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Chrysler Town & Country (minivan)
The Chrysler Town & Country is a minivan that was manufactured and marketed by Chrysler from 1990 to the 2016 model years. The third Chrysler minivan introduced in North America, the Town & Country adopted its nameplate from the flagship Chrysler station wagon line, adopting its exterior woodgrain trim as a design feature for several generations. Marketed as the flagship of the Chrysler minivan line, five generations of the Town & Country were slotted above the extended-wheelbase Dodge Grand Caravan and Plymouth Grand Voyager. For 2017, Chrysler retired the nameplate, with sixth-generation Chrysler-division minivans becoming the Chrysler Pacifica.[1][2] After the 2016 model year, Chrysler marked the sale of its 12 millionth minivan (under all three nameplates).[3] Produced almost continuously for 75 years (with the exception of World War II and 1989), the Town & Country nameplate is the longest-produced Chrysler; its longevity is second only to the Chevrolet Suburban in worldwide automotive history. Chrysler assembled the first three generations of the model line in its Saint Louis Assembly facility (Fenton, Missouri). The fourth and fifth-generation Town & Country were produced by Chrysler Canada by Windsor Assembly (Windsor, Ontario). First generation (1990)
The Chrysler Town & Country minivan was introduced as a minivan in the spring of 1989 as an early 1990 model. Originally slated for a 1989 model-year release,[4] the nameplate had been placed on hiatus for the first time since 1945 as Chrysler discontinued station wagon production after the 1988 model year. Having sold the line as one of its flagship vehicles (similar to the New Yorker and Imperial until the end of the 1970s), Chrysler sought to continue the name for a minivan (as the vehicles replaced full-size station wagons across multiple premium brands). Though its 1980s namesake was a station wagon counterpart of the Chrysler LeBaron sedan, a Town & Country minivan was benchmarked as the equivalent of the largest Chrysler sedans, including the 1989-1990 New Yorker Landau and Fifth Avenue.[5] The 1990 Chrysler Town & Country used the Chrysler S platform, sharing its bodyshell with the Dodge Grand Caravan and Plymouth Grand Voyager. Alongside its role of securing higher-profit sales, another objective behind the development of the model line (introduced roughly 18 months before the release of its successor) was to repurpose pre-manufactured long-wheelbase bodies already slated to be sold by Dodge and Plymouth.[citation needed] To minimize any potential tooling costs of a distinct nameplate, the Town & Country was distinguished from its counterparts with relatively few changes. Initially offered solely in white, black was added as an optional color in June 1989;[6] all versions were produced with a tan interior.[5] Retaining its traditional exterior (simulated) wood trim (from LE-trim Voyagers/Caravans), the model line was styled with a largely monochrome exterior (with body-color bumpers and side mirrors). While the grille was designed specifically for the Town & Country (adopting the Chrysler lettering from the export Voyager), the 15-inch wheels were shared with the Voyager LX (painted white), with the lower body cladding shared with the Caravan ES (slightly extended to compensate for the longer wheelbase). Shared with the New Yorker and Fifth Avenue, the Town & Country received a crystal Chrysler Pentastar hood ornament. The interior was trimmed with leather seats and leather door panels (adopting a more contemporary design than Chrysler sedans[5]), along with upgraded wood trim. In contrast to LE-trim Dodge and Plymouth minivans, the Town & Country was equipped with effectively every feature, including power windows and locks, seven-passenger seating, roof luggage rack, and front and rear air conditioning; the Infinity sound system was shared with the Imperial.[5] In total, Chrysler produced 1,789 examples in 1989 and 3,615 during 1990.[7][better source needed] EnginesWhen launched, the Town & Country was originally fitted with the Mitsubishi-produced 6G72 3.0L V6, producing 142hp; these vehicles were certified as 1989 vehicles by the EPA.[8] For 1990 production, the Chrysler-produced 3.3L V6 replaced it, increasing output to 150hp;[9] this engine was shared with the Dodge Dynasty, Chrysler New Yorker, and Chrysler Imperial. Both engines were paired solely with a 4-speed "Ultradrive" automatic transmission.[10]
Second generation (1991–1995)
