Chrysler minivans (NS)
| Chrysler minivans (NS) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
Chrysler Corporation DaimlerChrysler |
| Also called | Dodge Caravan Plymouth Voyager Chrysler Voyager Chrysler Town & Country Dodge Grand Caravan (LWB) Plymouth Grand Voyager (LWB) Chrysler Grand Voyager (LWB) Chrysler Caravan Chrysler Grand Caravan Sanxing G-Star (China) |
| Production | January 30, 1995–2000 |
| Model years | 1996–2000 |
| Assembly |
St. Louis, Missouri, United States Windsor, Ontario, Canada Graz, Austria (Eurostar) |
| Designer | Don Renkert (1991) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-door and 4-door minivan |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive |
| Platform | Chrysler NS platform |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual (Philippines diesel) 3-speed 31TH automatic 3-speed A670 automatic 4-speed 41TE automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | SWB: 113.3 in (2,878 mm) LWB: 119.3 in (3,030 mm) |
| Length | SWB: 186.3 in (4,732 mm) LWB FWD: 199.6 in (5,070 mm) LWB AWD: 199.7 in (5,072 mm) |
| Width | 76.8 in (1,951 mm) |
| Height | 68.5 in (1,740 mm) FWD: 68.7 in (1,745 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,528 lb (1,600 kg) 3,680 lb (1,669 kg) (Grand Caravan) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Chrysler minivans (AS) |
| Successor | Chrysler minivans (RS) |
The NS-platform Chrysler minivans are a series of passenger minivans marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from model years 1996 to 2000, the third in six generations of Chrysler minivans, and the first to be new from the ground up and not be based off the Chrysler K platform. Depending on the market, these vans were known as the Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country and the Chrysler Voyager.
With Generation III, the Chrysler minivans were available in long- and short– wheelbase models; three- and four-door configurations; and eight different powertrains, including electric and compressed natural gas; on a single, flexible platform.
In development for nearly 5 years from early 1990 (full development from 1991) to December 26, 1994 (final design by Don Renkert was approved on September 23, 1991 and frozen in May 1992), the 1996 model was introduced at the 1995 North American International Auto Show using the Chrysler NS platform. Gone were its K-car underpinnings and architecture, replaced with more modern components and Chrysler's acclaimed cab-forward design. It included a number of innovations, including a driver's side sliding door (optional initially, to become standard equipment later), a first for Chrysler and a non-compact minivan for the United States & Canada (the Honda Odyssey had introduced the first four-door non-compact minivan for the United States & Canada in 1994, although the first-generation Odyssey had conventional hinged rear doors). With Generation III, Chrysler introduced a seat management system marketed as Easy Out Roller Seats: When installed, the 2nd and 3rd row seats (either bucket or bench seats) were latched to floor-mounted strikers. When unlatched, eight rollers lifted each seat, allowing it to be rolled fore and aft. Tracks had locator depressions for rollers, thus enabling simple installation. Ergonomic levers at the seatbacks released the floor latches single-handedly without tools and raised the seats onto the rollers in a single motion. Additionally, seatbacks were designed to fold forward. Seat roller tracks were permanently attached to the floor and seat stanchions were aligned, facilitating the longitudinal rolling of the seats. Bench seat stanchions were moved inboard to reduce bending stress in the seat frames, allowing them to be lighter. A conventional door handle and lock was added to the rear hatch, eliminating the confusing pop-and-lift maneuver which had been required on earlier models. The new minivans earned unanimous critical acclaim: the Dodge Caravan was the 1996 Motor Trend Car of the Year, and the vans were on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997.
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