The NS-platform Chrysler minivans are a series of passenger minivans marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from model years 1996 to 2000, the third in six generations of Chrysler minivans, and the first to be new from the ground up and not be based off the Chrysler K platform. Depending on the market, these vans were known as the Chrysler Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler Voyager, Dodge Caravan, and Plymouth Voyager.
Video Chrysler minivans (NS)
Overview
With Generation III, the Chrysler minivans were available in long- and short- wheelbase models; three- and four-door configurations; and eight different powertrains, including electric and compressed natural gas; on a single, flexible platform.
In development for nearly 5 years from early 1990 (full development from 1991) to December 26, 1994 (final design by Don Renkert was approved on September 23, 1991 and frozen in May 1992), the 1996 model was introduced at the 1995 North American International Auto Show using the Chrysler NS platform. Gone were its K-car underpinnings and architecture, replaced with more modern components and Chrysler's acclaimed cab-forward design. It included a number of innovations, including a driver's side sliding door (optional initially, to become standard equipment later), a first for Chrysler and a non-compact minivan for the United States & Canada (the Honda Odyssey had introduced the first four-door non-compact minivan for the United States & Canada in 1994, although the first-generation Odyssey had conventional hinged rear doors). With Generation III, Chrysler introduced a seat management system marketed as Easy Out Roller Seats: When installed, the 2nd and 3rd row seats (either bucket or bench seats) were latched to floor-mounted strikers. When unlatched, eight rollers lifted each seat, allowing it to be rolled fore and aft. Tracks had locator depressions for rollers, thus enabling simple installation. Ergonomic levers at the seatbacks released the floor latches single-handedly without tools and raised the seats onto the rollers in a single motion. Additionally, seatbacks were designed to fold forward. Seat roller tracks were permanently attached to the floor and seat stanchions were 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. A conventional door handle and lock was added to the rear hatch, eliminating the confusing pop-and-lift maneuver which had been required on earlier models. The new minivans earned unanimous critical acclaim: the Dodge Caravan was the 1996 Motor Trend Car of the Year, and the vans were on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997.
Third generation models were sold as the Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. The Caravan and Voyager were available in either 3 or 4 door configurations on either a standard model or an extended wheelbase model known as the Grand Voyager and Grand Caravan, respectively. The Town & Country was only available in a long wheelbase configuration, with either 3 or 4 doors. Caravan trim levels were largely carried over from the previous generation, offered in Base, SE, and top of the line ES models, while a Sport package was available on short wheelbase SE models. Caravan ES models came with more options than before, featuring a standard Infinity sound system, a power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, deluxe cloth seating (leather was optional) and alloy wheels, among other features. As part of Chrysler's new corporate strategy to better focus the Plymouth brand on entry-level vehicles, Voyagers and were only available in base trim and better-equipped SE models, although a high end LE trim which was largely a clone of the Caravan ES was available in Canada. A Rallye option package continued to be available on SE model, being the de facto top of the line Voyager. It was renamed "Expresso" for 1998. The Town & Country was now available in two different trims, the LX and LXi. On the Voyager and Caravan, the trims were easily distinguished by their body-side moldings. Base models used a narrow accent color strip and SE models used a wide accent color strip, with Voyager SEs with the Rallye package receiving "Rallye" badges on the front doors. Caravan ES and Voyager LEs used the base model's narrow accent color molding combined with a full accent color effect on the lower portion of the doors. The vinyl woodgrain-appearance side paneling was no longer available, as the new side sheetmetal was no longer flat. Early Plymouth Voyagers had a Pentastar front logo and rear badges using the same font as the Caravan, which was changed to Plymouth's new "sailboat" logo and script font on the badges by calendar year 1996. Voyagers and Caravans were only differentiated by their grilles, and some wheel options, while The Town & Country received plastic lower side cladding with chrome strips, unique wheels and a chrome waterfall grille with the Chrysler brand's new ribbon logo. Unique features for the Town & Country included as pre-programmed driver's seat and mirror, standard leather interior, 8-way power adjustable front seats, Infinity sound system with cassette/CD player. As with previous generations, the NS minivan was exported as the Chrysler Voyager, which was a Dodge Caravan modified to meet European safety and lighting standards, while for the 2000 model year it received the Plymouth Voyager's front fascia.
In 1997, the Town & Country received standard dual sliding doors and a short wheelbase SX model (not available in Canada), and in 1998 it received a new front fascia, headlamps and wheels. Also in 1998, the Caravan SE dropped, replaced with a new "Sport" model that came with a completely color keyed body, rear spoiler and new wheels, and the Plymouth Voyager Rallye was renamed Expresso, while all models got grocery bag hooks installed on the rear seats. In 1999, the Caravan received standard dual sliding doors, as well as new front fascias, the ES model received revised trim, the "AutoStick" transmission and 17 inch wheels. With the discontinuation of the Plymouth brand, Voyagers produced late in the 2000 model year became Chrysler Voyagers, though they didn't receive any of the trim or options of the European export model.
