Chrysler Pacifica (RU)

Chrysler Pacifica
Overview
Manufacturer Chrysler (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)
Production 2016–present
Model years 2017–present
Assembly Windsor, Ontario, Canada (Windsor Assembly)
Designer Irina Zavatski,[1] Winnie Cheung[2] (interior)
Body and chassis
Class Minivan
Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform Compact US Wide
Related Chrysler 200 (UF)
Powertrain
Engine 3.6 L Pentastar V6 (gasoline)
Transmission 9-speed 948TE automatic
CVT automatic (PHEV)[3]
Electric range 33 miles (EPA rated)
Plug-in charging 16-kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery
Dimensions
Wheelbase 121.6 in (3,089 mm)
Length 203.6 in (5,171 mm)
Width 79.6 in (2,022 mm)
Height 69.9 in (1,775 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor Chrysler minivans (RT)

The Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan being produced by the Chrysler division of FCA US LLC. Although sharing its name with a discontinued crossover, it is an all-new design replacing the Chrysler Town & Country.

The minivan is produced with two powertrains, a 3.6-liter gasoline powered engine and a plug-in hybrid, marketed as Pacifica Hybrid. The plug-in hybrid version has a 16-kWh Lithium-ion battery capable of delivering an all-electric range of 33 mi (53 km). The gasoline-only version of the Pacifica minivan went on sale in mid-2016, while the plug-in hybrid version became available in early 2017.

History

Side view

In June 2013, it was reported that Chrysler was preparing to produce a new generation of its Town & Country minivan at the Windsor Assembly Plant, with production set to begin in 2015 and a release for the 2017 model year. An industry analyst reported that the new version would possibly be a crossover utility vehicle in the vein of the Pacifica.[4]

In 2015, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne announced that it would invest $2 billion in developing a new minivan, and overhauling the Windsor Assembly Plant to facilitate its production.[5] A company roadmap revealed that a new Town & Country would begin production in February 2016 for the 2017 model year, and that the final-generation Dodge Grand Caravan would be maintained in parallel with the new Town & Country as a lower-cost option during the 2017 model year, after which it will be discontinued. Marchionne has been against "duplicate[d] investments" in product development—a strategy reflected by his reduction of badge-engineering between FCA US's domestic marques.[6][7][8] On November 3, 2015, FCA filed to have its trademark registration on the Pacifica brand renewed; FCA's Head of Passenger Car Brands Timothy Kuniskis denied that this was related to any new products, and that it was standard industry practice to continue renewing its trademarks because "you don't want to lose names. Establishing new names is expensive."[8]

The new vehicle debuted on January 11, 2016, at the 2016 North American International Auto Show. Rather than being named as the Town & Country, the new vehicle was branded as the Pacifica. The decision to drop the Town & Country brand was made primarily to distinguish the new vehicle from previous iterations; Director of Chrysler brand product marketing Bruce Velisek explained that the Pacifica was meant to "change the entire paradigm of what people know about minivans in the segment". Among its differences from the previous Town & Country is a new platform, and a design carrying a sportier appearance inspired by crossovers—a market segment that had cannibalized minivan sales—in an effort to disassociate the vehicle from other minivans with a boxier build.[9][10] Chrysler is also changing the minivan's sliding doors: they will be aluminum and hands-free, opening automatically when the fob holder waves under them.[11]

On March 10, 2016, FCA announced that the starting price of the 2017 Pacifica would be US$28,595.[12] This is US$1,400 less than the starting price of the 2016 Town & Country. On November 15, 2016, pricing for the plug-in hybrid model was released. The base model called 'Premium' starts at US$41,995 and the high-end 'Platinum' model starts at US$44,995. Because the Pacifica Hybrid has a 16 kWh battery pack, it qualifies in the U.S. for the full US$7,500 federal tax credit and also to other incentives at the state and local level.[13] In June 2017, Chrysler recalled the 1,600 RUs sold to fix the electronics.[14]

The production of a plug-in hybrid version, which will be the first of its class in the United States, was, according to chief engineer Kevin Mets, meant to create an electric vehicle that could feasibly be a family's "primary vehicle".[15]

Production

Production of the vehicle will be on an all-new platform at the Windsor Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.[16]

Powertrains

Charging port of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The Pacifica utilizes a new revision of the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, and will be produced with two powertrains, gasoline-only and plug-in hybrid, marketed as Pacifica Hybrid. The plug-in hybrid version utilizes a 16-kWh Lithium-ion battery, located under second row seat flooring (the hybrid will not be available with the stow'n'go seating and vacuum), with an all-electric range of 33 mi (53 km)[17] before switching back to using the gasoline engine. The battery can be fully recharged in two hours using a 240-volt plug-in system. The gasoline-only version of the Pacifica minivan was scheduled to begin sales by mid-2016, while the plug-in hybrid version will be available for sale by late 2016. Chrysler expected the plug-in hybrid model to achieve a fuel economy of at least 80 miles per gallon equivalent,[5][15][18] but on December 1, 2016, the EPA announced the minivan achieved 84 MPGe.[19]

Fuel economy

The Pacifica Hybrid operating in hybrid mode has the highest fuel economy of any minivan available in the American market as of December 2016.[20] The following table presents the official EPA fuel economy ratings for both powertrain variants of the Chrysler Pacifica.

