Chrysler Town and Country
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chrysler Town and Country | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | DaimlerChrysler Chrysler Corporation |
| Production | 1990-present |
| Assembly | St. Louis, Missouri Windsor, Ontario, Canada |
| Predecessor | Chrysler Voyager (For short-wheelbase version) |
| Class | Minivan |
| Similar | Buick Terraza Honda Odyssey Mercury Monterey |
This article is about the minivan. To see the article about other cars named the Town and Country, see Chrysler Town and Country (pre-1990).
The Chrysler Town and Country is a minivan marketed by DaimlerChrysler. The Town and Country was introduced in 1990, while its sister vehicles, the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, had already been in production since the 1984 model year. Chrysler's success of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager pursued the company to produce one of the first-ever luxury minivans, and General Motors was in hot pursuit by releasing the Oldsmobile Silhouette. But they arrived at dealerships the same time, which was in 1990.
Since their introduction, the Chrysler family minivans (including Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager) have been the best-selling minivans in the United States.
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[edit] Overview
The Town and Country was introduced in 1990. Before the introduction of the 1990 Chrysler Town & Country, the name had been used on several Chrysler vehicles from 1941 to 1988.
Since the beginning of production in the fall of 1983, more than 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". The twentieth anniversary was marked in 2004 with the Platinum Series Town & Country.
[edit] 1990
| First generation | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1990 |
| Body style | 3-door minivan |
| Layout | FF |
| Platform | Chrysler S platform |
| Engine | 3.3 L EGA V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed A604 automatic |
| Related | Dodge Caravan Plymouth Voyager |
The Town and Country was introduced in 1990 as a companion to the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan; it was essentially a more luxurious version of the Plymouth Grand Voyager. The first Town and Country minivan used the Chrysler S platform, which was closely related to the K-cars (Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries). An electronically-controlled four-speed automatic transmission was standard.
[edit] Engines
[edit] 1991-1995
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
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| Production | 1991–1995 |
| Body style | 3-door minivan |
| Layout | FF layout/All wheel drive |
| Platform | Chrysler S platform |
| Engine | 3.3 L EGA V6 3.8 L EGH V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed A604 automatic |
| Wheelbase | 119.3 in |
| Length | 192.8 in |
| Width | 72 in |
| Height | 66.7 in |
| Curb weight | 3955 lb |
| Related | Chrysler Voyager Dodge Caravan Plymouth Voyager |
The 1991 through 1995 Town and Country used the Chrysler AS platform. This was the last Town and Country that was derived from the Chrysler K platform. The 2nd generation Town & Country came loaded standard, with no actual trim levels, but only additional options.
[edit] Innovations
- "Quad Command" bucket seating (1991), made standard on the Town and Country (1992)
- 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)
[edit] Engines
[edit] Year-to-year changes
- 1992: All-wheel drive and integrated child safety seats were both options and a driver's side airbag was standard on 1992 Town & Countries. On the exterior, the vinyl woodgrain sides could be deleted and replaced by a gold pinstripe along the beltline. Also gold lacy-spoke alloy wheels were available.
- 1993: Several interior revisions, a stainless steel exhaust system, and new wheels were a few of the changes on 1993 Town & Countries.
- 1994: All 1994 Town & Countries were given a passenger's side airbag and knee bolsters. Side door guard beams were installed this year, so that they met 1998 federal side impact standards. Also made standard was a 3.8 L V6 engine.
- 1995: The fob for the standard remote keyless entry had to be pressed twice within five seconds to prevent accidental opening of the liftgate.
[edit] 1996-2000
| Third generation | |
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| Production | 1996–2000 |
| Body style | 3/4-door minivan |
| Layout | FF layout/All wheel drive |
| Platform | Chrysler S platform |
| Engine | 3.3 L EGA V6 3.8 L EGH V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed 41TE automatic |
| Wheelbase | 113.3 in (SWB) 119.3 in (LWB) |
| Length | 186.3 in 199.6 in |
| Width | 75.6 in |
| Height | 68.5 in |
| Curb weight | 3863 lb 3951 lb |
| Related | Chrysler Voyager Dodge Caravan Plymouth Voyager |
The 1996 redesign used the Chrysler NS platform and included a driver's-side sliding door, a first. 3rd generation 3-door only Town & Countrys were only offered for 1996, making them extremely rare. The Town & Country was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997. In 1999, Chrysler built a concept minivan, the Pacifica, which used the Town & Country's body shell, and bared a striking resemblence to a Town & Country, as well as an LHS. Base models of the Town and Country were offered in most states with the 3.0 L Mitsubishi V6 engine, except in California and several northeastern states, where the Mitsubishi V6 didn't meet emissions standards. In those locales, the 3.3 L engine was offered instead from 1997 through 2000. In Canada, Town & Country came standard with the 3.8 L V6 and were offered only in extended wheelbase versions.
[edit] Engines
- 1996–2000 3.3 L EGA V6, 158 hp (118 kW) and 203 ft·lbf (275 N·m)
- 1996–1998 3.8 L EGH V6, 166 hp (124 kW)
- 1999–2000 3.8 L EGH V6, 180 hp (134 kW)
[edit] Year-to-year changes
- 1997: Permanent all-wheel drive arrived as an option for 1997 on long-wheelbase minivans, and all-wheel drive models got 4-wheel disc brakes. Front wheel drive minivans gained a new traction control system, which worked at low speeds to prevent wheel slippage. The rear driver's side sliding door was standard on all 1997 Town & Countries. The lineup now included a short-wheelbase SX model and two long wheelbase models: the LX and LXi. The 3.8 L engine was standard on the LXi and optional on the SX and LX.
- 1998: The front fascia was freshened. There was now an open grille and winged emblem. The new front fascia also featured new headlights that offered better illumination. Also, the 3.8 L V6 gained 14 hp for a total of 180 hp. Another model, the top-of-the-line Limited, was also available for 1998.
- 1999: The middle bench seat was dropped for 1999, and a child seat was now available in one of the two reclining middle-row buckets. Other additions included a small cargo net between the front seats and 16 in chrome alloy wheels on the Limited.
- 2000: The short wheelbase SX minivans were dropped for 2000, leaving only extended wheelbase models, along with new interior and exterior colors. All models seated seven and had sliding doors on both sides. A new Rear Seat Video entertainment system, with a VCR and 6.4 in display screen, was available as a dealer-installed option.
[edit] Trim levels
- LX - 1996-2000
- LXi - 1996-2000
- SX - 1997-1999
- Limited - 1998-2000
- Note: In Canada, only the long wheelbase version was offered. LX trim was standard.
[edit] 2001-present
| Fourth generation | |
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| Also called | Chrysler Voyager (Europe) |
| Production | 2001–2007 |
| Body style | 4-door minivan |
| Layout | FF layout/All wheel drive |
| Platform | Chrysler S platform |
| Engine | 3.3 L EGA V6 3.8 L EGH V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed 41TE automatic |
| Wheelbase | 113.3 in(SWB) 119.3 in(LWB) |
| Length | 189.3 in 200.5 in |
| Width | 78.6 in |
| Height | 68.8 in 68.9 in |
| Curb weight | 3899 lb 4239 lb |
| Related | Chrysler Voyager (USA, 2001-2003) Dodge Caravan |
The 2001 minivans used the Chrysler RS platform. The Plymouth Voyager and Grand Voyager had been transferred to the Chrysler lineup in mid-2000, and for 2001, the Chrysler Voyager was available as a short-wheelbase model only. Since 2004, a short-wheelbase version of the Town & Country has been offered as compensation for the Voyager. Foldable Stow 'n Go second- and third-row seats, available only on long-wheelbase Town & Country models, were a first for 2005 along with a host of other updates such as new larger headlights.
A 3.5 L V6 was also planned for a mid-year introduction for 2001, but this never came to fruition.
[edit] Engines
- 2001-present 3.3 L EGA V6, 180 hp (134 kW) at 5000 rpm and 210 ft·lbf (285 N·m) at 4000 rpm
- 2001-present 3.8 L EGH V6, 215 hp (160 kW) at 5000 rpm and 245 ft·lbf (332 N·m) at 4000 rpm
Some Town and Country models from 1998 to 2003 can use E85 fuel.
