Chrysler minivans

Chrysler minivans
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, a sixth-generation Chrysler minivan
Overview
Manufacturer
  • Chrysler Corporation (1984–1998)
  • DaimlerChrysler AG (1998–2007)
  • Chrysler LLC (2007–2009)
  • Chrysler Group LLC (2009–2014)
  • FCA US LLC (2014-present)
Production 1983-present
Body and chassis
Class
Body style(s)
  • 3-door van
  • 4-door van
Vehicles

The Chrysler minivans are a series of minivans that have been produced and marketed by the American automaker Chrysler. In production since the 1984 model year, Chrysler has produced six distinct generations of minivans; at various stages of their production, Chrysler minivans have been marketed worldwide, primarily in North America and Europe.

Initially introduced as the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, the Chrysler minivans have been marketed under a variety of nameplates under Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, and Ram brands; through the use of rebadging, Chrysler minivans have also been marketed under the Lancia and Volkswagen brands.

While not the current top-selling minivan nameplate, the Chrysler minivans remain the highest-selling example of the segment, with over 12 million produced.[1] The introduction of the Chrysler minivans popularized the use of the body style by automakers in the United States and Canada, leading to competitors such as the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari, Ford Aerostar, Toyota Previa, and Mazda MPV. During the 1990s, the popularity of the Chrysler minivans led to the form factor becoming closely followed by many competitors, leading to the Ford Windstar/Freestar, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona, and Nissan Quest.

Since their 1984 introduction, Chrysler has manufactured minivans at Windsor Assembly, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; from 1987 to 2007, Saint Louis Assembly in Fenton, Missouri added additional manufacturing in North America. For the European market, exports were largely supplemented by the Eurostar joint-venture factory in Graz, Austria from 1992 to 2002.

First generation (1984-1990)

First generation (S)
1987-1990 Dodge Grand Caravan LE V6
Overview
Model years 1984-1990
Body and chassis
Class Minivan
Cargo van
Body style 4-door van
Platform Chrysler S platform

The S platform was a modified variant of the Chrysler K platform used for the Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country and Plymouth Voyager. Chrysler manufactured the Generation I minivans, internally codenamed T-115 during development from October 1983 until 1990.

Models include:

Second generation (1991-1995)

Second generation (AS)
1994-1995 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE
Overview
Model years 1991-1995
Body and chassis
Class Minivan
Body style 4-door van
Platform Chrysler AS platform

Developed from 1985 to 1989, Generation II was introduced in 1990 and called AS. Design specifications were chosen in 1987 and were evolutionary. This was the last K-based version of the S platform, as the NS platform switched to a new cab forward design.

Models:

ES

The ES platform is the European counterpart to the North American AS platform.

Models:

Third generation (1996-2000)

Third generation (NS)
1996-1997 Dodge Grand Caravan ES
Body and chassis
Class Minivan
Body style 4-door van
5-door van
Platform Chrysler NS platform

Generation III of the platform was developed from early 1990 to December 26, 1994, being introduced on January 4, 1995 and called NS. Its cab forward design was defined by September 23, 1991 and inspired by the 1992 Chrysler EPIC concept minivan, designed in-house by Julie Dolan in mid-1991. Final exterior designs were development program approved in May 1992 and frozen for scheduled late 1994 production that same month. The first NS prototypes were built in November 1992 and presented on November 24, 1992 to Chrysler executive management. The 1992 "Reinventing Chrysler" documentary, provided footage of the NS design process in the spring of 1992.[2][3][4]

Models:

GS

The Chrysler GS platform is the global export counterpart to the North American Chrysler NS platform.

Model:

Fourth generation (2001-2007)

Fourth generation (RS)
2007 Dodge Caravan SXT
Overview
Model years 2001-2007
Body and chassis
Class Minivan
Body style 4-door van
5-door van
4-door crossover SUV
Platform Chrysler RS platform
Related Chrysler Pacifica

Generation IV of the platform was introduced on January 10, 2000 and was called RS.

Models:

CS

2004-2006 Chrysler Pacifica based on the Chrysler CS platform

The CS is a variant of the RS platform made specifically for the Chrysler Pacifica crossover SUV.

Model:

RG

The Chrysler RG platform is the global export counterpart to the North American Chrysler RS platform.

Model:

Fifth generation (2008-present)

Fifth generation (RT)
2011 Chrysler Town & Country Touring
Overview
Model years 2008-2017
Body and chassis
Class Minivan
Cargo van
Body style 5-door van
Platform Chrysler RT platform

Generation V Chrysler minivan was introduced at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show as a 2008 model, based on the new RT platform. It offers a new 4.0 L V6 as its top engine, mated to a six-speed automatic. The short-wheelbase model was dropped, and, as a result, there is no longer a Dodge Caravan, only the Grand Caravan. A version of the Chrysler Town & Country is sold in Europe as the Lancia Voyager and several other export markets as the Chrysler Grand Voyager. In Europe this version is equipped with a standard 2.8 L 4-cyl turbodiesel engine (which is also standard on the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan in the Philippines) and six-speed automatic transmission. For 2011, all the previous engines were dropped and replaced with Chrysler's new 3.6L Pentastar V6.

Models:

RM

RM Platform, 2009 Volkswagen Routan SE

The Volkswagen Routan was introduced at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show as a rebadged variant of the Chrysler minivans, manufactured at Windsor Assembly using the RT platform, marketed as the RM platform. Marketed by Volkswagen exclusively in the North American market, the Routan featured revised interior and exterior styling as well as feature content from the Chrysler vans. Production of the Routan was discontinued in 2013.

Model:

Sixth generation (2017-Present)

Sixth generation (RU)
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Overview
Model years 2017-present
Body and chassis
Class Minivan
Body style 5-door van
Platform Chrysler RU platform (Fiat D-Evo platform)

The sixth generation of the Chrysler minivan was introduced at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show with the unveiling of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, reviving a name previously used on its minivan-derived crossover SUV. The Pacifica consolidated the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan nameplates together under the Chrysler brand, with the European-market Chrysler/Lancia Voyager discontinued altogether.

Based loosely on the Fiat Compact platform shared with the Jeep Cherokee (KL) (and the discontinued Chrysler 200), the Chrysler Pacifica is the first North American-market minivan sold with a 9-speed automatic transmission; an optional CVT is offered as part of the first plug-in hybrid powertrain in a minivan.

Models:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Chrysler icon celebrates 25 years" (Press release). 1853chairman.com, Chrysler Press Release. Archived from the original on 2011-01-09.
  2. ↑ Riding the Roller Coaster: A History of the Chrysler Corporation - Charles K. Hyde - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hVdrBEJILA#t=530
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hVdrBEJILA#t=578
  • "Generations: Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth Minivans". Edmunds.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2005. Retrieved January 3, 2006.
  • Allpar minivans section - Chrysler Corp. minivan history, each generation, and 2008 rumors/spy shots
  • Internet forum (in French) www.minivanchrysler.com
  • Van Worth Calculator
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