In 1999, Dodge introduced the Caravan EPIC, a fully electric minivan. The EPIC was powered by 28 12-volt NiMH batteries and was capable of traveling up to 80 miles (130 km) on a single charge. The EPIC was sold as a fleet-only lease vehicle. Production of the EPIC was discontinued in 2001. Only a few hundred of these vehicles were produced and sold. After the leases expired they were returned and crushed. Approximately 10 vans remain in private hands today.
In 1999 a new concept trim was presented for each minivan, the Dodge Caravan R/T, Voyager XG, and the Chrysler Pacifica 1999 concept. The Caravan R/T (originally ESS) was to include the most powerful engine ever for a minivan, rated at 325 horsepower (242 kW). It had two Dodge Viper hoodscoops, a brushed aluminum instrument panel, racing-style pedals, and black and white rubber flooring. The Voyager XG was more rugged, and included many outdoor amenities, such as a built-in ice pack. The Chrysler Pacifica, based on the Town & Country, was more luxurious, had power leather seats and footrests, overhead bins and lighting, an LHS grille, and roof-long skylights. The skylight feature was used by Nissan in the Quest. The Pacifica actually did come to be in 2004, based on the RS minvans, except that it became a crossover SUV rather than a minivan.
Crash test results
The 1996-2000 Dodge Grand Caravan received a "Marginal" rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's 40 mph offset test. The structural performance and restraints were graded "Acceptable", but the foot injuries were very high.
In the NHTSA crash tests, it received 4 stars for the driver and front passenger in the frontal-impact. In the side-impact test, it received 5 stars for the driver, and 3 stars for the rear occupant, and resulted in a fuel leak that could cause a fire hazard.
According to EuroNCAP crash test results, the 1999 model Chrysler Voyager did so badly in the frontal impact that it earned no points, making it the worst of the group. The body structure became unstable and the steering column was driven back into the driver's chest and head'. The 2007 model Chrysler Voyager fared little better, achieving just 19% in the frontal impact test, with an overall score of 2 stars out of a possible 5. However, chest compression measurements on the test dummy 'indicated an unacceptably high risk of serious or fatal injury. As a result, the final star in the adult occupant rating is struck-through'.
Despite the bad results in the Euro NCAP crash tests, statistics from the real world indicate that this is not the whole picture. Folksam is a Swedish insurance company that in May 2009 published a report on injuries and survivability of 172 car models. The 88-96 generation got a real world rating of "Average", and the 96-00 generation got a rating called "Safest" (at least 30% safer than the average car.)
Powertrains
The Caravan and Voyager came standard with a new 2.4 L EDZ I4, replacing the 2.5 L K I4, while the optional 3.3 L EGA V6, which could be substituted for a 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6 in states that didn't require California emissions standards, was carried over from the previous generation. The 3.8 L EGH V6, also carried over, was available on the Caravan ES and was optional on the Town & Country, though Canadian Town & Country models got it standard. A manual transmission was no longer available and American and Canadian models, which received the 3-speed TorqueFlite transmission on 2.4L and 3.0L models, and the 4-speed Ultradrive transmission on 3.3 and 3.8L models. In 1999, the 3.8L became optional on Voyager Expresso models and the 2.4L was dropped in Canada, making the 3.0L V6 the base engine.
Export models came standard with a 2.0 L A588 I4 SOHC with a 5-speed manual transmission, an optional 2.0 L ECC I4 DOHC, and a 2.5 L VM425 I4 Turbo Diesel, all of which could come with manual or automatic transmissions. V6 powertrains were the same as the U.S. and Canada, though the 3.0L Mitsubishi V6 was not available. AWD models were not sold in the United Kingdom.
- 1996-2000 2.4 L EDZ I4, 150 hp (110 kW), 167 lb?ft (226 N?m)
- 1996-2000 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6 150 hp (110 kW), 176 lb?ft (239 N?m) (not available in certain U.S. states, 3.3 L V6 offered as standard equipment in those states instead)
- 1996-2000 3.3 L EGA V6, 158 hp (118 kW), 203 lb?ft (275 N?m)
- 1996-1997 3.8 L EGH V6, 166 hp (124 kW), 227 lb?ft (308 N?m)
- 1998-2000 3.8 L EGH V6, 180 hp (130 kW), 240 lb?ft (330 N?m)
- 2.0 L A588 I4 SOHC
- 2.0 L ECC I4 DOHC
- 2.5 L VM425 I4 Turbo Diesel
Maps Chrysler minivans (NS)
References
External links
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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