Chrysler minivans (RT)
Chrysler minivans (RT) | |
---|---|
Ram ProMaster City (For Cargo Van) |
The RT-platform Chrysler minivans are a series of passenger
Overview
Chrysler debuted the 2008 model year minivans at the 2007
The RT minivans were a completely new design, sharing few components with the previous model. They abandoned the rounded styling introduced on the
Volkswagen Routan
The Volkswagen Routan is a seven-seat
The Routan marked the start of
The automaker's intent with outsourcing production the Routan to Chrysler was to avoid the significant expense of developing its own family-sized minivan.[11] VW announced in an early 2008 projection that the company intended for the Routan and other models to help achieve significant expansion of U.S. sales.[12] The Routan was Volkswagen's first van offered in North America since discontinuation of the Volkswagen Eurovan in 2003, and is not related to the European-market Volkswagen Touran or Sharan.[13]
The Routan features a rebranded version of Chrysler's hard drive-based audio and navigation system—marketed by Chrysler as the MyGig system and by Volkswagen as the Joybox, but has neither Chrysler's
VW of America had projected for the Routan to gain at least five percent of the U.S. minivan market,[14] or 45,000 units of the 700,000 minivans sold currently. In January 2009, VW of America asked Chrysler Canada to stop production of the Routan for the month of February after 29,000 Routans had been shipped to US dealerships. By July 2009, 11,677 units had been sold.[15] In 2012, Volkswagen halted production of the Routan at Chrysler's Windsor, Ontario, plant, despite having a production contract that ran through 2014. In January 2013, Volkswagen announced there would be no 2013 retail model, but held open the possibility that development may resume with a potential 2014 model. The 2013 Routan was reserved for fleet purchasers, and 2,500 were produced by Chrysler during the calendar year.[16]
Automotive industry analysts were not surprised by VW's decision to drop the Routan because buyers had no reason for selecting the Routan over the similar Dodge Grand Caravan or the Chrysler Town & Country, and the Routan's base price of nearly $28,000 was far more than the basic $21,000 Grand Caravan, while the Routan's list of equipment was less than included on the upscale Town & Country.[17]
Jan 2008 | Feb 2008 | Mar 2008 | Apr 2008 | May 2008 | Jun 2008 | Jul 2008 | Aug 2008 | Sep 2008 | Oct 2008 | Nov 2008 | Dec 2008 | Total 2008 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 375[7] | 789[18] | 1,324[19] | 899[20] | 3,387 |
Jan 2009 | Feb 2009 | Mar 2009 | Apr 2009 | May 2009 | Jun 2009 | Jul 2009 | Aug 2009 | Sep 2009 | Oct 2009 | Nov 2009 | Dec 2009 | Total 2009 |
663[21] | 503[22] | 1,029[23] | 2,606[24] | 1,390[25] | 2,099[26] | 1,350[27] | 2,098[28] | 901[29] | 669[30] | 540[31] | 833[32] | 14,681 |
2011 revision
The Chrysler minivans underwent a mid-cycle refresh for the 2011 model year, which included major changes in both styling and functionality. Changes included restyled exterior and interior with all-new wing logo, standard SafetyTec (including Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection), improvement to the Stow n Go seating and storage system, a one-touch fold down feature for easier access to the third row, (The Swivel n' Go seats were dropped) a new center console and technology, a dual DVD system that can play different media at the same time, SIRIUS Backseat TV which offers three channels of children's programming, FLO TV featuring 20 channels of live programming, Pentastar V6 (283 hp) engine replacing previous 3.8-liter and 3.3-liter V-6 engines, six-speed automatic transmission, a new fuel economizer mode, a new instrument panel and instrument cluster, new Chrysler Brand steering wheel with integrated controls that allow the driver to operate the radio, cruise control, hands-free phone and other vehicle functions while keeping their hands on the wheel; upgraded cloth and leather seating materials; new soft touch door trim, new heating and cooling control system. The suspension was heavily re-tuned, with both Dodge and Chrysler minivans gaining a larger front sway bar and new rear sway bar, increased rear roll center height, adjusted spring rates, a new steering gear, a revised front static camber setting, and lowered ride height. This dramatically improved handling in both the Chrysler and Dodge. Other changes included extra sound insulation, acoustic glass, new seats, softer-touch surfaces, new
All three of the former engine choices were replaced by the new Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 with six-speed automatic transmission, now the sole powertrain choice for all models. Interior trim was restyled on both vans, in addition to major exterior revisions highlighted by the new "double-crosshair" grille on the Grand Caravan and a new chrome grille for the Town & Country.
Chrysler Voyagers sold in continental Europe was rebranded as the Lancia Voyager. The Chrysler-branded variant continued to be sold in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, South Korea, Singapore, and China, as Lancia does not have sales operations in those markets.
