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Dodge Caravan

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{|border=0 align="right" |- |{{Infobox Automobile |name=Dodge Caravan |manufacturer=DaimlerChrysler
Chrysler Corporation |class=Minivan |platform=FF layout FF
All wheel drive AWD |production=1984–present |transmission=3, 4 and 5-speed automatic transmission automatic
5-speed manual transmission manual |similar=Chevrolet Uplander
Ford Freestar
Toyota Sienna
Hyundai Entourage }} |- |{{Infobox Automobile generation |name=First generation |image=Image:OldDodgeCaravan-non.jpg 250px|First generation Dodge Caravan |production=1984–1990 |body_style=3-door minivan |platform=Chrysler S platform |engine=Chrysler K engine K-family I4, 96 hp
Mitsubishi 6G7x engine#6G72 Mitsubishi 6G72 V6
Chrysler 3.3 engine Chrysler V6, 141 hp |aka=Plymouth Voyager
Chrysler Town & Country }} |- |{{Infobox Automobile generation |name=Second generation |image=Image:94grandes.jpg 250px|1994 Dodge Grand Caravan ES |production=1991–1995 |body_style=3-door minivan |platform=Chrysler S platform Chrysler AS platform |engine=Chrysler K engine K-family I4, 96 hp
Mitsubishi 6G7x engine#6G72 Mitsubishi 6G72 V6
Chrysler 3.3 engine Chrysler V6, 141 hp |aka=Plymouth Voyager
Chrysler Town & Country }} |- |{{Infobox Automobile generation |name=Third generation |image=Image:GCaravan97.JPG 250px|side of a 1997 Dodge Caravan |production=1996–2000 |body_style=3/4-door minivan |platform=Chrysler S platform Chrysler NS platform |engine=Chrysler Neon engine Neon I4
Chrysler 3.3 engine Chrysler V6 |aka=Plymouth Voyager
Chrysler Voyager
Chrysler Town & Country }} |- |{{Infobox Automobile generation |name=Fourth generation |image=Image:2006-Dodge-Caravan-05103331990001.jpg 250px|2006 Dodge Grand Caravan |production=2001–2007 |body_style=4-door minivan |platform=Chrysler S platform Chrysler RS platform |engine=Chrysler 3.3 engine Chrysler V6
Chrysler Neon engine Neon I4 |aka=Chrysler Voyager
Chrysler Town & Country
Chrysler Pacifica }} |} 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 Peuegot-Citroen (PSA), which abandoned the idea of the minivan. Bad idea, because it would have been the best selling minivan of all time. This design was picked up by Renault, and it became the Renault Espace.

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
Image:Ram Van (Old).JPG 250px|left|thumb|Dodge Mini Ram Van, the cargo version of the Dodge Caravan 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 Car and Driver Ten Best 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 Chrysler K engine K-family I4, 96 hp (72 kW) * 1987-1988 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G7x engine#6G72 Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 136 hp (101 kW) * 1989–1990 2.5 L Chrysler K engine K-family I4, 100 hp (75 kW) * 1989–1990 2.5 L Chrysler K engine K-family I4, turbocharged, 142 hp (106 kW) * 1989–1991 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G7x engine#6G72 Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 141 hp (105 kW) * 1989 3.3 L Chrysler 3.3 engine Chrysler V6, 141 hp (105 kW) * 1990–1991 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G7x engine#6G72 Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 142 hp (106 kW) * 1990–1991 3.3 L Chrysler 3.3 engine Chrysler V6, 150 hp (112 kW)

1991-1995
The 1991 through 1995 the Caravan used the Chrysler S platform 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 3.3 engine Chrysler V6, 150 hp (112 kW) 1991-93, 162 hp (121 kW) 1994-95 * 1991–1995 2.5 L Chrysler K engine K-family I4, 96 hp (72 kW) * 1991–1995 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G7x engine#6G72 Mitsubishi 6G72 V6, 141 hp (105 kW) * 1991–1995 3.8 L Chrysler 3.3 engine Chrysler V6, 162 hp (121 kW)

