Plymouth Voyager - Definition

1997 Dodge Grand Caravan

The Chrysler Caravan or Dodge Caravan is a minivan marketed by the Chrysler Corporation. It was introduced in 1984 with its twin models, the Plymouth Voyager (nee Chrysler Voyager) and Chrysler Town and Country. It was the first modern minivan, and is credited with creating the entire market segment for these vehicles.

For the 1987 model year a longer platform of the minivans was introduced called the Grands. It was based on the Chrysler S platform. The Grand Caravan model features a longer wheelbase.

In the 1970s, before the debut of the 1984 Plymouth Voyager, there was a full-size passenger van by the same name based on the Dodge Sportsman van - a bit of badge engineering to help Plymouth dealers improve their sales. It could hold as many as 12 passengers (15 in the stretched version) and was was Plymouth's first truck bodied vehicle in many decades.

For Europe, the vehicle has been known as the Chrysler Voyager and Chrysler Caravan. It was produced at Chrysler's Eurostar plant, which was transferred, along with Voyager production, to Magna Steyr.

1984

First minivans used the Chrysler S platform. The Caravan and Voyager were on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1985.

Engines:

• 1988 2.5 L K-family I4, 96 hp
• 1988 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 engine V6, 136 hp
• 1989-1990 2.5 L K-family I4, 100 hp
• 1989-1991 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 engine V6, 141 hp
• 1989 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 141 hp
• 1990-1991 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 engine V6, 142 hp
• 1990-1991 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 150 hp

1992

1992 minivans used the Chrysler AS platform.

Engines:

• 1992-1993 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 150 hp
• 1992-1995 2.5 L K-family I4, 96 hp
• 1992-1995 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 engine V6, 141 hp
• 1994-1995 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 162 hp

1996

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

Engines:

• 1996-1999 2.4 L Neon I4, 150 hp and 167 ft.lbf
• 1996-2000 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 158 hp and 203 ft.lbf
• 1997-2000 3.0 L V6
• 1997-1998 3.8 L Chrysler V6, 166 hp
• 1999-2000 3.8 L Chrysler V6, 180 hp

2001

2001 minivans used the Chrysler RS platform. The Plymouth Voyager is now sold in the US as the Chrysler Voyager, upon the demise of the Plymouth marque, only to see its last model year in 2003. Foldable Stow 'n Go second- and third-row seats are a first for 2005 along with other updates.

Engines:

• 2001 3.4 L V6, 180 hp
• 2001-2005 3.3 L Chrysler V6, 180 hp
• 2001-2005 3.8 L Chrysler V6, 215 hp
• 2002-2005 2.4 L Neon I4, 150 hp

2008

The minivans will be redesigned for Model Year 2007 or 2008 by Ralph Gilles, who also worked on the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum.