Since their introduction, the Chrysler minivans have been the best-selling minivans in the United States.

Overview

Introduced in November 1983 for the 1984 model year, the first minivan of all time, the Dodge Caravan was based on the Chrysler S platform, an extended derivative of the Chrysler K platform. For the 1987 model year, a longer wheelbase was introduced, which was called the Grand Caravan. It was still based on the Chrysler S platform.

Since the beginning of production in the fall of 1983, over 11 million Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth minivans have been sold as of mid-2005.

Special anniversary editions of the Chrysler minivans have been issued to mark significant milestones; the first, in 1994, is notable for the "10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION" badges and special two-tone paint, and was offered on the Dodge SE models. The twentieth anniversary was marked in 2004 with the Anniversary Edition SXT Caravan.

Also, in 2004, Chrysler held a Stand By Your Van Contest, where contestants had to place one hand on the new van. The person whose hand was on the longest won a brand new Caravan, and be one of the first consumers to experience the new Stow 'n Go seating. The event was held during the Chicago Auto Show.

1984-1990

The first generation Caravans used the Chrysler S platform, which was closely related to the K-cars Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries. There were three trim levels on the first generation Caravan: base, mainstream SE and upscale LE. The Caravan was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1985. Both a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission and a five-speed manual were available with the four-cylinder engines, including the turbocharged 2.5 L (this was a rare combination). A cargo version of the Caravan, called the Mini Ram Van, was also introduced in 1984. It was renamed as the Caravan C/V for 1989, and was discontinued after 1995. 1989-1990 turbocharged models are highly sought after by collectors.

Engines

• 1984-1987 2.2 L K I4 99 hp
• 1984-1987 2.6 L Mitsubishi G54B I4
• 1987½-1989 2.5 L K I4, 96 hp (72 kW)
• 1987½-1989 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 136 hp (101 kW)
• 1989-1990 2.5 L K I4, 100 hp (75 kW)
• 1989-1990 2.5 L Turbo I4, 142 hp (106 kW)
• 1989-1990 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 141 hp (105 kW)
• 1990 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 142 hp (106 kW)
• 1990 3.3 L EGA V6, 150 hp (112 kW)

Trims

• 1984-1990 - base
• 1984-1990 - SE
• 1984-1990 - LE
• 1989-1990 - Turbo

1991-1995

Through 1991 through 1995, the Caravan used the Chrysler AS platform. These were the last minivans that were derived from the Chrysler K platform.

This generation of vans brought additional innovations, such as:

• "Quad Command" bucket seating (1991)
• Integrated child safety seats (1992), improved design with recliners (1994)
• Available anti-lock brakes (1991)
• First driver's side airbag in a minivan (1991), made standard (1992), and first dual front airbags (1994)
• First minivan to meet 1998 U.S. federal safety standards (1994)

Engines

• 1991–1995 3.3 L EGA V6, 150 hp (112 kW) 1991-1993, 162 hp (121 kW) 1994-1995
• 1991–1994 2.2 L K I4, 99 hp
• 1991–1995 2.5 L K I4, 100 hp (72 kW)
• 1991–1995 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 141 hp (105 kW)
• 1994–1995 3.8 L EGH V6, 162 hp (121 kW)

Trims

• 1991-1995 - Base
• 1991-1995 - SE
• 1991-1995 - LE
• 1993-1995 - Sport Wagon
• 1991-1995 - ES

Note: All-wheel drive was only available on loaded SE or higher models.

Differences between the Caravan and Voyager

The main ways that the Caravan can be distinguished from the Plymouth Voyager, other than badging, are the headlights and taillights. The headlights on the Voyager have chrome strips on the top and bottom - on the Caravan, the form factor of the lights is slightly higher, and the chrome strips are not present. On the Caravan, the taillights appear to have black stripes running horizontally, whereas on the Voyager, these are not present, but the tailights have textured grooves. Of course, because these parts are interchangable, and people often use whatever parts are most readily available, these are not a sure indicator as to what the vehicle was originally manufactured as.

1996-2000

The 1996 redesign used the Chrysler NS platform and included a driver's side sliding door, a first for Chrysler. All wheel drive was reintroduced in 1997. The Caravan was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1996. The Caravan was also on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997.

Base models of the Caravan were offered in most states with either a 2.4 L four-cylinder or the 3.0 L Mitsubishi V6 engine, except in several northeastern states, where the Mitsubishi V6 didn't meet emissions standards. In those locales, the 3.3 L engine was offered as the V6 option from 1997 through 2000. The manual transmission, never popular, was dropped. The 2.4 L four-cylinder engine produced more power than the Mitsubishi 3.0 had in the first two generations.