 Introduced in November 1990, the second-generation Town & Country minivan adopted the Chrysler AS platform, using the 119-inch wheelbase of the Grand Caravan/Grand Voyager. Sharing only the front doors and side door with its 1990 predecessor, the chassis underwent extensive upgrades. As with the previous generation, the Town & Country was structurally unrelated with the Chrysler K-Cars (discontinued for 1991), but shared powertrain commonality with its AC/AY-platform derivatives (Chrysler New Yorker/Fifth Avenue/Imperial and Dodge Dynasty). In contrast to the Caravan and Voyager, the Town & Country was sold in a single trim level with few distinct options; no short-wheelbase version was offered. In addition to its waterfall grille and crystal Pentastar (similar to the New Yorker), the Town & Country shared its headlights and taillight clusters with the Voyager. In line with the previous generation, the exterior was styled with monochrome paint (including matching side mirrors and body cladding) and model-specific alloy wheels. Moving beyond the limited-production status of previous generation, Chrysler offered a variety of exterior of colors, keeping the woodgrain trim standard. The interior was fitted with standard leather trim (similar to the Chrysler Imperial), woodgrain dashboard/door trim (replacing black trim) and a standard digital instrument cluster (including a tachometer).[11] In a change from the previous generation, the dashboard was fitted with a glovebox. The second row of seats was offered in two configurations; a bench seat was standard, with "Quad Command" second-row bucket seats offered as an option for the Town & Country (and the highest-trim Voyager/Caravan); for 1992, the latter design was made standard.[11] Though Chrysler introduced integrated child safety seats for 1992, the feature was designed only with bench seats, precluding its fitment with the Town & Country. Introduced as an option when the model was launched, the Town & Country (and its Caravan/Voyager counterparts) was the first minivan sold with a driver-side airbag;[12] for 1992, the driver airbag was made standard. Though technically a light truck, the model line adopted 3-point seatbelts for each outboard seating position. Engines
Year-to-year changes
Third generation (1996–2000)
  Introduced at the beginning of 1995, the third-generation Town & Country debuted the all-new Chrysler NS platform, marking the most extensive redesign of the Chrysler minivans since their 1984 release. Adopting cab-forward design to a minivan format, Chrysler sought a design that maximized interior space and visibility.[14] Alongside its Dodge and Plymouth counterparts, the 1996 Town & Country introduced several features to the segment, including a driver-side sliding door, and rear seats mounted on deployable wheels (Easy Out Roller Seats). In a break from tradition, the 1996 Town & Country was no longer offered with simulated woodgrain exterior trim (offered either as an option or as standard since 1965). The hood ornament was deleted; in place of the crystal Pentastar, the model line debuted a grille-mounted Chrysler "blue ribbon" emblem (revived from the mid-1930s). Sharing its bodyshell with the Caravan and Voyager, the Town & Country was styled with a largely monochrome appearance, with chrome limited to body moldings, wheels, and the grille (the only Chrysler NS minivan with a chrome grille). To match the Town & Country against smaller competitors, Chrysler introduced a version of the model line using the standard 113-inch wheelbase (non-"Grand") body. In a major change, the rear liftgate was fitted with an external release handle (unlatched separately from being unlocked) Distinguished primarily by its woodgrain trim, the interior of the Town & Country shared its dashboard with both the Caravan and Voyager; the digital instrument cluster was retired in favor of analog instruments. Car and Driver included the Town & Country on their Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997. In 1999, Chrysler presented a concept minivan, the Pacifica using the Town & Country's body shell and bearing resemblance to the Town & Country and the LHS. TrimFor the third generation of the model line, Chrysler expanded the Town & Country several distinct trim levels. To allow Chrysler to compete against smaller minivans (including the Oldsmobile Silhouette and Mercury Villager), the company introduced a shorter-length version (adopting the body of the Caravan/Voyager, not the Grand Caravan/Grand Voyager). For 1996, the previous-generation Town & Country was designated as the LXi trim, again featuring leather and wood interior trim, 8-way adjustable front seats. A base-trim long-wheelbase was introduced; largely replacing the Plymouth Grand Voyager LE, the model was fitted with cloth trim and standard bench seats (allowing for integrated child safety seats as an option). The short-wheelbase LX trim replaced the Plymouth Voyager LX, featuring the same feature content as the base-trim model. For 1997, the trim range was revised, with the base LWB model becoming the LX and the previous LX renamed the SX (denoting its shorter-wheelbase status). With the exception of engines (SX and LX used a 3.3L V6; a 3.8L V6 for LXi, optional on AWD LX vans), the LX and SX shared optional equipment standardized on the premium LXi.[15] For 1999, the Limited was introduced, becoming the flagship minivan trim above the LXi. In addition to chrome wheels and door handles, the Limited was fitted with a distinct design for a third-row seat (with individual outer seatbacks).[16] EnginesEngines included a 3.3 L gasoline-powered engine (8th VIN digit R), a 3.3 L flexible-fuel 3.3 L engine (8th VIN digit G), and a 3.8 L engine (8th VIN digit L). In Canada, Town & Country models came standard with the 3.8 L V6 and were offered only in long-wheelbase (LWB) versions.
