What’s this, the Chrysler Town & Country? I thought you said it was the new Voyager?
It is. Europe’s Voyager is called the Chrysler Town & Country in the US, as well as its sister car, the Dodge Grand Caravan. The American duo were unveiled at the Detroit Show in the past few minutes: similar looks disguise an all-new model, with fresh engines and a raft of family-friendly features inside. Chrysler invented the MPV sector back in 1984 and claims it has come up with a heap of similarly revolutionary ideas to keep the big MPV at the top of its game.
Hmm, it hardly looks revolutionary. What’s new about the Voyager then?
True, those slab-sided looks aren’t going to win any prizes, but Chrysler has given a lot of thought to how people are actually going to use their people carriers. For instance, there’s a dual-DVD player, so the kids in the back can watch cartoons while older passengers can enjoy a classic flick. And there are one-touch fold-down seats – while the fold-flat Stow ‘n’ Go seating has evolved to include a rotating middle bench; it now revolves to face the third row, creating a very handy picnic or meeting area with a table in between. A hard drive lets families store their digital music, parking cameras are now available and voice activation controls many minor functions. The seats are even stain-proof to survive the rough and tumble of family life. Although we’re not sure that’ll be covered under the warranty…
Ok, so what about the mechanical spec?
The US models unveiled today have a choice of a 170bhp 3.3-litre V6, which can run on cleaner E85 bio-ethanol, or a brawnier 240bhp 4.0 V6. Safety is looked after by standard ESP and curtain airbags covering all three rows of seats in a smash; there are knee airbags, too. Sales of the new Voyager don’t start in Europe until 2008. It’s too early for pricing yet, but we reckon prices will start around £18,000.