2008 Chrysler Town & Country and 2008 Dodge Caravan Minivans (RT series)
Video footage: Fun Facts (including what happens if the door closes on your head) | MyGIG and minivan controls | Swivel ’n’ Go, tables, and seats | bloopers
The St. Louis plant also makes cargo vans. Outside North America, both the 3.8 liter engine and a 2.8 liter turbodiesel are available with the six-speed automatic. New features will debut in 2009 — see the “What’s coming after 2008?” section below.
Haga click aquí para leer minivans en español
Chrysler has cut prices of its minivans by up to $3,585, while adding flex-fuel capability to the base engine, electronic stability control, and tire pressure monitoring. The Caravan starts at $22,470, the T&C at $23,190; the Caravan SXT at $27,535, the Town & Country Touring at $28,430 with the Limited at $36,400. Price cuts are $1,950 for Caravan and $970 for SXT; $3,585 for Town & Country LX, $850 for Touring, and $935 for Limited.
Turbos, AWD, and more — see “Minivan Alternatives,” below. Also see Cargo and Commercial Vans.
There are five models, three seating and storage systems, and three powertrains, including the first six-speed automatic installed in a minivan. The powertrain choices will get even more exciting around 2009-2010.
The new Swivel ’n Go™ seats are reminiscient of custom vans and the 1967 Imperial’s Director’s Chair:* the middle row seats swivel to face the third row, with a removable table between the two rows, covered storage bins in the floor of the second row, third-row uncovered storage and fold-in-the-floor third-row seating. The seats have been safety-tested in both directions.
Swivel ’n Go has an optional industry-first integrated child booster seat in the second-row quad chair and an optional one-touch power-folding third-row 60/40 bench seat, not available in other minivans.
Stow 'n Go is standard and Swivel 'n Go is an option; a standard bench middle row will also be available, based on popular demand. The second row Swivel seats do not stow, but they are removeable (they are on wheels). Third row seats always stow into the floor, regardless of the seat system you choose; and the second row covered storage bins come with all seat systems. Eurovans will be made in North America, as will the Volkswagen variant.
This is a completely new model from the ground up, including a new chassis. What’s more, we were told that Mercedes kept their hands off, allowing Chrysler to select the best front and rear suspensions - now MacPherson struts up front and twist bars in back.
In Mexico, as of 2007 (and to continue through 2008), the current short-wheelbase Chrysler Voyager is still being sold, using components built in America and assembled at a Mitsubishi joint-venture plant in China.
What’s coming after 2008?
oh20 wrote that the 2009 models will have these options:
1. Swiveling 3rd row video monitor
2. Remote Proximity Keyless Entry (Key fob can remain in pocket/purse and doors will lock/unlock automatically)
3. Blind spot monitoring: (Aids driver when changing lanes if being passed by or passing unseen vehicles)
- Requires no customer input
- Active any time vehicle is moving forward
- Driver notified of vehicle(s) in blind spot via illuminated icon in mirror; customer-selected audible chime
- Dual ultra-wideband radar sensors
4. Rear Cross Path (RCP) System
- Chrysler exclusive: not available on any other vehicle
- In parking lot situations, warns drivers (typically backing out of parking spaces) of traffic moving toward their vehicle
- Activates any time vehicle is in Reverse
- Driver notified of vehicle(s) crossing behind vehicle via an illuminated icon in mirror, and with an audible chime
- RCP included with Blind Spot Monitoring System
5. SmartBeam headlamps
6. RainSense Wipers
Dual-clutch, automated-manual transmissions are on the way to increase performance and gas mileage. This could make the 3.3 liter engine seem much more competitive, and make the 4.0 equipped mini the fastest in its class, while gaining gas mileage; but they might be used with the Phoenix V6 engines, due at the same time.
Chrysler minivan benefits that haven’t gotten front-page treatment
Kathy Graham, who is described in more detail in the minivan-alternatives section, pointed out that engineers tried hard to keep the increase in weight of the minivans down, despite the features. In addition, considerable attention was paid to aerodynamics, with the wind tunnel process started early on and involving the designers. Many changes were made to the design, including the mirrors (moved away from the doors with empty space between), the rear spoiler (it is there for a reason!), and holes in the front fascia. As a result the new minis will be much more slippery than the 2007s, helping them to achieve what Kathy believes will be similar gas mileage to the outgoing models - despite the extra features, weight, and power. This should also reduce wind noise quite a bit.