Year-to-year changes1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
Fourth generation (2001–2007)
  The fourth-generation Town & Country went on sale in January 2000 as a 2001 model. It was redesigned using the Chrysler RS platform and initially available only in long-wheelbase (LWB) form.[17] Chrysler's short-wheelbase minivan was marketed using the Voyager nameplate, which had been transferred to the Chrysler line in mid-2000 when the Plymouth brand was discontinued. After 2003, the Voyager nameplate was dropped and the short-wheelbase (SWB) versions were once again part of the Town & Country lineup.[17] Trim levels for 2001 were carried over from the previous generation.[17] They included the entry-level LX, mid-level LXi, and the range-topping Limited. By 2002, extra feature packed eL and eX models were added. These were value-priced versions of the LX and LXi, respectively, that included the most popular option packages.[18] The 2004 model year included a new unnamed base short-wheelbase model. The LX, LXi, and Limited were the Canadian trim levels, but only the LXi and Limited were sold to retail consumers. The lowest level LX was restricted to fleet sales.[citation needed] The 2005 Town & Country received a mid-cycle refresh including revised exterior styling and a mildly restyled interior. The most significant change was the introduction of Stow'n Go, a system of second and third-row seating that folded completely into under-floor compartments. The redesigned 2nd- and 3rd-row seats also meant the elimination of the all-wheel drive system. The Stow'n Go system was prominently featured in this model's marketing campaign. For the remainder of this generation, the Town & Country was available in the short-wheelbase base model, and long-wheelbase LX, Touring, and Limited models.[19] As with the pre-refresh model, only the Touring and Limited were sold to consumers in Canada, the LX being restricted to fleets. A driver's side knee airbag was now standard on all models. The front seat-mounted side airbags of previous years were discontinued in favor of side-curtain airbags for all three rows. These were standard on Limited trim and optional on all other models, however could not be ordered with the moonroof option. Uconnect Bluetooth phone pairing was now available, as well as an overhead rail storage system with three moveable or removable compartments. Engines
Some Town & Country models with the 3.3 L V6 from 1998 to 2003, and all models with the 3.3 L V6 from 2004 to 2007 can use E85 fuel. For more details on these engines see this article. SafetyThe 4th generation Town & Country (Grand Voyager, as it is known in Europe) right hand drive (RHD) version performed very poorly in the Euro NCAP car safety tests and achieved the following ratings:[20]
SecurityThe Grand Voyager was tested by Thatcham's New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) organisation and achieved the following ratings:[22]
Fifth generation (2008–2016)
2008 model yearChrysler debuted the 2008 model year Town & Country went on sale on August 16, 2007, as a 2008 model. The short-wheelbase model was discontinued. The minivans featured styling by Ralph Gilles, a six-speed automatic, a new 4.0 L V6 engine as standard on the Limited model — and a system of second row seats that swiveled to face the third row — marketed as Swivel'n Go seating. A small table, which stored in the bins below the floor, could be positioned between the two rear rows when they were facing each other. Much like its competitors, the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey, the Town & Country now featured power windows on the sliding doors and moved the gear shift from the steering column to the center console, in a higher position. Another new feature of this generation was an available rear overhead console which featured LED map lights as well as halo ambient lighting. A new DVD system was also available, which featured dual screens for the rear passengers. SIRIUS Backseat TV was also offered, which featured three channels of children's programming (Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network). A version of this vehicle is sold in several export markets (Australia/South Africa/Middle East/China/Singapore/Russia) as the Chrysler Grand Voyager. In Continental Europe, it was rebadged as the Lancia Voyager from the 2011 model year and up. Before 2011 it was sold as a Chrysler. Since 1991, the model has been sold in the Philippines under the Town and Country nameplate. In the Philippine market, the powertrain options are identical to those of the European Grand Voyager with a 2.8 L turbodiesel I4 as standard and an optional gasoline V6 (initially the 3.8 L "EGH", later upgraded to the 3.6 L "Pentastar). Both engines were mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Production at the St. Louis plant ended in late 2008 in a bid to save money, but continued at Windsor Assembly in Ontario, Canada.