Chrysler Town & Country (minivan)
The Chrysler Town & Country is a minivan manufactured and marketed by Chrysler starting from the 1990 until the 2016 model year. It was the third Chrysler minivan model introduced in North America. The Town & Country adopted its nameplate from the flagship Chrysler station wagon line, adopting its exterior woodgrain trim as a design feature for several generations.
The Chrysler Town & Country minivan was introduced as a minivan in the spring of 1989 as an early 1990 model. Initially slated for a 1989 model-year release, the nameplate had been placed on hiatus for the first time since 1945 as Chrysler discontinued station wagon production after the 1988 model year. Having sold the line as one of its flagship vehicles (similar to the New Yorker and Imperial until the end of the 1970s), Chrysler sought to continue the name for a minivan (as the vehicles replaced full-size station wagons across multiple premium brands). Though its 1980s namesake was a station wagon counterpart of the Chrysler LeBaron sedan, a Town & Country minivan was benchmarked as the equivalent of the largest Chrysler sedans, including the 1989-1990 New Yorker Landau and Fifth Avenue. The 1990 Chrysler Town & Country used the Chrysler S platform, sharing its bodyshell with the Dodge Grand Caravan and Plymouth Grand Voyager. Alongside its role of securing higher-profit sales, another objective behind the development of the model line (introduced roughly 18 months before the release of its successor) was to repurpose pre-manufactured long-wheelbase bodies already slated to be sold by Dodge and Plymouth.[citation needed] To minimize potential tooling costs for developing a distinct model, the Town & Country was distinguished from its counterparts with relatively few changes.
Engines
When launched, the Town & Country was originally fitted with the Mitsubishi-produced 6G72 3.0 L V6, producing 142 hp (106 kW; 144 PS); these vehicles were certified as 1989 vehicles by the Environmental Protection Agency. For 1990 production, the Chrysler-produced 3.3 L V6 replaced it, increasing output by 8 hp (6 kW; 8 PS); this engine was shared with the Dodge Dynasty, Chrysler New Yorker, and Chrysler Imperial. Both engines were paired solely with a 4-speed "Ultradrive" automatic transmission.
Introduced in November 1990, the second-generation Town & Country minivan adopted the Chrysler AS platform, using the 119-inch wheelbase of the Grand Caravan/Grand Voyager. Sharing only the front doors and side door with its 1990 predecessor, the chassis underwent extensive upgrades. As with the previous generation, the Town & Country was structurally unrelated with the Chrysler K-Cars (discontinued for 1991), but shared powertrain commonality with its AC/AY-platform derivatives (Chrysler New Yorker/Fifth Avenue/Imperial and Dodge Dynasty). In contrast to the Caravan and Voyager, the Town & Country was sold in a single trim level with few distinct options; no short-wheelbase version was offered. In addition to its waterfall grille and crystal Pentastar (similar to the New Yorker), the Town & Country shared its headlights and taillight clusters with the Voyager. In line with the previous generation, the exterior was styled with monochrome paint (including matching side mirrors and body cladding) and model-specific alloy wheels. Moving beyond the limited-production status of previous generation, Chrysler offered a variety of exterior of colors, keeping the woodgrain trim standard.
Introduced at the beginning of 1995, the third-generation Town & Country debuted the all-new Chrysler NS platform, marking the most extensive redesign of the Chrysler minivans since their 1984 release. Adopting cab-forward design to a minivan format, Chrysler sought a design that maximized interior space and visibility. Alongside its Dodge and Plymouth counterparts, the 1996 Town & Country introduced several features to the segment, including a driver-side sliding door, and rear seats mounted on deployable wheels (Easy Out Roller Seats). In a break from tradition, the 1996 Town & Country was no longer offered with simulated woodgrain exterior trim (offered either as an option or as standard since 1965). The hood ornament was deleted; in place of the crystal Pentastar, the model line debuted a grille-mounted Chrysler "blue ribbon" emblem (revived from the mid-1930s). Sharing its bodyshell with the Caravan and Voyager, the Town & Country was styled with a largely monochrome appearance, with chrome limited to body moldings, wheels, and the grille (the only Chrysler NS minivan with a chrome grille). To match the Town & Country against smaller competitors, Chrysler introduced a version of the model line using the standard 113-inch wheelbase (non-"Grand") body. In a major change, the rear liftgate was fitted with an external release handle (unlatched separately from being unlocked).
