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+2. Why didn't they add VVT? That helps alot in making the torque curve flatter throughout the rpm range. It also could have probably meant 20-25 more hp in this engine.
I have an '05 Pacifica Touring FWD and it is a great car. Navigation in the gauge cluster is nice indeed. It is very comforatble, handles well, is quiet and very smooth. Great 5.1 sound system. Heated front and rear seats.
I like that the new Pacifica is getting a 6-speed auto transmission. I was expecting more from the 4.0L engine. What was the point of making a 4.0L engine when the current 3.5L engine is almost as strong??? Unless they are planning on magically finding more horsepower in '08 and '09 models? Maybe?
And the corrugated hood! WTF! Whose idea was that? Does anyone think that looks good? Also the new headlight design looks kind of retarded.
Overall my '05 looks more like an SUV. This '07 looks more like a minivan. I think the ribs in the hood accent how short the hood is.
The transmission issues were primarily with early 2013 and 2014 models with the 9 speed. It was attributed to either software (mostly resolved) and a bad c-clip in the transmission housing (fixed).
They are a lot better now and I have had zero issues (so far, knock on wood) with the 9 speed in my Cherokee over the past 8k miles.
The transmission issues were primarily with early 2013 and 2014 models with the 9 speed. It was attributed to either software (mostly resolved) and a bad c-clip in the transmission housing (fixed).
They are a lot better now and I have had zero issues (so far, knock on wood) with the 9 speed in my Cherokee over the past 8k miles.
That's good to know. Someone here lemon law'd their 200S because of the transmission so I wasn't sure how pervasive it was. Thanks for sharing that update.
This is a good looking minivan. I don't know who Chrysler hired to do their designs but they've done quite a job recently.
Since the Chrysler minivan (whatever it is named ... Town & Country VS Pacifica) ... they're built in my hometown, Windsor, ON (across from Detroit, MI). Here is the local reporter info on the new Pacifica (including the design team):
DETROIT — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV is shaking up the decidedly uncool minivan segment with a makeover and a name change, a move it hopes will revive slumping sales of the vehicle it invented 32 years ago.
FCA unveiled its reimagined minivan Monday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and it’s a far cry from the wood-panelled Dodge Grand Caravans the newest generation of car buyers grew up with.
Built in Windsor, Ont., the van looks more like a modern crossover than a traditional minivan, but will actually carry more passengers — eight, instead of a maximum of seven in existing Chrysler minivans. It will also be available in a plug-in hybrid version.
FCA also rebranded the vehicle, scrapping the stodgy Town & Country nameplate in favour of Pacifica, the name of a crossover Chrysler sold from 2004 to 2008 with limited success.
“Everybody who mattered on the North American team expressed a view on this, and I think we came away with a very firm view that … we had to de-link this new vehicle from the history of the Town & Country, which is known as the car that soccer moms used to drive,” FCA chief executive Sergio Marchionne said in a press conference following the vehicle’s unveiling.
“This is not to discourage soccer moms from buying it, but it’s got a wider audience in terms of a potential market and I think we wanted to be sure that it has a name that at least allowed it to have the interface with that market.”
FCA invested US$2 billion in its Windsor plant to develop the next-generation minivan and is hiring 600 new workers to build it, according to the Windsor Star.
Marchionne said he will meet with representatives from the Ontario and federal governments on Tuesday and will tell them “they should be proud of what we’ve been able to do in Windsor.”
In order to prepare for the Pacifica, the Windsor plant was shut down for 12 weeks earlier this year for retooling, a move that may have weighed on sales in the already depressed minivan segment.
In 2015, U.S. sales of the Chrysler Town & Country fell 32 per cent and sales of the Dodge Caravan fell 27 per cent. In Canada, where the Town & Country is more popular, sales of that vehicle rose 0.6 per cent while sales of the Dodge Caravan fell 9.3 per cent. Chrysler plans to eventually phase out the Caravan.