[23][24] Trim LevelsThe Town & Country was offered in many distinct trim levels: The LX, from 2008–2010, served as the "base" Town & Country trim level. Standard features included a 3.3 L V6 engine, a 4-speed automatic transmission, an AM/FM stereo with CD player and a 4-speaker sound system, sixteen-inch (16") black-painted steel wheels with plastic wheel covers, stain-repellent cloth seating surfaces, keyless entry, wood interior trim accents, carpeted floor mats, and Chrysler's Stow 'N' Go fold-in-floor seating system. The trim level, which was discontinued after 2010, was reintroduced for 2015, once again as the "base" Town & Country trim level. For 2015, it included a 3.6 L "Pentastar" VVT V6 engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission, seventeen-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed seating surfaces, a touch-screen sound system, a 6-speaker sound system, power-sliding rear doors and a power tailgate, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, and a security system. The Touring had been the "midrange" Town & Country trim level since 2008. From 2008 to 2010, it added the following equipment to the base LX trim level: a 3.8 L V6 engine, sixteen-inch alloy wheels, an AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player and a 6-speaker sound system, a security system, second-row bucket seats, power-sliding rear doors and a power tailgate, and power second-row windows and third-row vent windows. Since 2011, it has included the following features (it was the "base" trim level from 2011 to 2014): a 3.6 L "Pentastar" VVT V6 engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission, leather-trimmed seating surfaces, a touch-screen sound system, power-sliding rear doors and a power tailgate, power second-row windows and third-row vent windows, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. The S was the "sporty" Town & Country trim level since 2014. It added dark-finished alloy wheels, a darkened front grille, darkened front headlamps, and unique leather-trimmed seating surfaces to the midrange Touring trim level. The Touring L was the "upgraded" Town & Country trim level since 2012. It adds heated front bucket seats, a third-row DVD entertainment system screen, and upgraded eighteen-inch (18") alloy wheels to the midrange Touring trim level. The Limited was the top-of-the-line Town & Country trim level from 2008 to 2014. From 2008 to 2010, it added the following features to the midrange Touring trim level: a 4.0 L V6 engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission, a touch-screen sound system with rear DVD entertainment system, leather-trimmed seating surfaces, a 9-speaker premium 506-watt surround-sound system with external amplifier and subwoofer, and chrome wheels. From 2011 to 2014, it added the following features to the midrange Touring trim level: a 9-speaker premium 506-watt surround-sound system with external amplifier and subwoofer, and upgraded interior trim. In 2015, the Limited Platinum replaced the Limited as the top-of-the-line Town & Country Trim level, and the standard upgraded premium surround-sound system was dropped from the standard equipment list. Also included was the elimination of the front an rear fender chrome bars. Now it just had the mouldings for them. Eventually (2011) they would be removed, streamlining the look of the body. The Limited Platinum has been the top-of-the-line Town & Country trim level since 2015. It adds the following features to the Limited trim level: special alloy wheels, upgraded interior trim, and a 9-speaker premium 506-watt surround-sound system with external amplifier and subwoofer. For 2014, a 30th Anniversary Edition Town & Country was available to celebrate the minivan's 30th anniversary (Chrysler invented the term "minivan" in 1984, and the 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan also received special treatment). It added special alloy wheels, special interior trim, and special '30th Anniversary 1984–2014' emblems to the exterior of the van. For 2016, a 90th Anniversary Edition Town & Country was available to celebrate Chrysler's 90th anniversary (the company was founded in 1926). It added special interior trim and special '90th Anniversary Edition 1926–2016' emblems to the exterior of the van. Engines
Both the 3.8 L and 4.0 L engines were paired with Chrysler's 62TE 6-speed automatic transmission with variable line pressure (VLP) technology (See Ultradrive#62TE). This transmission is standard with the new (2011 on) 3.6 L V6 engine. SafetyIn the NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash testing, the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country achieved a five star (top safety) rating in several categories.[27]