Trim
For the third generation of the model line, Chrysler expanded the Town & Country several distinct trim levels. To allow Chrysler to compete against smaller minivans (including the Oldsmobile Silhouette and Mercury Villager), the company introduced a shorter-length version (adopting the body of the Caravan/Voyager, not the Grand Caravan/Grand Voyager). For 1996, the previous-generation Town & Country was designated as the LXi trim, again featuring leather and wood interior trim, 8-way adjustable front seats. A base-trim long-wheelbase was introduced; largely replacing the Plymouth Grand Voyager LE, the model was fitted with cloth trim and standard bench seats (allowing for integrated child safety seats as an option). The short-wheelbase LX trim replaced the Plymouth Voyager LX, featuring the same feature content as the base-trim model.
Engines
Engines included a 3.3 L gasoline-powered engine (8th VIN digit R), a 3.3 L flexible-fuel 3.3 L engine (8th VIN digit G), and a 3.8 L engine (8th VIN digit L). In Canada, Town & Country models came standard with the 3.8 L V6 and were offered only in long-wheelbase (LWB) versions.
The fourth-generation Town & Country went on sale in January 2000 as a 2001 model. It was redesigned using the Chrysler RS platform and initially available only in long-wheelbase (LWB) form. Chrysler's short-wheelbase minivan was marketed using the Voyager nameplate, which had been transferred to the Chrysler line in mid-2000 when the Plymouth brand was discontinued. After 2003, the Voyager nameplate was dropped and the short-wheelbase (SWB) versions were once again part of the Town & Country lineup. Trim levels for 2001 were carried over from the previous generation. They included the entry-level LX, mid-level LXi, and the range-topping Limited. By 2002, extra feature packed eL and eX models were added. These were value-priced versions of the LX and LXi, respectively, that included the most popular option packages. The 2004 model year included a new unnamed base short-wheelbase model. The LX, LXi, and Limited were the Canadian trim levels, but only the LXi and Limited were sold to retail consumers. The lowest level LX was restricted to fleet sales.[citation needed]
Engines
Some Town & Country models with the 3.33 L V6 from 1998 until 2003, and all models with the 3.33 L V6 from 2004 through 2007 can use E85 fuel.
Safety
The fourth-generation Town & Country (Grand Voyager, as it is known in Europe) right hand drive (RHD) version performed very poorly in the Euro NCAP car safety tests, and achieved the following ratings: In the tests, the LHD car performed significantly better than the RHD car in the frontal impact, scoring 9 points, giving a potential four star adult occupant rating." Thatcham's New Car Whiplash Ratings (NCWR) organization tested the fourth-generation European Grand Voyager for its ability to protect occupants against whiplash injuries, with the car achieving an "Acceptable" rating overall.
Security
The Grand Voyager was tested by Thatcham's New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) organization and achieved the following ratings:
For 2015, the LX model was reintroduced, now nearly identical to the Touring except for the lack of front fog lights and EVIC. Also introduced was a new Premium trim level for the Canadian market, including Alcantara and Nappa leather faced seats, heated front and 2nd-row seats, and a heated steering wheel as standard equipment. The Limited was succeeded as the highest level trim by the Limited Platinum, which is near identical to the previous Limited save for a few changes. The Limited still continued production, although with a few standard features removed or made optional (such as HID headlamps) due to the Limited Platinum. The 2015 Chrysler Town & Country was built at FCA Canada Inc's Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. All 2016 models were a carryover from the 2015 model year. Projector headlamps are now standard across all trim levels in the US except for fleet vehicles; halogen projector headlamps replaced the reflector headlamps used in previous model years, HID headlamps are optional on Touring-L and Limited, and are standard on Limited Platinum. The reflector headlamps are retained on the Dodge Caravan. This was the last year for the Chrysler Town & Country.
2008 model year
The fifth-generation Town & Country went on sale on August 16, 2007, as a 2008 model. The short-wheelbase model was discontinued. The minivans featured styling by Ralph Gilles, a six-speed automatic, a new 4.0 L V6 engine as standard on the Limited model, and a system of second row seats that swiveled to face the third row, marketed as Swivel 'n Go seating. A small table, which stored in the bins below the floor, could be positioned between the two rear rows when they were facing each other. Much like its competitors, the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey, the Town & Country now featured power windows on the sliding doors and moved the gear shift from the steering column to the center console, in a higher position. Another new feature of this generation was an available rear overhead console which featured LED map lights as well as halo ambient lighting. A new DVD system was also available, which featured dual screens for the rear passengers. Sirius Backseat TV was also offered, which featured three channels of children's programming (Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network).
Trim levels
The Town & Country was offered in many distinct trim levels: The LX, from 2008 to 2010, served as the "base" Town & Country trim level. Standard features included a 3.3 L V6 engine, a 4-speed automatic transmission, an AM/FM stereo with CD player and a 4-speaker sound system, 16-inch black-painted steel wheels with plastic wheel covers, stain-repellent cloth seating surfaces, keyless entry, wood interior trim accents, carpeted floor mats, and Chrysler's Stow 'n Go fold-in-floor seating system. The trim level, which was discontinued after 2010, was reintroduced for 2015, once again as the "base" Town & Country trim level. For 2015, it included a 3.6 L "Pentastar" VVT V6 engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission, seventeen-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed seating surfaces, a touch-screen sound system, a 6-speaker sound system, power-sliding rear doors and a power tailgate, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, and a security system.