Engines

• 1996-2000 2.4 L EDZ I4, 150 hp (112 kW) and 167 ft·lbf (226 N·m) (Canadian vans beginning in 1999 included a 3.0 V6 as standard equipment)
• 1996-2000 3.3 L EGA V6, 158 hp (118 kW) and 203 ft·lbf (275 N·m)
• 1996-2000 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6 (not available in certain states)
• 1996-1998 3.8 L EGH V6, 166 hp (124 kW)
• 1999-2000 3.8 L EGH V6, 180 hp (134 kW)

Trims

• 1996-2000 - Base
• 1996-2000 - SE
• 1996-2000 - Sport
• 1996-2000 - LE
• 1996-2000 - ES

Note: All-wheel drive was only available on loaded SE or higher models

Concepts

Other plans for this model year included three minivan concepts all to be made in the Windsor Assembly, the Dodge Caravan R/T, Voyager XG, and the Chrysler Pacifica. The Caravan R/T was to include the most powerful engine ever for a minivan, rated at 225 hp. It had two Dodge Viper hoodscoops, a brushed aluminum instrument panel, racing-style pedals, and black and white rubber flooring.^{citation needed]} The Voyager XG was more rugged, and included many outdoor amenities, such as a built-in ice pack.^{citation needed]} The Chrysler Pacifica was more luxurious, had power leather seats and footrests, overhead bins and lighting, an LHS grille, and roof-long skylights. The skylight feature was used by Nissan in the Quest. The Pacifica actually did come to be in 2003, based on the current Caravan, except that it became a crossover SUV rather than a minivan.

2001-2007

The current generation minivans use the Chrysler RS platform. Foldable Stow 'n Go second and third-row seats, available only on the Grand Caravan, were introduced for 2005. The 2001 model year vans only slightly differed from the previous generation, except for the interior, it had a larger body frame, wider headlights, flipped taillights, and a few minor mechanical adjustments.

The new minivan was much larger than before, with more cargo space, and is probably larger than the current Dodge Durango^{citation needed]}.

In 2004, the 2005 minivan lineup had changes to the Caravan, including a revised grille, new foglight fascia, new back seats, and other minor interior touches. The information center was moved from behind the gauges to the overhead console, in addition to Stow 'n Go seating. However, in order to accomdate the Stow 'n Go seating, the all-wheel drive system was dropped.

The Mitsubishi 3.0 L V6, which no longer met emissions standards in California and the northeastern U.S, was dropped from the engine lineup for 2001. A 3.5 L V6 was also planned for a mid-year introduction for 2001, but this never came to fruition.

The Caravan C/V also returned to the lineup for 2003 after being discontinued in 1995. The C/V features deleted side windows and rear seats (optional) among other features.

Engines

• 2001-present 3.3 L EGA V6, 180 hp (134 kW) at 5000 rpm and 210 ft·lbf (285 N·m) at 4000 rpm
• 2001-present 3.8 L EGH V6, 215 hp (160 kW) at 5000 rpm and 245 ft·lbf (332 N·m) at 4000 rpm
• 2001-present 2.4 L EDZ I4, 150 hp (112 kW) at 5400 rpm and 165 ft·lbf (224 N·m) at 4000 rpm (Caravan SE only)

Note: In most parts of Canada, the 3.3 L V6 is standard on all models.

Trims

• 2001-present - base (also referred to as SE)
• 2001-present - Sport
• 2004-present - SXT
• 2001-2003 - ES
• 2002-2003 - eX

2008

The minivans are expected to be redesigned in 2007 as 2008 models by Ralph Gilles, who also worked on the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. A six-speed automatic transmission and a new 4.0 L V6 engine are all but certain to appear, while a diaper changing station is rumored. Also, there may be rear windows that roll down, or a Hemi engine. Chrysler has finalized a deal through which Volkswagen will receive a variant of the Chrysler RT platform van with its own styling and features. It is expected to be produced at Saint Louis Assembly alongside the Dodge and Chrysler vans. Volkswagen says it is not the same as the Chrysler minivans, but still uses the Caravan/Town & Country platform. The plans are to keep the Stow 'n Go seating, maybe even for the front passenger seat, but that is still being decided.^{citation needed]}

By the look of the front grille and headlights, a bit of family resemblance to the Charger and Magnum is seen. The rear of the new van is squared off, unlike the past two generations, and is quite like the Nissan Quest. As seen from spy photos, the headlights seem to resemble the Magnum's, and the taillights are slender horizontal triangles. The interior has a long dashboard panel, which has an analog clock in the middle surrounded by two air vents, similar to that on the 300.

Minivan production

The long-wheelbase Dodge Grand Caravan with Stow 'n Go seats are built in Windsor, Ontario, Canada at Windsor Assembly (WAP Plant 3) by members of Canadian Auto Workers Local 444. The short wheelbase Dodge Caravan is produced in Fenton, Missouri at Saint Louis Assembly by members of the United Auto Workers Local 110.

External links

• Official Dodge Caravan Website
• YahooAutos-2006 Dodge Caravan SWB
• AutomobileMagazine-2005 Dodge Caravan (review)
• Allpar minivan section: creation, each generation, tech, rumors

References

• Generations: Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth Minivans. Edmunds.com. Retrieved on January 3, 2006.