Dodge Caravan
|
|
| Dodge Caravan | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Chrysler, DaimlerChrysler |
| Class: | Minivan |
| Drivetrain: | FF, 4WD |
| Production: | 1984 — |
| First Generation | |
| Production: | 1984 — 1990 |
| Body Styles: | 3-door minivan |
| Platform: | Chrysler S platform |
| Engines: | K-family I4, 96 hp Mitsubishi 6G72 V6 Chrysler V6, 141 hp |
| Similar: | Plymouth Voyager Chrysler Town and Country |
| Second Generation | |
| Missing image 1994_Chrysler_Town_and_Country.jpg Second-generation (AS platform) Chrysler Town & Country | |
| Production: | 1991 — 1995 |
| Body Styles: | 3-door minivan |
| Platform: | Chrysler AS platform |
| Engines: | K-family I4, 96 hp Mitsubishi 6G72 V6 Chrysler V6, 141 hp |
| Similar: | Plymouth Voyager Chrysler Town and Country |
| Third Generation | |
| |
| Production: | 1996 — 2000 |
| Body Styles: | minivan |
| Platform: | Chrysler NS platform |
| Engines: | Neon I4 Chrysler [[V6] |
| Similar: | Plymouth Voyager Chrysler Voyager Chrysler Town and Country |
| Fourth Generation | |
| Production: | 2001 — |
| Body Styles: | 4-door minivan |
| Platform: | Chrysler RS platform |
| Engines: | Chrysler V6 Neon I4 |
| Similar: | Chrysler Voyager Chrysler Town and Country |
| This article is part of the Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge automobile series. | |
The Dodge Caravan (also Dodge Grand Caravan) is a minivan marketed by the Chrysler Corporation. It was introduced in 1984 with its twin models, the Plymouth Voyager (nee Chrysler Voyager) and the Chrysler Town and Country (which was introduced in 1990). It was the first modern minivan, and is credited with creating the entire market segment for these vehicles.
For the 1987 model year, a longer wheelbase was introduced called the Grand Caravan/Grand Voyager. It was still based on the Chrysler S platform.
In the 1970s, before the debut of the 1984 Plymouth Voyager, there was a full-size passenger van by the same name based on the Dodge Sportsman van—this was a bit of badge engineering to help Plymouth dealers improve their sales. It could hold as many as 12 passengers (15 in the stretched version) and was Plymouth's first truck-bodied vehicle in many decades. Likewise, before the introduction of the 1990 Chrysler Town & Country, the name had been used on station wagons since the 1940s.
For Europe, the vehicle has been known as the Chrysler Voyager/Grand Voyager and Chrysler Caravan. It was produced at Chrysler's Eurostar plant, which was transferred, along with Voyager production, to Magna Steyr.
| Contents |
1984
First minivans used the Chrysler S platform. The Caravan and Voyager were on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1985.
Engines:
- 1988 2.5 L K-family I4, 96 hp (72 kW)
- 1988 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 136 hp (101 kW)
- 1989–1990 2.5 L K-family I4, 100 hp (75 kW)
- 1989–1991 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 141 hp (105 kW)
- 1989 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 141 hp (105 kW)
- 1990–1991 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 142 hp (106 kW)
- 1990–1991 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 150 hp (112 kW)
1991
1991 minivans used the Chrysler AS platform.
Engines:
- 1991–1993 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 150 hp (112 kW)
- 1991–1995 2.5 L K-family I4, 96 hp (72 kW)
- 1991–1995 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 141 hp (105 kW)
- 1994–1995 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 162 hp (121 kW)
1996
The 1996 redesign uses the Chrysler NS platform and includes a driver's-side sliding door, a first. All wheel drive was reintroduced in 1997. The Caravan was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1996. The Caravan, Town and Country, and Voyager were also on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997.
Engines:
- 1996–1999 2.4 L Neon I4, 150 hp (112 kW) and 167 ft·lbf (226 N·m)
- 1996–2000 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 158 hp (118 kW) and 203 ft·lbf (275 N·m)
- 1997–2000 3.0 L V6
- 1997–1998 3.8 L Chrysler V6, 166 hp (124 kW)
- 1999–2000 3.8 L Chrysler V6, 180 hp (134 kW)
In 1999, Plymouth's demise was announced, resulting in the 2000 models in the US of the Voyager/Grand Voyager doing double duty as both Plymouths and Chryslers.
2001
2001 minivans used the Chrysler RS platform. The US Plymouth Voyager was dropped, leaving behind the Chrysler Voyager, since 2001 was Plymouth's last model year. Chrysler Voyager saw its last year in the US in 2003, replaced by a shorter wheelbase version of the Town & Country in 2004. Foldable Stow 'n Go second- and third-row seats are a first for 2005 along with other updates.
Engines:
- 2001 3.4 L V6, 180 hp (134 kW)
- 2001-2005 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 180 hp (134 kW) at 5000 rpm and 210 ft·lbf (285 N·m) at 4000 rpm
- 2001-2005 3.8 L Chrysler V6, 215 hp (160 kW) at 5000 rpm and 245 ft·lbf (332 N·m) at 4000 rpm
- 2002-2005 2.4 L Neon I4, 150 hp (112 kW) at 5400 rpm and 165 ft·lbf (224 N·m) at 4000 rpm
2008
The minivans will be redesigned for Model Year 2007 or 2008 by Ralph Gilles, who also worked on the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum.
External link
- Caravan Enthusiast Site (http://www.MyDodgeCaravan.com)