Parents have been buying flimsy add-on rear-view interior mirrors for years to check on their kids and make sure they're still in their seat belts and not doing anything especially suicidal; the built in version should provide a clearer picture with more convenience. Given what kids do, we wouldn’t be surprised if it saves a few lives - even if the distraction of looking at it might take a couple as well. Pictured later in this article.
Coming up after 2010 or so may be a new series of V6 engines, spreading of the six-cylinder automatic to base models, and possibly, just possibly, the use of an automated manual (“dual clutch”) transmission, whose factory is now being built. Those items are all posited for the future, and only Chrysler currently knows when they will actually show up.
Other 2008 minivan facts: Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan
Larry Lyons, Vice President – Chrysler Group Front-wheel-drive Product Team, said, “With Swivel ’n Go, second- and third-row passengers can face each other to have a conversation, play games or have a meal on the go.”
Safety continues to be emphasized, with all-row supplemental side-curtain air bags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with traction control and brake assist, the industry-first integrated child booster seat, rear back-up camera, a rearview interior mirror, integrated child safety seat, and ParkSense® rear back-up system.
“The 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan offer the best amenities for today’s busy families,” said Murphy. “With a dual DVD system that plays different media at the same time, pinpoint LED lighting to read by, a table to play games or finish homework, a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic, power sliding doors and liftgate and YES Essentials® cloth seats, every member of the family will enjoy their journey.”
Storage space abounds, with a multi-function, front-row sliding console, dual glove boxes, second-row covered storage bins, third-row storage area, and clever storage bins and pockets.
 |
 |
Three seating configurations are available for 2008 in North America: a second-row bench seat with second-row covered storage bins and third-row fold-in-the-floor seating, a Stow ’n Go® seating and storage system with the only second- and third-row fold-in-the-floor seats in the industry, and the new Swivel ’n Go seating that allows the second row seats to swivel 180 degrees to face rearward. Swivel ’n Go also includes a removable table that fits between the second and third rows with a fold-in-the-floor third-row seat. A one-touch power-folding third-row seat also is available. (Third row seats stow into the floor regardless of the seat system; second row seats stow if you do not get the Swivel seats.)
Convenience features (some are optional) include a new, removable sliding front console that is large enough to store a purse; remote start; heated first- and second-row leather or cloth seats; interior conversation mirror; stain-resistant, odor-resistant, anti-static cloth fabric; a removable flashlight in the rear quarter panel; first- and second-row power windows; second- and third-row retractable sun shades; power sliding doors; power liftgate with power button on the key fob and rear-pillar, ambient halo lighting; movable, pinpoint Light Emitting Diode (LED) reading lamps; map lights; and a dual- or tri-zone heating and cooling system.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Entertainment features include an entertainment system that can play different DVDs at the same time, MyGIG™ CD/DVD/HDD/MP3/satellite radio with voice-activated capability, touch screen and real-time traffic and navigation, hands-free cellphone system, mesh side pockets on the second-row seats, 110V inverter, two second-row output/input jacks with a 12-volt power outlet and an overhead console with bins large enough to store headphones. New to the industry is streaming video, supplied by Sirius satellites. The heated wiper blades of years past have been replaced by a more powerful, more carefully directed defroster.
Minivan models
The five models are the Dodge Grand Caravan SE and SXT, and Chrysler Town & Country LX, Touring, and Limited. There are no tuning differences between the two brands; nearly all differences are visual. Three powertrains are available, starting with the 240 horsepower 4.0 liter V6 with six-speed automatic; 198 hp 3.8 liter V6 with six-speed automatic; and 170 hp 3.3 liter V6 with four-speed automatic replacing the 2.4 liter four-cylinder. The 3.3 is flexible-fuel certified, and can run 85% ethanol. The six-speed automatic has been retuned, with different shift points, for the minivan’s different weight and desired driving characteristics.
Buyers outside North America will be able to buy diesel-powered minivans, as in the past. See “Minivan Alternatives,” following, for possible future powertrain options.
For more photos and seat details, see our auto show coverage.