Fuel economy as rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency[21]
(Fuel economy as displayed in the Monroney label)
Vehicle Model
year
Operating
mode
(AER)
EPA fuel economy ratings Notes
Combined CityHighway
Chrysler Pacifica 2017 Gasoline
only
22 mpg 18 mpg 28 mpg
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid 2017 Electricity only
(33 mi)
84 mpg-e(1)
(40 kWh/100 mi)
- - During the first 33 mi uses some gasoline.
The actual all-electric range is between 0 and 33 mi.[21]
Gasoline only32 mpg - -
Notes: (1) Conversion 1 gallon of gasoline=33.7 kW-hr.

Safety

NHTSA 2017 Chrysler Pacifica VAN FWD:[22]
Overall:
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover: / 11.6%
IIHS 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Top Safety Pick+:[23]
Small overlap front Good
Moderate overlap front Good
Side Good
Roof strength (2015–present models) Good
Head restraints & seats Good

Awards

Marketing

In April 2016, Chrysler launched a television advertising campaign for the Pacifica entitled "Dad Brand", featuring comedian Jim Gaffigan and his children.[32] In October 2016, Chrysler launched a social media-oriented campaign known as "PacifiKids", featuring videos in which unsuspecting families shopped for the vehicle at a dealership staffed entirely by children.[33]

Total sales

Calendar Year United States Canada México Total Cumulative total
2016 62,366[34] 2,560[35] 64,926
2017 35,479[36]1,344[37]234[38][39] 37,057 101,983

References

  1. Payne, Henry (March 31, 2016). "Chrysler Pacifica designer makes minivans cool again". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  2. "2017 Chrysler Pacifica Design with Winnie Cheung and Brand Faurote". MSN. January 12, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  3. "2017 Chrysler Pacifica: New Look, New Name, New Hybrid Powertrain". Automobile Magazine. Retrieved 11 January 2016. If buyers do plug in and regularly top-up the battery pack, that number is expected to be 80 mpg, with about 30 miles of all-electric driving possible. Instead of the nine-speed automatic, an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission of Chrysler's own design will divvy up power to the front wheels.
  4. "Next minivan to launch in 2015 as Chrysler Town and Country: Report". Windsor Star. 2013. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
  5. 1 2 "2017 Chrysler Pacifica is a 'monumental leap' forward". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  6. "Marchionne on consolidation: 'Something needs to give'". The Detroit News. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  7. Vellequette, Larry P. (June 22, 2015). "Dodge plans to produce '17 minivan". Automotive News. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Priddle, Alisa (December 5, 2015). "2017 Chrysler minivan coming; Dodge not leaving yet". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  9. "2017 Chrysler Pacifica: All-new ‘modern family’ minivan". The Detroit News. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  10. "2017 Chrysler Pacifica isn't your parents' Town & Country [w/video]". Autoblog. AOL. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  11. "Chrysler unveils all-new minivan at Detroit auto show". www.cbc.ca. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  12. "All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Delivers Unprecedented Functionality, Versatility and Technology Starting at $28,595 MSRP". Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  13. Szostech, Michael. "Chrysler Pacific Hybrid pricing announced, starting at $41,995 US". My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  14. "Woes mounting for recalled 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan". Washington Post. 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2017-07-02.
  15. 1 2 "Why Chrysler made the Pacifica Hybrid". Autoblog. AOL. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  16. "As Chrysler redoes the minivan, a look back". bsccomment.com. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  17. Szostech, Michael. "Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Specifications". My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  18. Valdes-Dapena, Peter. "Chrysler's new minivan of the future". CNNMoney. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  19. Szostech, Michael. "Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Specifications". My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  20. Cobb, Jeff (5 December 2016). "2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Is By Far America’s Most Fuel-Efficient Minivan". HybridCars.com. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  21. 1 2 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy (9 December 2016). "Compare Side-by-Side - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid and 2017 Chrysler Pacifica". Fueleconomy.gov. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  22. "2017 Chrysler Pacifica VAN FWD". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  23. "2017 Chrysler Pacifica Top Safety Pick+". Iihs.org. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  24. "All-new Chrysler Pacifica Named “Best Minivan of 2016” in Cars.com "Ultimate Minivan Challenge"". FCA US Media Website. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  25. "2017 Chrysler Pacifica Named "Best New Large Utility Vehicle" by Automobile Journalists Association of Canada". FCA US Media Website. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  26. "All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Named North American Utility Vehicle of the Year". FCA US Media Website. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  27. "2017 Chrysler Pacifica Named Family Vehicle of the Year by MAMA". FCA US Media Website. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  28. "All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Wins Drivers’ Choice Award for Best Minivan from MotorWeek". FCA US Media Website. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  29. "All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Named Crossover-SUV of the Year by the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press". FCA US Media Website. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  30. "All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Named Top Minivan of 2017 by New York Daily News Autos Team". FCA US Media Website. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  31. "All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Named Best Minivan in Popular Mechanics’ Automotive Excellence Awards". FCA US Media Website. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  32. "Comedian Jim Gaffigan stars in Chrysler Pacifica ads". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  33. "Chrysler turns to kids to sell Pacifica minivan". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  34. "FCA US Reports 2016 December and Full-year U.S. Sales" (Press release). FCA North America. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  35. "FCA Canada December and Full-year 2016 Sales" (Press release). FCA North America. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  36. FCA US (FCA US Reports April 2017 U.S. Sales)
  37. FCA Canada (FCA Canada Reports March 2017 Sales)
  38. Portal Automotriz (FCA México reporta crecimiento de 6% en sus ventas de marzo)
  39. Zócalo (Colocó FCA-Chrysler 32 mil 809 en el primer cuatrimestre)
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