HISTORY IN A BOX
Russell Purcell tells the story of the minivan that started it all in 1983
The Dodge Caravan is the minivan that started it all, but after over 30 years of production, the venerable sales leader is scheduled to retire after 2015, returning with a modern new look, new technology and new name.
When it comes to selling minivans, no one can compete with Chrysler’s Dodge division.
In fact, the Dodge Grand Caravan accounts for over 40 per cent of sales in this segment and has been the dominant player for over three decades.
The Grand Caravan’s success can be traced to a number of things, but first and foremost, it has to be value. The cost of entry has always been much lower than that of its many rivals, particularly the Japanese models.
The Dodge Grand Caravan offers plenty of room for both people and cargo, a wide array of family- friendly features, and very competitive pricing.
When it was introduced in 1983, the Dodge Caravan rolled out with a sibling, the Plymouth Voyager. This potent tag- team introduced consumers to the concept of a practical people hauler that would soon mark the demise of the station wagon.
Research conducted during the 10 years of development had indicated that to be successful, a minivan would have to have a large interior space with a sliding side door for loading passengers and cargo, the ability to seat three people across, and removable seats. It would also have to fit in a standard garage, feature a flat floor, and have room enough between the wheel wells to transport a sheet of plywood.
First- generation models were based on a modified platform derived from the K- Car program, and many of the interior components were also sourced from the compact sedans. This had the benefit of giving the vehicle a car- like interior that would widen the appeal for a vehicle of this type.
The 2.2- litre in- line fourcylinder was also sourced from the K- Car, and customers could order a five- speed manual or an optional threespeed automatic. No less than seven engine designs occupied the engine bay of first generation models, including three V6 models and a turbocharged four- cylinder.
The move to front- wheeldrive blessed both models with better traction and handling, but it also meant that the design team could lower the floor, which greatly improved ingress and egress. With seating for seven passengers, the Caravan and Voyager twins were perfectly suited for busy families, but for those needing a little more room for gear, a long- wheelbase Grand Caravan would arrive several years later. A more luxurious Chrysler Town & Country model would debut in 1990.
The sliding side door is one of the most significant innovations that came with the minivan, as it allowed easier access for passengers in a garage setting, where traditional swingout doors tend to get in the way.
Second- generation models emerged for 1991 and these more refined models brought consumers a whole host of new innovations. Quad Command bucket seating, integrated child safety seats, ABS brakes, and the first airbags to be offered in a minivan. Allwheeldrive also became a popular option during this period, and V6 engines brought more power to the game.
The third- generation Chrysler minivans hit the road in 1996, and with their arrival, access improved as a second sliding door was added to the design. No longer associated with the K- Car, the fleet of Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth vans were now built on a dedicated cabforward platform ( NS), and there were eight different powertrains available. Chrysler’s minivans racked up a lot of awards that year, including winning North American Car of the Year.
Advances in engineering and cabin design introduced a seat management system marketed as Easy Out Roller Seats, which greatly reduced the amount of time and effort required to remove or install the van’s rear seats when you needed to free up space for larger cargo.
In 2001, Chrysler unveiled the fourth- generation of its popular minivans. This series was built on the Chrysler RS platform, which accommodated a larger body frame, meaning there was more room inside. They also feature better aerodynamics, improved lighting, and power sliding doors and a power hatch were available for the first time. A more powerful 3.8- litre engine good for 215 horsepower and 245 foot- pounds of torque made this the most powerful offering to date.
When the fifth- generation model rolled into showrooms for 2008, gone was the short wheelbase variant, and consumers were impressed by how refined and feature laden the Grand Caravan had become. Sales surged as the van wars heated up and at times, the popular Chrysler offerings could claim as much as a 60 per cent share in the segment.
A new six- speed automatic transmission became standard to help with efficiency, and the shift lever was relocated from the column to the instrument panel. The evolution of the cabin layout continued with the introduction of the Swivel’n Go seat management system, while advanced technological goodies like the MyGIG entertainment system and a plethora of video screens arrive to help satiate the demands of road weary children. Side curtain airbags also became standard fare.
In short, there are few vehicles as family- friendly as a Dodge Grand Caravan as the vehicle offers plenty of passenger space, practical utility, and the latest in safety technology.
So with a history of dominance and sales of the current model still going strong, why would Chrysler be planning to bring an end to the now iconic Caravan’s run?
Well rumour has it that the company plans to replace it with a much more advanced and modern multi- passenger vehicle likely under the Chrysler Town & Country name.
This MPV would be better equipped to help Chrysler compete against the many new players in the minivan sector, and should arrive sometime in 2016.