2011 model year
The Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country received mid-cycle refreshes for the 2011 model year. Changes included restyled exterior and interior with a new wing logo, standard SafetyTec (including Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection), improvement to the Stow 'n Go seating and storage system, a one-touch fold down feature for easier access to the third row, a new "super" center console and technology, a dual DVD system that can play different media at the same time, Sirius Backseat TV (featuring three channels of children's programming), FLO TV (featuring 20 channels of live programming), Pentastar V6 283 hp (211 kW; 287 PS) engine replacing previous 3.8 L and 3.3 L V6 engines, six-speed automatic transmission, a new fuel economizer mode, a new instrument panel and instrument cluster, new Chrysler brand steering wheel with integrated controls that allow the driver to operate the radio, cruise control, hands-free phone and other vehicle functions while keeping their hands on the wheel; upgraded cloth and leather seating materials; new "soft-touch" door trim, new heating and cooling control system. Other changes included retuned suspension with a larger front sway bar and new rear sway bar, increased rear roll center height, new spring rates, new steering gear, new front static camber setting, and lowered ride height; extra sound insulation, acoustic glass, new LED ambient lighting and center console, and new fog lights.
2012 changes
For 2012, leather seating and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system were made standard on all Town & Country trim levels. Cloth seating remained optional on the Touring trim in Canada, and standard on the Touring trim in Mexico. In Mexico, the "L" suffix on the Touring-L trim stood for leather. All interior lights[vague] were changed to blue, replacing the previous green lights. The Lancia Voyager is a version of Chrysler Town & Country for the European market as a replacement for the Lancia Phedra. Changes include the removal of chrome bodyside molding. The vehicle went on sale in October 2011 across Europe. The early Italian model includes a gold trim level, a choice of two engines - 283 hp (211 kW; 287 PS) 3.6 L Pentastar petrol or 163 hp (122 kW; 165 PS) 2.8 L diesel - six-speed automatic transmission, a choice of four body colors (Brilliant Black, Carbon Grey, Silver and Stone White), a choice of two interior colors (Black/Grey and Beige), ParkSense assisted parking system with the optional ParkView rear view camera integration, 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, black roof racks, seats upholstered in high-quality leather, audio controls on the steering wheel and gear lever knob, also leather-covered, ESP, six airbags, cruise control, fog lights, automatic headlights, active pedestrian protection, automatic three-zone climate control, six-speaker radio with CD player, UConnect hands-free system with iPod/MP3 support, heated door mirrors, side doors and tailgate with electric control.
2013 model year
Changes for the 2013 model year included an optional rear-seat, dual-screen Blu-ray/DVD system, sharper-resolution rear-seat DVD screens for all models, an HDMI input for video game systems, two rear-seat USB ports for charging cellphones or MP3 players, standard Trailer Sway Damping, standard power-folding mirrors on Limited and optional on Touring L models, new standard leather seating surfaces on Touring models, and a new 17-inch alloy wheel design for Touring L models. Early US models include the Chrysler Town & Country Touring, Town & Country Touring L and Town & Country Limited. The Town & Country S was unveiled during the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show. The model came equipped with a black chrome grille, a black rear fascia step pad, "S" model badging, 17-inch aluminum wheels with polished face, black-painted pockets, and blacked-out headlight bezels (delayed availability), Black Torino leather seats with an "S" logo embroidered in the seat backs and black Ballistic cloth seat inserts, grey stitching at seats and door armrests, Piano Black gloss appliques at the instrument panel and on the spokes of the black leather-wrapped steering wheel, Chrysler Winged badge on the wheel (matching the black coloring of the exterior badging), a black headliner and upper consoles, black center console and an "S" logo in the instrument cluster, dual-screen Blu-ray/DVD system (with HDMI input, two USB recharging ports, a 12 V outlet and a 115 V two-prong outlet), a performance suspension, and a choice of four body colors (Brilliant Black, Deep Cherry Red, Stone White or Billet Silver).
2014 model year
Daytime running lamps are now a standard feature on US models. Previously, they were only standard on Canadian and European models; US models required dealer activation. The "30th Anniversary Edition" was a modified version of the Touring-L trim, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Town & Country. This trim level came equipped with 17-inch aluminum wheels with polished faces and painted satin carbon pockets, '30th Anniversary' badging, Black Alcantara seat inserts with Nappa seat bolsters, Piano Black steering wheel bezels and instrument panel trim, third-row power folding seats, touchscreen radio with 30th Anniversary splash screen, 30th Anniversary logo on the key fob, rear back up camera, a choice of eight body colors (exclusive Granite Crystal Pearl Coat, Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Cashmere Pearl Coat, Deep Cherry Red Pearl Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, True Blue Pearl Coat, Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat).