Environmental impactThe 2.8 L CRD 163 hp 6-speed automatic drive train was also tested by EcoTest and was given a rating of 45 out of 100 for environmental friendliness and Volkswagen RoutanBeginning with Generation V, Volkswagen began marketing the Routan, a rebadged variant of the Chrysler RT platform minivan with revised styling and content, for the Canadian, American and Mexican markets. The Routan is manufactured at Windsor Assembly alongside the Grand Caravan, debuted in 2008 at the Chicago Auto Show and with sales beginning in fall 2008, and features neither Chrysler's Stow'n Go nor Swivel'n Go seating systems, but however, features the Easy Out Roller Seats. 2010 recallOn June 3, 2010, Chrysler recalled 284,831 MY 2008 and 2009 Town & Country vehicles due to an improperly routed wiring harness inside the sliding door. A similar recall also affected 15,902 MY 2010 Volkswagen Routan vehicles. 2011 model year2011 Chrysler Town & Country (2010–)_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht,_30._November_2014,_D%C3%BCsseldorf.jpg) _%E2%80%93_Heckansicht,_30._November_2014,_D%C3%BCsseldorf.jpg) The Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country received mid-cycle refreshes for the 2011 model year. Changes included restyled exterior and interior with all-new wing logo, standard SafetyTec (including Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection), improvement to the Stow 'n Go seating and storage system, a one-touch fold down feature for easier access to the third row, a new "super" center console and technology, a dual DVD system that can play different media at the same time, SIRIUS Backseat TV which offers three channels of children's programming, FLO TV featuring 20 channels of live programming, Pentastar V6 (283 hp) engine replacing previous 3.8 L and 3.3 L V6 engines, six-speed automatic transmission, a new fuel economizer mode, a new instrument panel and instrument cluster, new Chrysler Brand steering wheel with integrated controls that allow the driver to operate the radio, cruise control, hands-free phone and other vehicle functions while keeping their hands on the wheel; upgraded cloth and leather seating materials; new "soft-touch" door trim, new heating and cooling control system. Other changes included retuned suspension with a larger front sway bar and new rear sway bar, increased rear roll center height, new spring rates, new steering gear, new front static camber setting, and lowered ride height; extra sound insulation, acoustic glass, new LED ambient lighting and center console, and new fog lights. Canada models arrived in dealerships in the fourth quarter 2010.[30] ProductionThe 2011 Chrysler Town & Country minivan was built at Chrysler Group LLC's Windsor Assembly Plant Windsor, Ontario, Canada starting on October 1, 2010. 2012 changesFor 2012, leather seating and a DVD rear-seat entertainment system were made standard on all Town & Country trim levels.[31] Cloth seating remained optional on the Touring trim in Canada, and standard on the Touring trim in Mexico. In Mexico, the "L" suffix on the Touring-L trim stood for leather. Lancia Voyager (2011–) The Lancia Voyager is a version of Chrysler Town & Country for the European market, as a replacement of Lancia Phedra. Changes include the removal of chrome bodyside molding. The vehicle went on sale in October 2011 across Europe. Early Italy model includes Gold trim level, a choice of two engines (283 hp 3.6L Pentastar petrol, 163 hp 2.8 L diesel), 6-speed automatic transmission, a choice of 4 body colors (Brilliant Black, Carbon Grey, Silver, Stone White), a choice of two interior colors (Black/Grey and Beige), ParkSense assisted parking system with the optional ParkView rear view camera integration, 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, black roof racks, seats upholstered in high-quality leather, audio controls on the steering wheel and gear lever knob, also leather-covered, ESP, 6 airbags, cruise control, fog lights, automatic headlights, active pedestrian protection, automatic three-zone climate control, 6-speaker radio with CD player, U-Connect hands-free system with I-pod/Mp3 system, heated door mirrors, side doors and tailgate with electric control.[32] It remains the Chrysler Grand Voyager in the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Singapore, the Middle East, China and Russia. 2013 model year2013 Chrysler Town & Country updateChanges for the 2013 model year included optional Blu-ray rear seat dual-screen DVD system, sharper-resolution rear-seat DVD screens for all models, a HDMI input for video game systems, two rear-seat USB ports for charging cell phones or MP3 players, standard Trailer Sway Damping, standard power-folding mirrors on Limited and optional on Touring L models, new standard leather seating surfaces on Touring models, a new 17-inch alloy wheel design for Touring L models. Early US models include Chrysler Town & Country Touring, Town & Country Touring L and Town & Country Limited.[33] 2013 Town & Country SThe Town & Country S was unveiled during the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show.