The Ram Cargo Tradesman, or Ram C/V Tradesman, debuted for the 2012 model year, replacing the Dodge Grand Caravan C/V. It is based on the Dodge Grand Caravan, but with solid metal instead of rear windows and a flat load space with 144.4 cubic feet (4,090 L) of interior storage, and a 1,800 lb (820 kg). cargo payload plus a towing capability of up to 3,600 lb (1,600 kg). The Ram C/V is offered with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission.[33] The C/V Tradesman was discontinued after the 2015 model year in favor of the ProMaster City.[34]
Safety
In the U.S. the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program crash testing, the 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan achieved a five star (top safety) rating in several categories.[35]
Frontal Impact – Driver and Passenger: | |
Side Impact Driver: | |
Side Impact Rear Passenger: | |
Rollover: |
Moderate overlap frontal offset | Good |
Small overlap frontal offset | Poor |
Side impact | Good |
Roof strength (2012–present models) | Good |
Test | Points | % |
---|---|---|
Overall: | ||
Adult occupant: | 29 | 79% |
Child occupant: | 33 | 67% |
Pedestrian: | 17 | 47% |
Safety assist: | 5 | 71% |
Powertrains
The 2.4 L
Model | Displacement | Type | Valves | Power (HP) |
Torque ( lb-ft )
|
hp @ rpm |
Torque @ rpm |
Compression Ratio |
Transmission | Fuel economy ( MPG )
|
Years |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.8L VM Motori A 428 DOHC I4
|
2,766 cc (168.8 cu in) | DOHC | 16 | 161 | 266 | 3600 | 2000 | 6-speed 62TE automatic
|
2011– | ||
2.8L VM Motori RA 428 DOHC I4
|
2,766 cc (168.8 cu in) | DOHC | 16 | 161 | 310 | 3600 | 2000 | 6-speed 62TE automatic
|
2008–2010 | ||
V6
|
3,301 cc (201.4 cu in) | OHV | 12 | 175 | 205 | 5,000 | 4,000 | 9.3:1 | 4-speed 41TE automatic | 17/24 | 2008–2010 |
Pentastar 3.6 L[38] V6 | 3,600 cc (220 cu in) | DOHC | 24 | 283 | 260 | 6,400 | 4,400 | 10.0:1 | 6-speed 62TE automatic
|
17/25 | 2011–2020 |
3.8 L V6
|
3,778 cc (230.5 cu in) | OHV | 12 | 197 | 230 | 5,200 | 4,000 | 9.6:1 | 16/23 | 2008–2010 | |
4.0 L V6 | 3,952 cc (241.2 cu in) | SOHC | 24 | 251 | 259 | 6,000 | 4,100 | 10.2:1 | 16/23 (2008), 17/25 (2009-2010) | 2008–2010 |
Sales
Grand Caravan:
Calendar Year | United States[39] | Canada[40] | Total |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | 123,749 | 39,396 | 163,145 |
2009 | 90,666 | 40,283 | 130,949 |
2010 | 103,323 | 55,306 | 158,629 |
2011 | 110,862 | 53,406 | 164,268 |
2012 | 141,468 | 51,552 | 193,020 |
2013 | 124,019 | 46,732 | 170,751 |
2014 | 134,152 | 51,759 | 185,911 |
2015 | 97,141 | 46,927 | 144,068 |
2016 | 125,275 | 51,349 | 176,624 |
2017 | 125,196 | 46,933 | 172,129 |
2018 | 151,927 | 32,253 | 184,180 |
2019 | 122,648 | 27,982 | 150,630 |
Automotive news reported that, from January to October in 2010, Dodge sold about a third of its 2010 Grand Caravans to rental fleets. The number of returned ex-rental 2010 Grand Caravan to the market jumped fourfold between July and October, depressing prices of used 2009 and 2010 Dodge minivans by as much as 20%.[41]
Town & Country:
Calendar Year | United States | Canada | Total |
---|---|---|---|
2007[42] | 138,151 | 1,531 | 139,682 |
2008[43] | 118,563 | 4,865 | 123,428 |
2009[44] | 84,558 | 3,165 | 87,723 |
2010[45] | 112,275 | 4,175 | 116,450 |
2011[46] | 94,320 | 4,536 | 98,856 |
2012[47] | 111,744 | 3,991[48] | 115,735 |
2013[49] | 122,288 | 8,425 | 130,713 |
2014[50] | 138,040 | 8,944 | 146,984 |
2015[51] | 93,848 | 9,001[52] | 102,849 |
2016[53] | 59,071 | 2,910[54] | 61,981 |
Future of the Dodge Grand Caravan
With the all-new 2017
At the 2018
Marchionne is quoted as saying, "The replacement of the Caravan will be a Caravan-like vehicle. I need another minivan. It's going to be in line with the Pacifica architecture".
Dodge originally announced that the Grand Caravan will be discontinued in May 2020 but has since pushed it back by three months, with the current end date being August 22.[56][57] Its replacement will be the Chrysler Voyager, which is an entry-level version of the Chrysler Pacifica minivan, and will offer similar pricing and features to its Grand Caravan predecessor. In Canada, a version similar to the Pacifica will be sold as the Chrysler Grand Caravan. For its final model year, the Grand Caravan will be offered in three trim levels: base SE, midlevel SE Plus, and range-topping SXT. The previous GT trim, a fleet-exclusive model, has been dropped for the 2020 model year. For 2020, the midlevel SE Plus receives standard "Super Stow-'n'-Go" second-row bucket seats and in-floor storage bin, a standard eight-way power front driver's seat, a black interior with "Cranberry Wine" stitching, and an available Blacktop Package. The base SE trim no longer offers aluminum-alloy wheels as an option. A compact spare tire and wheel is now optional equipment on all trim levels.[58]
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External links