1990–1995 models came in a single unnamed trim level, from here on referred to as "base."
Current
(these current trim levels exclude Pacifica)
Chrysler has regularly innovated new seating systems for their minivans, to enhance interior flexibility.
Quad command
Introduced in 1990 for the 1991 model year, Chrysler marketed second-row "captains chairs" as a substitute to the "partial bench" second-row seat.
Integrated child safety seats
In 1991, a second-row bench seat integrating two child booster seats was introduced. These seats have continued as an available option through Generation 5.
Easy-Out Roller Seats
In 1995, Chrysler introduced a system of seats to simplify installation, removal, and re-positioning, marketed as Easy-Out Roller Seats. When installed, the seats are latched to floor-mounted strikers. When unlatched, eight rollers lift each seat, allowing it to be rolled fore and aft. Tracks have locator depressions for rollers, thus enabling simple installation. Ergonomic levers at the seatbacks release the floor latches single-handedly without tools and raise the seats onto the rollers in a single motion. Additionally, seatbacks were designed to fold forward. Seat roller tracks are permanently attached to the floor and seat stanchions are aligned, facilitating the longitudinal rolling of the seats. Bench seat stanchions were moved inboard to reduce bending stress in the seat frames, allowing them to be lighter.
Stow 'n Go seating
In 2005, Chrysler introduced a system of second- and third-row seating that folded completely into under-floor compartments, marketed as Stow 'n Go seating and exclusively available on long-wheelbase models. In a development program costing $400 million, engineers used an erector set to initially help visualize the complex interaction of the design and redesigned underfloor components to accommodate the system, including the spare tire well, fuel tank, exhaust system, parking brake cables, rear climate control lines, and the rear suspension. However, the new seating system prevented incorporation of an AWD system, effectively ending that option for the Chrysler minivans. The system in turn creates a combined volume of 12 cubic feet (340 L) of under floor storage when second row seats are deployed. With both rows folded, the vans have a flat load floor and a maximum cargo volume of 160.7 cubic feet (4,550 L).
Swivel 'n Go
Chrysler introduced a seating system in 2008, marketed as Swivel 'n Go. The two second-row seats swivel to face the third row. A detachable table can be placed between the second and third-row seats. Swivel 'n Go was available with Stow 'n Go seating for 2008 and onward models. The Swivel 'n Go system was offered on the Dodge Caravan, but not the Volkswagen Routan, a rebadged nameplate variant of the Chrysler minivans. The Swivel 'n Go Seats were manufactured by Intier, a division of Magna. The tracks, risers, and swivel mechanisms are assembled by Camslide, a division of Intier. The swivel mechanism was designed and produced by Toyo Seat USA Corp.
The Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans with Stow 'n Go and Swivel 'n Go seats were built in Windsor, Ontario. Two plants had the task of building the Town & Country, with Saint Louis Assembly assembling it from 1989 until 2001, and Windsor from 2001 onwards. In May 2006, Windsor Assembly became the lead producer of the RT, but would not fully take over until 2009 after phasing out production of the Pacifica (CS). The Saint Louis Assembly plant was closed in October 2008, making Windsor the sole producer of the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan. Taiwanese-market Town & Country minivans were assembled in Yangmei under license by the China Motor Corporation, starting with the 2006 model year. They are based on the European-market Chrysler Grand Voyager with the 3.3 L engine, with minor changes for the local market including LED taillights and backup cameras. Production ended in 2007, and the production line was relocated to China, where Soueast continued to assemble it under the Chrysler Grand Voyager and Dodge Grand Caravan nameplates from 2008 until late 2010.
In September 2008, Chrysler unveiled a plug-in hybrid version of the Town & Country, along with a similarly engineered 4-door Jeep Wrangler and a purely electric sports car. The Town & Country prototype had an all-electric range of 40-mile (64 km) before gasoline starts. However, in November 2009, Fiat SpA disbanded Chrysler's ENVI electric car division and dropped these models from future product plans. A two-year demonstration program with 25 flexible-fuel plug-in minivans began in April 2012. The first Town and Country models were delivered in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Charlotte, North Carolina. The US$26-million demonstration project is partially financed by a US$10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The plug-in hybrid minivans are equipped with an E85-compatible 3.6 L Pentastar engine mated to a front-wheel-drive, with two-mode hybrid transmission. The plug-in hybrid is powered by a liquid-cooled 12.1 KWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a total output of 290 horsepower. The total vehicle range is 700 mi (1,100 km).