[34] The model came equipped with a black chrome grill, a black rear fascia step pad, 'S' model badging, 17-inch aluminum wheels with polished face and black-painted pockets and blacked-out headlight bezels (delayed availability), Black Torino leather seats with an 'S' logo embroidered in the seat backs and black Ballistic cloth seat inserts, grey stitching at seats and door armrests, Piano Black gloss appliques at the instrument panel and on the spokes of the black leather-wrapped steering wheel, Chrysler Winged badge on the wheel matches the black background-look of the exterior badging, a black headliner and upper consoles, black center console and an 'S' logo in the instrument cluster, dual-screen Blu-ray DVD system (HDMI input, two USB recharging ports, a 12 V outlet and a 115 V two-prong outlet), a performance suspension, and a choice of 4 body colors (Brilliant Black, Deep Cherry Red, Stone White or Billet Silver). 2013 Town & Country Tanya Moss editionThis van was a limited (150 units) version of 2013 Chrysler Town & Country for Mexico market, designed in collaboration with Mexican jewelry designer Tanya Moss.[35][36] ProductionThe 2013 Chrysler Town & Country minivan was built at Chrysler Group LLC's Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. 2014 model year Daytime running lamps are now a standard feature on US models. Previously, they were only standard on Canadian and European models; US models required dealer activation. 2014 Chrysler Town & Country 30th Anniversary Edition, Town & Country SThe "30th Anniversary Edition" was a modified version of the Touring-L trim, commemorating 30th anniversary of Chrysler Town & Country. This trim level came equipped with 17-inch aluminum wheels with polished faces and painted satin carbon pockets, '30th Anniversary' badging, Black Alcantara seat inserts with Nappa seat bolsters, Piano Black steering wheel bezels and instrument panel trim, third-row power folding seats, touchscreen radio with 30th Anniversary splash screen, 30th Anniversary logo on the key fob, rear back up camera, choice of 8 body colors (exclusive Granite Crystal Pearl Coat, Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Cashmere Pearl Coat, Deep Cherry Red Pearl Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, True Blue Pearl Coat, Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat).[37][38][39] The Town & Country S was carried over for the 2014 model year, which included a black chrome grille combined with black-background Chrysler Winged badges front and rear, a black rear fascia step pad, 'S' model badging, 17-inch aluminum wheels with polished face and black-painted pockets and blacked-out headlight bezels, Black Torino leather seats with an 'S' logo embroidered in the seat backs, black Ballistic cloth seat inserts, grey stitching; grey stitching at door armrests, piano black gloss appliques on the instrument panel and on the spokes of the black leather-wrapped steering wheel, Chrysler Winged badge on the wheel matches the black background-look of the exterior badging, a black headliner and upper consoles, black center console, an 'S' logo in the instrument cluster, dual-screen Blu-ray system (HDMI input, two USB recharging ports, a 12 V outlet and a 115 V two-prong outlet, wireless headphones), and a performance suspension. The 2014 Chrysler Town & Country was available in eight exterior colors: Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Clear Coat, Bright White Pearl Coat, Cashmere Pearl Coat, Deep Cherry Crystal Pearl Coat, Maximum Steel Pearl Coat, Mocha Java Pearl Coat, True Blue Pearl Coat and Sapphire Crystal Metallic Clear Coat.[40] Production2014 Chrysler Town & Country was built in Chrysler Group LLC's (now FCA US LLC) Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. 2015 model yearFor 2015, the LX model was reintroduced, now nearly identical to the Touring except for the lack of front fog lights and EVIC. Also introduced was a new Premium trim level for the Canadian market, including Alcantara and Nappa Leather faced seats, heated front and 2nd-row seats, and a heated steering wheel as standard equipment. The Limited was succeeded as the highest level trim by the Limited Platinum, which is near identical to the previous Limited save for a few changes. The Limited still continued production, although with a few standard features removed or made optional (such as HID headlamps) due to the Limited Platinum. Production2015 Chrysler Town & Country was built in FCA Canada Inc's Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. 2016 model yearAll 2016 models were a carryover from the 2015 model year. Projector headlamps are now standard across all trim levels in the US except for fleet vehicles; halogen projector headlamps replaced the reflector headlamps used in previous model years, HID headlamps are optional on Touring-L and Limited, and are standard on Limited Platinum. The reflector headlamps are retained on the Dodge Caravan. Last year for the Chrysler Town & Country. Town & Country 90th Anniversary EditionThe 90th Anniversary Edition is a variant of the Touring-L commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Chrysler company, adding several optional features as standard features including heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power sunroof. Distinguishing features are special badging, a 90th Anniversary Edition radio splash screen, and special floor mats. This model went on sale alongside the 200 90th Anniversary Edition, based on the 200 Limited, and 300 90th Anniversary Edition based on the 300 Limited. Production2016 Chrysler Town & Country was built at FCA Canada Inc's Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Total sales