Chrysler has been a leader in the minivan segment since it came out with the first Caravan in 1984, but it’s a shrinking market. Minivan sales accounted for less than three per cent of new vehicles bought in the U.S. last year, compared to 8.5 per cent at their peak in 1995, according to data from Ward’s Auto.
Following the minivan’s reveal, Marchionne also weighed in on his favourite topic, industry consolidation.
He said FCA has “abandoned” the notion of an automotive merger for now to focus on its plan to be debt-free by 2018, but that doesn’t mean he’s walking away from the idea entirely.
“The (consolidation) pitch was not intended as a substitute for the plan or as an excuse for not achieving the plan,” Marchionne said.
But he reiterated his view that industry consolidation is “inevitable,” and said a debt-free FCA will be in a much better position to find a partner, even if Marchionne himself, who plans to retire at the end of 2018, isn’t around to see it happen.
“Achieving the 2018 plan puts this house in a completely different position to have the inevitable discussion about consolidation, which must happen whether we like it or not,” he said.
If minivans are uncool, it's just because of a lack of imagination. The newest minvans are the best vehicles in a country that abhors the station wagon.
If I had kids, I'd get one and be fine driving it. SUVs are far less practical IMO.
If minivans are uncool, it's just because of a lack of imagination. The newest minvans are the best vehicles in a country that abhors the station wagon.
If I had kids, I'd get one and be fine driving it. SUVs are far less practical IMO.
+1
The new Honda and Toyota vans are stellar to drive and have all the right features to move a family and all their shit around efficiently and comfortably all day long.
The only reason to buy a Suburban is if you need to tow. Otherwise, van all the way. The larger 3 row crossovers are a waste of space and fuel.
If minivans are uncool, it's just because of a lack of imagination. The newest minvans are the best vehicles in a country that abhors the station wagon.
If I had kids, I'd get one and be fine driving it. SUVs are far less practical IMO.
I'm right there with you, I'm perfectly fine having an Odyssey in the garage, but my better half would rather walk than drive a Minivan or Wagon. So we ended up with both, a Ford Flex...at least that's how I describe it, a Minivan/Wagon hybrid, van without the sliding doors & a lower roof.
I'm confused. Why are they calling this the new Pacifica? The Pacifica was a bit of a boat of an SUV in it's day, but it was never a van. This is like taking the name "Pilot" and slapping it on the back of an Odyssey...
Don't get me wrong. I liked the original Pacifica, and I like this new van, but why are they not calling it the Town and Country?
I'm confused. Why are they calling this the new Pacifica? The Pacifica was a bit of a boat of an SUV in it's day, but it was never a van. This is like taking the name "Pilot" and slapping it on the back of an Odyssey...
Don't get me wrong. I liked the original Pacifica, and I like this new van, but why are they not calling it the Town and Country?
Extensive focus group testing found that customers liked Pacifica much more than Town & Country. I tend to agree; T&C sounds stodgy as hell. Like Judge Smails drives one to Bushwood to cheat at golf.
Extensive focus group testing found that customers liked Pacifica much more than Town & Country. I tend to agree; T&C sounds stodgy as hell. Like Judge Smails drives one to Bushwood to cheat at golf.
For 2017, the Chrysler Pacifica name returns on an all-new minivan platform, replacing the Town & Country and, eventually, Dodge Grand Caravan. "All-new" also means an all-new price; here's what you can expect to see on Pacifica window stickers at your local Chrysler dealer, all including destination:
- 2017 Chrysler Pacifica LX: $29,590
Includes cloth bucket seats, Stow 'n Go, 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, rear parking camera and more standard.
- 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring: $31,490
Adds satellite radio, power sliding doors and more.
- 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring-L: $35,490
Adds leather seating surfaces, power liftgate and Safety Tec system with blind spot monitoring, rear park assist and more.
- 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring-L Plus: $38,890
Adds Uconnect Theater rear seat entertainment, heated second-row seats, 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment and more.
