Cars - Dodge Caravan

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	Cars - Dodge Caravan

The Dodge Caravan and Dodge Grand Caravan are minivans manufactured by DaimlerChrysler (they were sold by the Chrysler Corporation until 1998). They were introduced in 1983 for the 1984 model year along with sister model the Plymouth Voyager
(née Chrysler Voyager
). The first modern minivans, the Chrysler company minivans are credited with creating the entire market segment for these vehicles.

Since their introduction, the Chrysler minivans have been the best-selling minivans in the United States.

According to Allpar.com, Chrysler didn't invent the minivan once, they invented it twice. Well, on first note, the original Town & Country was actually a station wagon in the 60's and 70's, and the name carried on to the van. Also, according to Richard Moss, Chrysler Europe worked with Matra to create a minivan in the 70's, but when it went in production, it was sold to Peugot-Citroen (PSA), which abandoned the idea of the minivan. Bad idea, because it would have been the best selling minivan of all time.

Overview

Introduced in 1983 for the 1984 model year, the first minivan of all time, the Dodge Caravan was based on the Chrysler S platform, an extended derivative of the Chrysler K platform. For the 1987 model year, a longer wheelbase was introduced, which was called the Grand Caravan. It was still based on the Chrysler S platform.

Since the beginning of production in the fall of 1983, over 11 million Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth minivans have been sold as of mid-2005.

Special anniversary editions of the Chrysler minivans have been issued to mark significant milestones; the first, in 1994, is notable for the "10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION" badges and special two-tone paint, and was offered on the Dodge SE models. The twentieth anniversary was marked in 2004 with the Anniversary Edition SXT Caravan.

Also, in 2004, Chrysler held a Stand By Your Van Contest, where contestants had to place one hand on the new van. The person whose hand was on the longest won a brand new Caravan, and be one of the first consumers to experience the new Stow 'n Go seating. The event was held during the Chicago Auto Show.

1984-1990

The Caravan's used the Chrysler S platform, which was closely related to the K-cars (Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries. There were three trim levels on the first generation Caravan: base, mainstream SE and upscale LE. The Caravan was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1985. Both a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission and a five-speed stickshift were available with the four-cylinder engines, including the turbocharged 2.5 L (this was a rare combination). A cargo version of the Caravan, called the Mini Ram Van, was also introduced in 1984. It was renamed as the Caravan C/V for 1989, and was discontinued after 1995.

Engines:

1988 2.5 L K-family I4, 96 hp (72 kW)
1987-1988 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 136 hp (101 kW)
1989–1990 2.5 L K-family I4, 100 hp (75 kW)
1989–1990 2.5 L K-family I4, turbocharged, 142 hp (106 kW)
1989–1991 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 141 hp (105 kW)
1989 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 141 hp (105 kW)
1990–1991 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 142 hp (106 kW)
1990–1991 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 150 hp (112 kW)

1991-1995

The 1991 through 1995 the Caravan used the Chrysler AS platform. These were the last minivans that were derived from the Chrysler K platform.

This generation of vans brought additional innovations, such as:

"Quad Command" bucket seating (1991)
Integrated child safety seats (1992), improved design with recliners (1994)
Available anti-lock brakes (1991)
First driver's side airbag in a minivan (1991), made standard (1992), and first dual front airbags (1994)
First minivan to meet 1998 U.S. federal safety standards (1994)

Engines:

1991–1995 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 150 hp (112 kW) 1991-93, 162 hp (121 kW) 1994-95
1991–1995 2.5 L K-family I4, 96 hp (72 kW)
1991–1995 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 141 hp (105 kW)
1991–1995 3.8 L Chrysler V6, 162 hp (121 kW)

1996-2000

The 1996 redesign used the Chrysler NS platform and included a driver's-side sliding door, a first. All wheel drive was reintroduced in 1997. The Caravan was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1996. The Caravan was also on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Dodge Caravan ]

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Cars - Dodge Caravan

Overview

1984-1990

1991-1995

1996-2000

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