The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans will be built at Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and St. Louis South Assembly Plant in Fenton, Missouri.
Minivan alternatives
Kathy Graham is head of minivan publicity. Full of energy and coming from a family of motorcycle racers, she actually knew enough to provide our earlier reference to the 1967 Imperial Director’s Chair. At an event in New York’s Times Square, she answered our numerous questions about minivan alternatives. These questions arose largely from expressions of interest in Allpar’s forums, which admittedly do not tend to be a representative sample of customers.
- Six-speed automatic with 3.3 engine. This was discussed at Chrysler for a considerable period. The six speed is a good automatic, with a first gear that allows for quick takeoff; it would have been helpful for the 3.3 to have that low first gear and multitude of gear ratios when pushing the heavy minivan. Countering that was the value proposition - the six speed costs more to build, and Chrysler was already dropping the four cylinder and short wheelbase models. In addition, the four speed actually works better with the 3.3, according to Kathy, because of the shift points and ratios. It is being discussed for the future, but no decision has been made.
- Performance version. A performance minivan, such as an SRT version, would do much to dispel the notion that minivans are dull and only for soccer moms to shuffle kids in (as though something is wrong with that). Ralph Gilles races his own minivan, and says there is plenty of room inside for a Hemi. A performance van - either R/T or SRT - is apparently under constant review.
- Diesel. Americans are, according to market research, simply not ready for a diesel minivan; there are a small number of people very enthusiastic for one, though. Chrysler does make a diesel for Europe and will be making it in the United States or Canada - the Graz, Austria plant will no longer make minis. People appear to be more ready for diesels in SUVs. That said, a diesel minivan would boost either towing capacity or gas mileage, and the gas mileage increase would be very useful for people who do not get any benefit from hybrids.
- Stick-shift. (This is where one appreciate’s Kathy’s patience.) The market was far too small even when Chrysler did make a stick-shift minivan, a vehicle sought after today if also equipped with a turbocharger. She estimated about 900 sales per year, too few (in Allpar’s opinion) to justify stocking the parts in American dealers and going through EPA and crash tests. In addition, stick-shift vehicles tend to sit for much longer periods on dealer lots. This bodes ill for other vehicles to get manual transmissions.
- All wheel drive. Incompatible with Stow-n-Go; again, the take rate was very low, with fewer than 10% of buyers opting for the AWD. While very useful in some areas, AWD would have required (based on our conversations with others, not Kathy) substantial cost to engineer and produce two different floorpans.
- Short wheelbase. Only a small percentage of people bought short-wheelbase minivans because they wanted a smaller van; most were looking for reduced cost. Chrysler hopes to fill that desire with the 3.3 liter powered base model, which they believe has strong value.
Why a diesel? The 2.8 liter VM/Detroit Diesel engine with an automatic in 2007 UK Voyagers gets 33.6 mpg, combined cycle (28 USA mpg), while the 2.4 liter - even with a manual transmission - gets only 28.5 mpg (24 USA mpg), and has slightly lower performance. (Imperial gallons are bigger than US gallons.)
The Volkswagen version of the Chrysler minivan
A new Volkswagen minivan based on the Chrysler and Dodge minivan platform, which will be sold only in North America, will be produced beginning in 2008. Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda said, "With our manufacturing and platform engineering flexibility, we can deliver a high-quality product specifically tailored to Volkswagen's customers' tastes with little or no substitution effect on the current Chrysler and Dodge minivan lineup."
Marketing
In addition to the usual advertisements, Chrysler will be using comarketing with theme parks and other "get people into the van" methods rather than branding á la “Venture Warner Bros. Edition.” The key is to actually get people into the vehicles. Chrysler will go on tour with the minivans and will show up at auto shows.