- 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: $43,490
Adds panoramic sunroof, memory power seating, power third-row seats, navigation, stow 'n vac vacuum system and more
Attended the 11th annual Spring Festival of LX's today. Over at the showcase they had two new Pacificas...The one pictured...and a black one with someone aftermarket stuff done (wheels, trim, etc)
Its really nice in person. Very solid feeling interior, leather seats were very supple. The electronic auto folding 3rd row was pretty cool. The stock 20" look cool. I like the blacked out emblems and smoked tail lights.
It looks really good in black and dark grey. I hope this is a home run for FCA. Its a pretty nice ride!
Google parent to purchase 100 minivans from auto maker for testing driverless-automobile technology
May 3, 2016
Google parent Alphabet Inc. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV agreed to incorporate Alphabet’s self-driving technology into 100 Chrysler minivans, significantly expanding the tech giant’s test fleet of driverless vehicles and marking its first partnership with a major auto maker.
Alphabet and Fiat Chrysler engineers will collaborate in Michigan to redesign the 2017 Pacifica Hybrid minivan to integrate Alphabet’s computers, sensors and software, the companies said. The minivans, like Alphabet’s other self-driving cars, will be solely for testing.
Alphabet aims to have the first driverless minivans on the road by year’s end but declined to provide a timeline for all 100 vehicles.
By expanding the test fleet, the agreement will help Alphabet’s quest to automate the world’s vehicles. Alphabet’s current fleet of 70 self-driving cars has driven more than 1.5 million miles in California, Washington, Texas and Arizona.
The deal is also a small but critical win for Fiat Chrysler, which has been viewed as lagging in rapidly advancing driverless technology. Other major auto makers, like Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors Co., are investing in their own driverless-car technology, and generally have been hesitant to work with Alphabet. But Fiat Chrysler Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne has resisted developing autonomous technologies, preferring to team up or buy what he needs later.
The deal could allow Fiat Chrysler and Alphabet later to design a new vehicle from the wheels up, rather than retrofitting a current model. Alphabet has said it has no plans to build its own cars.
In a statement, the head of Alphabet’s driverless-car efforts, former auto executive John Krafcik, said Fiat Chrysler’s “nimble and experienced engineering team” will help Alphabet “accelerate our efforts to develop a fully self-driving car.”
Mr. Marchionne added in the release: “The experience both companies gain will be fundamental to delivering automotive technology solutions.”
Alphabet’s self-driving fleet now includes Lexus sport-utility vehicles that Alphabet modified and prototype podlike cars built by Roush Industries Inc.
Alphabet and Fiat Chrysler want to have at least one prototype operational around the time of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, according to two people briefed on the matter. For the first time next year, the show will include space and a test track area for autonomous vehicles.
The vehicles will be built at the Windsor, Ontario plant that manufacturers the Pacifica. Mr. Marchionne is scheduled to make an appearance at the Windsor plant on Friday to celebrate the launch of the 2017 minivan.
Fiat Chrysler will build Pacific minivans to enable easy integration of Alphabet’s technology, which includes computers, sensors and software, according to the person.
The cars will just be for testing, and Alphabet won’t sell any of the minivans, this person said.
Alphabet expects to begin taking the cars over the next several months, the person added.
Private motorists will not be able to buy a new Chrysler Voyager in the 2022 model year; the minivan is now a fleet-only model. The cheaper alternative to the Pacifica loses most of its trim levels, but it gains a longer list of standard features during the transition.
Fleet buyers take on many shapes and forms, but in minivan-speak the term usually denotes rental car companies. Chrysler simplified buying by paring down the lineup from three to one trim. Called LX, it gains a 7.0-inch touchscreen that runs the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, second-row Stow 'n Go seats, power-operated sliding doors, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel; that's not bad for something you're picking up at the airport to spend a weekend in. There's also a new air filtration system shared with the Pacifica.
The list of options now includes a package called Safety and Premium Group that bundles a blind-spot monitoring system, rear parking sensors, rear cross-path detection, full-speed forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation. However, upmarket features like leather upholstery and a 19-speaker Harman-Kardon surround-sound system are not offered.
