The minivan conquered suburbs, then lost out to SUVs. A look back

Chrysler invented the minivan more than 30 years ago. Owners of the Pacifica hybrid can recharge the battery of their minivan in just 2 hours with a 240-volt plug-in system.

“The mental image that comes to mind when everyone hears “minivan” is something that we wanted to redefine”, Velisek told 7 Action News anchor Stephen Clark during a live webcast from the auto show. For decades, the Chrysler Town & Country was the ultimate family hauler with more cup holders (and juice box holders) than kids on a starting soccer team. The irony of Chrysler’s reviving of the Pacifica nameplate is not lost on us: that badge was last used on Chrysler’s first crack at the mid-size, three-row crossover segment, which has been largely responsible for eroding the minivan’s popularity among family drivers.

Inside the minivan, the interiors also come with a sculpted and muscular design. While competitors including Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan and Toyota aggressively developed and launched a hybrid and electric cars, Fiat Chrysler held back.

Launching in second half of 2016, the Pacifica Hybrid is the industry’s first electrified minivan.

The new minivan is designed as a replacement for the Chrysler Town & Country as well as Dodge Grand Caravan minivans, which have seen falling sales.

It’s called the Chrysler Pacifica, and if you think the name is familiar, you’re right. The model rides on an all-new platform which is probably why FCA made a decision to ditch the “Town & Country” moniker in favor of “Pacifica”. With its long wheelbase, wide track, low ground clearance and available 20-inch wheels, the Chrysler Pacifica appears planted, with a capable stance. It looks more luxurious, with bright chrome strips outlining the windows and LED-accented headlights and taillights.

A Chrysler-badged large crossover and hybrid based on the minivan architecture was still a possibility, but it hasn’t received final approval, said Marchionne.

The standard Pacifica packs a 3.6L V-6 producing 287 hp and 262 lb.-ft. Thanks to competent weight management, the new minivan is 300 lbs lighter than its predecessor.

The minivan also features redesigned Stow ‘n Go seating, with Stow ‘n Go Assist and Easy Tilt access to the third row. The vehicle also can automatically perform parallel and perpendicular parking, and the rear-seat entertainment system has two 10-inch touchscreens that let passengers play games, watch movies or surf the Internet.

New is a proprietary electrically variable transmission (EVT) using two electric motors which can both drive the front wheels. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Marchionne said he will meet with representatives from the Ontario and federal governments on Tuesday and will tell them “they should be proud of what we’ve been able to do in Windsor”.

“Sure, it is absolutely risky to change the name, but that’s how confident we are”, said Tim Kuniskis, head of Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat.

Kelley Blue Book analyst Mark Williams says minivans face an uphill battle. Small vans make up only about 3 percent of that market, according to Ward’s AutoInfoBank.

Advertisement

Still, Williams said he thinks the Pacifica is a minivan the owner can be proud to drive.