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Specifications (also for Chrysler Town & Country)
The 4.0 liter engine was originally rated at 240 hp and 253 lb-ft. As of October 2007, the Dodge web site lifted the ratings. The 3.3 liter engine and 3.8 liter engines both fell in power; the 2.4 liter engine was dropped and the 4.0 added. EPA estimates are based on 2008 figures and are identical to 2007 gas-mileage estimates incorporating the EPA’s 2007-to-2008 correction factor. It is possible that engines were retuned so that peak power comes earlier and stays longer (a broader torque curve), at the cost of a small reduction in peak horsepower numbers.
| Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Speeds | 2005 power | 2007 power | EPA MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 liter | 251 hp (187 kW) | 259 lb.-ft. (351 N•m) | 6 speed | n/a | n/a | 16/23 |
| 3.8 liter | 197 hp (148 kW) | 230 lb.-ft. (312 N•m) | 6 speed | 215 hp / 245 lb-ft | 200 hp / 245 lb-ft | 16/23 |
| 3.3 liter | 175 hp (130 kW) | 205 lb.-ft. (278 N•m) | 4 speed | 180 hp / 210 lb-ft | 180 hp / 21 lb-ft | 17/24 |
| Specification | Inches (mm) |
Wheelbase |
121.2 (3078.2) |
Overhang — Front |
37.6 (955.4) |
Overhang — Rear |
43.7 (1108.9) |
Track — Front |
65.0 (1651.0) |
Track — Rear |
64.8 (1645.9) |
Overall Length |
202.5 (5142.5) |
Overall Width |
76.9 (1953.2) |
Overall Width with Mirrors |
88.5 (2246.8) |
Overall Height |
68.9 (1750.0) |
Liftover Height |
24.4 (619.9) |
Cargo Width at Wheelhouse |
49.03 (1245.5) |
Angle of Approach (Curb Load) |
14.3° |
Angle of Departure (Curb Load) |
18.7° |
Breakover Angle (Curb Load) |
14.5° |
Minimum Running Ground Clearance (Curb Load) |
6.1 (154.2) |
Fuel Tank Capacity, gal. (L) |
20.5 (77.6) |
EPA Total Interior Passenger Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m) |
163.5 (4.63)/156.1 (4.42) |
| Weight |
2008 Dodge and Chrysler minivans - Interior Dimensions
| Front |
|
Head Room |
39.8 (1010.9) |
Head Room with Sun Roof |
37.2 (946.0) |
Leg Room |
40.6 (1031.2) |
Shoulder Room |
63.0 (1600.2) |
Hip Room, SE / LX |
57.0 (1447.8), |
Hip Room, SXT, Touring, Limited |
57.6 (1463.0) |
Seat Travel |
8.7 (220) |
Front Passenger Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m) |
58.7 (1.7) |
|
Intermediate (Middle Row) |
|
Head Room, SE / LX |
39.2 (996.7), |
Head Room, SXT, Touring, Limited |
39.7 (1008.1) |
Leg Room |
36.3 (923.8) |
Knee Clearance, SE / LX |
3.5 (88.9), |
Knee Clearance, SXT / Touring, Limited |
3.6 (92.7) |
Shoulder Room |
64.7 (1643.4) |
Hip Room |
64.8 (1646.0) |
Seat Travel, Optional Swivel ’n Go™ Seats |
4.0 (100.6) |
Middle Row Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m), SE / LX |
53.4 (1.51), |
Middle Row Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m), SXT, Touring, Ltd |
54.0 (1.53) |
|
Rear Row |
|
Head Room |
37.9 (961.9) |
Leg Room, SE, LX |
37.6 (995.0), |
Leg Room, SXT, Touring, Limited |
31.8 (807.7) |
Knee Clearance |
4.4 (111.8)/6.2 (157.5) |
Shoulder Room |
62.0 (1574.8) |
Hip Room |
48.7 (1236.9) |
Rear Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m), SE, LX |
51.1 (1.4), |
Rear Volume, SXT, Touring, Limited |
43.2 (1.2) |
|
Cargo Volume |
|
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m), SE, LX |
144.4 (4.1), |
Cargo Volume, SXT, Touring, Limmited |
140.6 (4.0) |
Behind Second-row Seats, cu. ft. (cu. m) |
83.0 (2.4) |
Aft of Third-row Seat, cu. ft. (cu. m) |
32.7 (0.93) |
Passenger + Cargo Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m), SE, LX |
199.9 (5.7), |
Passenger + Cargo Volume, SXT, Touring, Limited |
192.5 (5.45) |
Maximum Cargo Height, SE, LX |
48.56 (1233.4) |
Maximum Cargo Height, SXT, Touring, Limited |
46.16 (1172.4) |