[edit] Trim levels
note: Boldface trims are ones currently available as of the 2007 model year
- EX - 2001-2004
- LX - 2001-2007 (the base model in Canada, available only in long wheelbase)
- LXi - 2001-2003
- Limited - 2001-2007
- eL - 2002-2003
- base - 2003-2007
- Touring - 2004-2007
- special Series:
- Touring Platinum Series - 2004
- Signature Series - 2005
- Touring Signature Series - 2006-2007
- Spring Special Edition - 2006
| Fifth generation | |
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| Production | 2008- |
| Body style | 4-door minivan |
| Layout | FF layout/All wheel drive |
| Platform | Chrysler RT platform |
| Engine | 4.0L V6 |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 121.2 in |
| Length | 202.5 in |
| Width | 76.9 in |
| Height | 68.9 in |
| Related | Chrysler Town & Country Chrysler Pacifica |
The minivans are expected to be redesigned in 2007 as 2008 models by Ralph Gilles, who also worked on the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. A six-speed automatic and a new 4.0 L V6 engine are all but certain to appear. Chrysler has finalized a deal through which Volkswagen will receive a variant of the Chrysler RT platform van with its own styling and features, the DCX. It is planned for production at Windsor Assembly alongside the Town and Country vans. The new Town and Country made its debut at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show along with the Dodge Caravan.
[edit] Trim levels
- LX - 2008- (consists of packages 1,2, &, 3)
- Touring - 2008- (consists of packages 1,2, &, 3)
- Limited - 2008-
[edit] Minivan production
Chrysler Town & Country minivanshttp://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/2007_detroit/0702_2008_chrysler_town_and_country/photo_02.html with Stow 'n Go seats are built in Windsor, Ontario and Saint Louis Assembly.
Two plants have had the task of building the Town & Country, with Saint Louis Assembly building it from 1990 to 2001, and Windsor from 2001 to the present. As of May 2006, Windsor Assembly will be the lead producer of the RT, but will not fully take over until 2009 when they phase out current production of the Pacifica (CS). Saint Louis Assembly will fall in as the secondary minivan plant, and in 2009 will begin exclusive production of the new Pacifica platform (CT49).
Taiwanese-market Town & Country minivans are assembled in Yangmei, Taiwan under license by the China Motor Corporation, starting with the 2006 model year. They are similar to the North American model, with minor variations for the local market. Many other global markets receive the Chrysler Voyager/Grand Voyager assembled in Austria.
The Town & Country is also marketed in Mexico and Venezuela. Chrysler markets the Chrysler Caravan in Argentina.
[edit] Stow 'n' Go
The Stow 'n' Go feature(also available in the Dodge Grand Caravan) is an innovative seat-folding system to increase storage. The second row seats can be stored into the storage bins in the floor by folding and tumbling forward. The third row seats can be stored into the storage bins in the rear of the car by folding and tumbling backward. You can also tumble the third row seat backward for tailgating.
[edit] Swivel 'n' Go
The Swivel 'n' Go feature is only available on the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan. The pair of second row seats swivel around to face the third row. The car also comes with a table you can place in the middle of the second and third row seats.
[edit] External links
- Chrysler Minivan Club website
- Allpar minivan section: creation, each generation, tech, rumors
- Chrysler Town and Country
[edit] References
- Generations: Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth Minivans. Edmunds.com. Retrieved on January 3, 2006.
- http://www.auto.consumerguide.com :Chrysler Town and Country
- Chrysler Alternative Fuel Vehicles Line-Up. Chrysler.com. Retrieved on April 4, 2006.
- E85 Vehicles -- Daimler Chrysler. National Ethanol Vehicle Corporation www.e85fuel.com. Retrieved on January 3, 2006.
| Chrysler, part of DaimlerChrysler since 1998, road vehicle timeline, North American market, 1990s-present | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Minivan | Voyager | |||||||||||||||||||
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| GT | TC | |||||||||||||||||||
| Chrysler Corporation (Category • Vehicles) | |
|---|---|
| Current: | |
| Cars: | 300 • Crossfire • PT Cruiser • Sebring |
| Vans / SUVs: | Aspen • Pacifica • Town and Country • Voyager / Grand Voyager (outside North America) |
| Historic: | |
| Cars: | 300 series • 300M • Airflow • Airstream • Cirrus • Concorde • Conquest • Cordoba • E-Class • Fifth Avenue • Imperial • Imperial Parade Phaeton • Laser • LeBaron • LHS • Neon • Newport • New Yorker • Prowler • Royal • Saratoga • TC by Maserati • Town and Country • Turbine Car • Windsor |
| Vans / SUVs: | TEVan • Voyager |
| Concept: | |
| Cars: | Airflite • Akino • Atlantic • California Cruiser • CCV • Chronos • Citadel • Falcon • Firepower • Imperial Concept • Java • ME Four-Twelve • Nassau • Norseman • Pacifica • Phaeton • Pronto Cruizer |