Trim levels1990–1995 models came in a single unnamed trim level, from here on referred to as "base." Current
(these current trim levels exclude Pacifica) Former
Special Edition Trims
Seating innovationChrysler has regularly innovated new seating systems for their minivans, to enhance interior flexibility. Quad commandIntroduced in 1990 for the 1991 model year, Chrysler marketed second-row "captains chairs" as a substitute to the "partial bench" second-row seat. Integrated child safety seatsIn 1991 introduced a second-row bench seat integrating two child booster seats. These seats have continued as an available option through Generation 5. Easy-Out Roller SeatsIn 1995, Chrysler introduced a system of seats to simplify installation, removal, and re-positioning— marketed as Easy-Out Roller Seats. When installed, the seats are latched to floor-mounted strikers. When unlatched, eight rollers lift each seat, allowing it to be rolled fore and aft. Tracks have locator depressions for rollers, thus enabling simple installation. Ergonomic levers at the seatbacks release the floor latches single-handedly without tools and raise the seats onto the rollers in a single motion. Additionally, seatbacks were designed to fold forward. Seat roller tracks are permanently attached to the floor and seat stanchions are aligned, facilitating the longitudinal rolling of the seats. Bench seat stanchions were moved inboard to reduce bending stress in the seat frames, allowing them to be lighter. When configured as two- and three-person benches (available through Generation IV), the Easy Out Roller Seats could be unwieldy. Beginning in 2000, second- and third-row seats became available in a 'quad' configuration — bucket or captain chairs in the second row and a third-row three-person 50/50 split "bench" — with each section weighing under 50 lbs. The Easy-out system remained in use through Generation V — where certain models featured a two-person bench and the under-floor compartments from the Stow'n Go system. The Volkswagen Routan, a rebadged nameplate variant of the Chrysler minivans, used the Easy Out Roller Seats on its second-row seating. These were made available on upper trims the Town and Country after the discontinuation of the Swivel 'n Go seats. Stow'n Go seatingIn 2005, Chrysler introduced a system of second- and third-row seating that folded completely into under-floor compartments — marketed as Stow 'n Go seating and exclusively available on long-wheelbase models. In a development program costing $400 million,[66] engineers used an erector set to initially help visualize the complex interaction of the design[67] and redesigned underfloor components to accommodate the system — including the spare tire well, fuel tank, exhaust system, parking brake cables, rear climate control lines, and the rear suspension.[67] However, the new seating system precluded incorporation of an AWD system, effectively ending that option for the Chrysler minivans. The system in turn creates a combined volume of 12 cubic feet (340 L) of under floor storage when second row seats are deployed. With both rows folded, the vans have a flat load floor and a maximum cargo volume of 160.7 cubic feet (4,550 L).[66][68] The Stow 'n Go system received Popular Science magazine's "Best of What's New" for 2005 award.[69] The Stow 'n Go system was not offered on the (now discontinued) Volkswagen Routan, a rebadged nameplate variant of the Chrysler minivans. The Stow 'n Go seating and storage system in the Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan was improved, revised, and renamed "Super Stow 'n Go" for the 2011 model year. This system is still on the Grand Caravan and was adapted for the new Pacifica. In 2021 Chrysler added an AWD option compatible with Stow 'n Go.[70] Swivel 'n GoChrysler introduced a seating system in 2008, marketed as Swivel'n Go. In the system, the two second-row seats swivel to face the third row. A detachable table can be placed between the second and third-row seats. Swivel'n Go is available with Stow 'n Go seating after 2008 models. The Swivel 'n Go system is offered on the Dodge Caravan, but not the Volkswagen Routan, a rebadged nameplate variant of the Chrysler minivans. These Swivel 'n Go Seats were manufactured by Intier, a division of Magna. The tracks, risers, and swivel mechanisms are assembled by Camslide, a division of Intier. The swivel mechanism was designed by and is produced by Toyo Seat USA Corp. The system is noted for its high strength[citation needed]. The entire load of the seat in the event of a crash is transferred through the swivel mechanism, which is almost twice as strong as the minimum government requirement.