Chrysler minivans (RT)
| Chrysler minivans (RT) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler |
| Also called | Dodge Grand Caravan Chrysler Town & Country Ram C/V Tradesman Chrysler Voyager Lancia Voyager Volkswagen Routan |
| Production | August 16, 2007 – Current |
| Model years | 2008–Current |
| Assembly |
Windsor, Ontario, Canada (Chrysler Canada) (2007-present) St. Louis, Missouri, United States (2007–2008) |
| Designer | Ralph Gilles |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door minivan |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | Chrysler RT platform |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.8 L 176 hp (131 kW) CRD I4 diesel (Philippines) 3.3 L 175 hp (130 kW) V6 3.8 L 197 hp (147 kW) V6 4.0 L 251 hp (187 kW) V6 3.6 L 283 hp (211 kW) V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic (3.3 engine) 62TE 6-speed automatic (3.6, 3.8, 4.0 engines) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 121.2 in (3,078 mm) |
| Length | 202.5 in (5,144 mm) Ram Cargo Van: 202.8 in (5,151 mm) |
| Width | 76.9 in (1,953 mm) Ram Cargo Van: 78.7 in (1,999 mm) |
| Height | 68.9 in (1,750 mm) Ram Cargo Van: 69.0 in (1,753 mm) |
| Curb weight | 4,306 lb (1,953 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor |
Chrysler minivans (RS) Lancia Phedra |
| Successor | Chrysler Pacifica (RU) |
The RT-platform Chrysler minivans are a series of passenger minivans marketed by Chrysler starting in model year 2008, the fifth in six generations of Chrysler minivans. Depending on the market, these vans were known as the Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler Grand Voyager, Lancia Voyager and the Volkwagen Routan, a modified version sold by Volkswagen in North America. Only long wheelbase models were offered with the Dodge Journey replacing the short wheelbase model. While most versions were discontinued in 2016 with the launch of the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, the Grand Caravan continues in production as a value-priced legacy model in North America.
Chrysler debuted the 2008 model year minivans at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show — eliminating the short-wheelbase model. With discontinuation of the short-wheelbase minvans, Dodge offered the Journey on nearly an identical wheelbase and as a crossover rather than a minivan. Although the SWB model, which had accounted for half of all sales in Canada, cost approximately $2,000 less and offered a four-cylinder engine option with improved fuel economy, Chrysler executives stated the SWB Caravan was discontinued to accommodate new features offered in the Grand Caravan, consistent with the demands of the majority of the minivan market.
The RT minivans were a completely new design, sharing few components with the previous model. They abandoned the rounded styling introduced on the NS vans, instead using a more boxy look styled by Ralph Gilles. New features included standard electronic stability control, the MyGIG entertainment system (a stereo with built in hard drive for recording, storing, and playing music), second and third row video screens, powered second row windows, standard side curtain airbags, and dashboard-mounted transmission controls. Much like its competitors, the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey, the Town & Country now featured power windows on the sliding doors and moved the gear shift from the steering column to the center console, in a higher position. Another new feature of this generation was an available rear overhead console which featured LED map lights as well as halo ambient lighting. A new DVD system was also available, which featured dual screens for the rear passengers. SIRIUS Backseat TV was also offered, which featured three channels of children's programming. The Stow 'n Go seats, carried over from the previous generation, were standard, with a new seating system marketed as Swivel 'n Go optional on higher end models. In this seating system, two full size second row seats swivel to face the third row. A detachable table can be placed between the second and third row seats. The Swivel 'n Go seating system includes the 3rd row seating from the Stow 'n Go system, but not the second row, which must be manually removed from the vehicle. This model was exported as the Chrysler Grand Voyager.
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