1996-2000
The 1996 redesign used the Chrysler S platform 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 Car and Driver Ten Best Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997. Base models of the Caravan were offered in most states with either a 2.4 L four-cylinder or a 3.0L Mitsubishi-built 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 as the V6 option from 1997 through 2000. The manual transmission, never popular, was dropped. The 2.4 L four-cylinder engine produced more power than the Mitsubishi 3.0 had in the first two generations. Engines: * 1996–1999 2.4 L Chrysler Neon engine Neon I4, 150 hp (112 kW) and 167 ft·lbf (226 N·m) * 1996–2000 3.3 L Chrysler 3.3 engine Chrysler V6, 158 hp (118 kW) and 203 ft·lbf (275 N·m) * 1997–2000 3.0 L V6 * 1997–1998 3.8 L Chrysler 3.3 engine Chrysler V6, 166 hp (124 kW) * 1999–2000 3.8 L Chrysler 3.3 engine Chrysler V6, 180 hp (134 kW) Other plans for this model year included three minivan concepts all to be made in the Windsor Assembly: Dodge Caravan R/T, Voyager XG, and the Chrysler Pacifica. The Caravan R/T was to include the most powerful engine ever for a minivan - 225 hp, it had two Dodge Viper hoodscoops, 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 was more luxurious, had power leather seats and footrests, overhead bins and lighting, an LHS grille, and roof-long skylights. The skylights were used by the Nissan Quest instead. The Pacifica actually did come to be in 2003, based on the 2001-07 model year Caravan, except that it was more of a small SUV rather than a minivan. Photos of these concepts can be seen on Allpar.com.

2001 to present
Besides a Durango-like crease in the hood, and a minor change in the head and taillights, it would be hard for an unpracticed eye to tell the difference between the 2000 and 2001 Caravan models. The 2001 generation minivans used the Chrysler S platform Chrysler RS platform. Foldable ''Stow 'n Go'' second- and third-row seats, available only on Grand Caravans, were introduced for 2005. The new minivan was much larger than before, with more cargo space, and is probably larger than the current Dodge Durango. The Mitsubishi-built 3.0 L V6, which no longer met emissions standards in California and the northeastern U.S, was dropped from the engine lineup for 2001. The Caravan C/V also returned to the lineup for 2003 after being discontinued in 1995. Also, the Caravan inspired the minivan-based SUV, the Chrysler Pacifica. Engines: * 2001-present 3.3 L Chrysler 3.3 engine Chrysler V6, 180 hp (134 kW) at 5000 rpm and 210 ft·lbf (285 N·m) at 4000 rpm * 2001-present 3.8 L Chrysler 3.3 engine Chrysler V6, 215 hp (160 kW) at 5000 rpm and 245 ft·lbf (332 N·m) at 4000 rpm * 2002-present 2.4 L Chrysler Neon engine Neon I4, 150 hp (112 kW) at 5400 rpm and 165 ft·lbf (224 N·m) at 4000 rpm (Caravan SE only) Fuel:
Along with [https://www.fleet.chrysler.com/fleetcda/CDAController?pageid=148 several other Daimler-Chrysler vehicles], the 2006 Dodge Caravan "[https://www.fleet.chrysler.com/fleetcda/CDAController?pageid=274 can burn E85, gas or any combination of the two]." According to information at the [http://www.e85fuel.com/information/daimler_chrysler.php National Ethanol Vehicle Corporation]], the Caravan has been flexfuel capable since 1998, except for the 2004-2005 model years.

2008
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 transmission and a new 4.0 L V6 engine are all but certain to appear, while a diaper changing station is rumored. Also, there may be rear windows that roll down, or a Hemi engine. Chrysler has finalized a deal through which Volkswagen will receive a variant of the Chrysler RT platform van with its own styling and features. It is expected to be produced at Saint Louis Assembly alongside the Dodge and Chrysler vans. Volkswagen says it is not the same as the Chrysler Vans, but under the skin is true Caravan. The plans are to keep the ''Stow 'n Go'' seating, maybe even for the front passenger seat, but that is still being decided. By the look of the front grille and headlights, a bit of family resemblance to the Charger and Magnum is seen. The rear of the new van is squared off, unlike the past two generations, and is quite like the Nissan Quest. The taillights are similar to the current generation, but squared off.

Minivan production
The long-wheelbase Dodge Grand Caravan with ''Stow 'n Go'' seats are built in Windsor, Ontario, Canada at Windsor Assembly (WAP Plant 3) by members of Canadian Auto Workers Local 444. The short wheelbase Dodge Caravan is produced in Fenton, Missouri at Saint Louis Assembly by members of the United Auto Workers Local 110.

External links

- Chrysler Minivan Club website
- Allpar minivan section: creation, each generation, tech, rumors
- AutoGuideWiki.com: Dodge Caravan Cargo Van

References
* {{cite web|url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=100632|title=Generations: Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth Minivans|work=Edmunds.com|accessdate=January 3|accessyear=2006}} {{Dodge Timeline}} {{Dodge}} Category:Dodge vehicles Caravan Category:Minivans Category:Flexible-fuel vehicles Category:Front wheel drive vehicles Category:All wheel drive vehicles

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