[citation needed] The swivel mechanism includes bumpers that stabilize the seat while in the lock position. When rotated the seat comes off these bumpers to allow easy rotation. The seat is not meant to be left in an unlocked position or swiveled with the occupant in it, although this will not damage the swivel mechanism. Swivel 'n Go was dropped from the 2011 line of Chrysler and Dodge minivans due to a lack of consumer interest.[71] Minivan productionChrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans with Stow 'n Go & Swivel 'n Go seats are built in Windsor, Ontario. Two plants have had the task of building the Town & Country, with Saint Louis Assembly building it from 1989 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 minivan plant was closed in October 2008 making Windsor the sole producer of the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan. Taiwanese-market Town & Country minivans were assembled in Yangmei, Taiwan under license by the China Motor Corporation, starting with the 2006 model year. They are based on the European market Chrysler Grand Voyager with the 3.3L engine, with minor changes for the local market including LED taillights and backup cameras.[72] In 2007, production ended and the production line was relocated to China where Soueast continued to assemble it under the Chrysler Grand Voyager and Dodge Grand Caravan nameplates from 2008 until late 2010. From 1991 to 2007 Chrysler Voyager/Grand Voyager cars were assembled in Austria and sold out in Europe and in many other global markets. Since 2008 the European-Version is also produced in Ontario, although diesel engines are still available, and the trim is also different. From the outside the cars look very similar to the North American Town & Country Model, but are sold as the Chrysler Grand Voyager. The Town & Country is also marketed in Mexico, Venezuela, and from 2011 on, in Brazil, as it was previously sold there rebadged as the Chrysler Caravan. Town & Country Plug-in hybrid In September 2008, Chrysler unveiled a plug-in hybrid version of the Town & Country along with similarly engineered 4-door Jeep Wrangler and a purely electric sports car. The Town & Country prototype had an all-electric range of 40-mile (64 km) before gasoline starts.[73] However, in November 2009 Fiat SpA disbanded Chrysler's ENVI electric car division and dropped these models from future product plans.[74] A two-year demonstration program with 25 flexible-fuel plug-in minivans began in April 2012. The first Town and Country were delivered in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Charlotte, North Carolina. The US$26-million demonstration project is partially financed by a US$10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The plug-in hybrid minivans are equipped with an E85-compatible 3.6 L Pentastar engine mated to a front-wheel-drive, with two-mode hybrid transmission. The plug-in hybrid is powered by a liquid-cooled 12.1 KWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a total output of 290 horsepower. The total vehicle range is 700 mi (1,100 km).[75][76] A plug-in hybrid version of the next-generation Chrysler minivan launched in the U.S. in late 2016.[77]
In September 2012 Chrysler temporarily suspended the demonstration program. All 109 Dodge Ram 1500 Plug-in Hybrids and 23 Chrysler Town & Country plug-in hybrids deployed by the program were recalled due to damage sustained by three separate pickup trucks when their 12.9 kWh battery packs overheated. The carmaker plans to upgrade the battery packs with cells that use different lithium-ion chemistry before the vehicles go back on service. Chrysler explained that no one was injured from any of the incidents, and the vehicles were not occupied at the time, nor any of the minivans were involved in any incident, but they were withdrawn as a precaution. The demonstration is a program jointly funded by Chrysler and the U.S. Department of Energy that includes the first-ever factory-produced vehicles capable of reverse power flow. The experimental system would allow fleet operators to use their plug-in hybrids to supply electricity for a building during a power outage, reduce power usage when electric rates are high, or even sell electricity back to their utility company.[78] The company reported that the demonstration fleet had collectively accumulated 1.3 million miles (2.1 million km) before the vehicles were recalled. Chrysler also reported that the plug-in pickups delivered peak average fuel economy of 37.4 mpg‑US (6.29 L/100 km; 44.9 mpg‑imp), while the plug-in hybrid minivans delivered 55.0 mpg‑US (4.28 L/100 km; 66.1 mpg‑imp).[78] References
External links
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chrysler Town & Country (minivan).
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