Autoblog: The US Minivan's last stand - Chrysler to debut 2008 Minvans at Detroit

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The US Minivan's last stand - Chrysler to debut 2008 Minvans at Detroit

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Minivans/MPVs, DaimlerChrysler

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/2008_chrysler_van.jpgFord and General Motors have lost their taste for the minivan wars, leaving the Chrysler Group to stand alone as the sole domestic player in the minivan arena. It's just as well -- DCX always had the best American vans, anyway. Having invented the segment, Chrysler has hunkered down and pushed their minivan to be a contender once again. The Caravan and Town & Country will sport new styling, squaring up the edges of the current look, and front-end appearances will offer more distinction between the Dodge and Chrysler brands. Underhood, four-cylinders are banished, and there's a new high-end 4.0 liter V6 hooked up to a six-speed transaxle. The squarer profile will offer more interior room, and there's been talk of DCX ditching the short-wheelbase vans altogether. Speaking of the interior, of course the Stow 'n Go seats will show up, but there are also some slick surprises inside the new vans.

 

Continued after the jump

 

[source: Allpar.com]Continue reading The US Minivan's last stand - Chrysler to debut 2008 Minvans at Detroit

 

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[wukindada]

Offer a "performance" model........Give the 4.0 a supercharger or a turbo.

 

Minivans a currently not "Fun" to drive.....that is why most familys go with the SUV over the Mini. I'm not saying a SUV is a hoot to drive but in general they look better & offer much better acceleration.

 

I would love to see Acura offer a version of the Odyssey with a massaged RL powertrain, say 325-335hp:wub:

[Garandman]

//Minivans a currently not "Fun" to drive.....that is why most familys go with the SUV over the Mini. I'm not saying a SUV is a hoot to drive but in general they look better & offer much better acceleration.

///

What current model minivans have you driven? Compared to what SUV's?

[wukindada]

Wife had a 01 odyssey

 

Just drove a 06 "touring" Odyssey, the same weekend we took home a 06 Trailblazer SS for a extended test drive.

 

Have also drivi'n the 06 Sienna, IMO not nearly as good of a "drivers" van as the Honda.

[Guest]

I want new Mazda MPV... turbo minivan ftw....

[wukindada]

PRob true..but NYC cabdrivers have put over 230,000 miles on Siennas over 3 years with no maintenance issues doing double back to back shifts!

 

I just had a driver the other day tell me this when I rode in one.

 

Pretty amazing, when you think about the punishment NYC cabs take.

 

 

Not doubting there reliability...I know thats impressive but nothing makes you "want" to drive them:(