Chrysler is not making mechanical changes, so power for the Voyager comes from a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 rated at 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It spins the front wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is not available; only the Pacifica can get its power sent to four wheels. Similarly, there are no visual changes to report. The Voyager still looks like a pre-facelift Pacifica.
Pricing information for the 2022 Voyager will be announced closer to its on-sale date. At launch, buyers will have five colors called Silver Mist, Brilliant Black, Bright White, Granite Crystal, and Velvet Red, respectively. The former (shown in the gallery) is new for 2022.
The 2027 Pacifica introduces a sharpened exterior, upgraded interior options, expanded technology packages and new standard features - all designed to give customers greater choice, comfort and confidence than ever before.
"Chrysler created the minivan 43 years ago, and we fully intend to continue leading the segment we invented," said Matt McAlear, Chrysler CEO. "For the 2027 model year, Pacifica builds on the innovation and comfort our customers expect, with a refreshed exterior design, new safety and convenience features and smarter tech. And true to its legacy, the Pacifica continues to celebrate all of its innovative, award-winning features, like class-exclusive Stow 'n Go seating in both the second and third rows, FamCAM, seven- or eight-passenger seating capability and the smart functionality that has made our Chrysler minivans a trusted member of countless families."
For 2027, the Chrysler Pacifica Select, Limited and Pinnacle trims receive a striking new front fascia, vertical LED headlamps and an illuminated grille with a unique lit signature called "piano keys." The refreshed Pacifica also features a new Chrysler wing logo and rear liftgate applique, giving the minivan a commanding, modern stance.
New exterior paint colours and new wheel designs offer more personalization across the Pacifica model lineup.
The Chrysler Grand Caravan - an exclusive and trusted nameplate in Canada - retains its signature exterior design for 2027 and continues as the entry point into the Chrysler minivan family. Positioned to deliver exceptional value, the Grand Caravan offers an extensive list of standard comfort, convenience and technology features that set it apart in the segment.
Standard equipment includes leather-faced seats, an all-black interior theme, Super Console, second-row sunshades, three-zone automatic temperature control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Convenience features include power sliding doors, a power liftgate and remote start. Technology highlights include the Uconnect 5 system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more than 100 standard and available safety and security features, including rear park assist, adaptive cruise control, Lane Departure Warning, Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection and seven airbags.
Inside, the seven- or eight-passenger Pacifica advances its premium craftsmanship. A new Chrysler wing badge in Satin Chrome finish is inset on the steering-wheel driver-airbag cover, as well as new accents that upgrade the interior ambiance throughout the lineup. The range-topping Pinnacle model debuts a standard model-exclusive Blue Agave interior colour and new finishes throughout, including Copper Alloy accent bezels. The deco trim on the instrument panel is a new Dark Platinum Paint, while the seats include a new "Parquet" perforation pattern and Tungsten Patina piping.
Pacifica continues to lead with innovation for the 2027 model year, introducing enhancements to the Safety Sphere Package, including Turn Signal-activated Blind Spot View and ParkSense-based Camera Activation, increasing driver visibility and situational awareness.
The refreshed 2027 model-year Pacifica also debuts a more flexible tech strategy with the decoupling of the Uconnect Theatre Package and the newly named Family Tech Group, allowing families to choose the features that matter most to them, whether that's Amazon Fire TV built-in, FamCAM interior camera monitoring, premium audio, additional power outlets or second- and third-row features.
A new adjustable-height power liftgate becomes standard across all trims, offering easier access for drivers of all heights and improved convenience in low-clearance spaces.
A hallmark of Chrysler innovation, the Pacifica continues to stand alone in the segment with its exclusive Stow 'n Go seating and storage system, delivering unmatched convenience and versatility for busy families. Unlike any other minivan, Pacifica's second- and third-row seats fold easily into the floor, creating a flat load space in seconds - perfect for road trips, gear-heavy weekends or everyday utility.
And if Fiat offered AWD, I would even consider hitting it.
