats. A table pops up in the middle so occupants can play cards, backgammon or whatever, almost as if they were traveling on a commuter train.

The feature is an option on versions of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country, to be unveiled here next week at the Detroit auto show.

The name of the game in the minivan business is features. Because many minivans look so similar on the outside, the features inside count when dealers go to make a sale.

This time Chrysler took the best features from its major competitors and incorporated them into its own minivans, says Trevor Creed, Chrysler's chief designer.

"On top of that, we added our own unique features," he says.

Chrysler is billing the new minivans as "family rooms on wheels."

For the first time, passengers will be able to choose different entertainment programs because the minivans have separate DVD players. Chrysler will offer a MyGIG infotainment system, which is like having an iPod in the instrument panel. It also will offer an Infinity surround-sound system with nine speakers, a subwoofer and 506 watts.

Chrysler is upping the powertrain ante. For the first time, the automaker will offer a 4.0-liter V-6 engine, producing 240 hp and 253 pounds-feet of torque. That will be mated to an available six-speed transaxle, an industry first. Two other engines will be available: a 3.8-liter V-6, also with the six-speed, and a 3.3-liter V-6 with a four-speed automatic.

For the first time, the Chrysler group will offer only long-wheelbase versions in both brands. That means the Dodge now comes only in a Grand Caravan version. The wheelbase has been extended for 2008, to 121.2 inches from 119.3 inches in the current long-wheelbase model.