Chrysler minivans
Chrysler minivans are a series of vehicles manufactured on an automobile platform by Chrysler. In its fifth generation. the platform has evolved from the original S platform to the current RT platform, which have underpinned the Dodge Caravan and its badge engineered variants.
S
| First generation (S) | |
|---|---|
 1987-1990 Dodge Grand Caravan LE V6 | |
| Overview | |
| Model years | 1984-1990 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Minivan Cargo van |
| Body style | 4-door van |
| Platform | Chrysler S platform |
The S platform was a modified variant of the Chrysler K platform usef for the Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country and Plymouth Voyager. Chrysler manufactured the Generation I minivans, internally codenamed T-115 during development from October 1983 until 1990. They were manufactured at Saint Louis Assembly and Windsor Assembly plants. Models include:
- 1984-1990 Dodge Caravan (Grand Caravan from 1987)
- 1984-1988 Dodge Mini Ram Van
- 1989-1990 Dodge Caravan C/V
- 1984-1990 Plymouth Voyager
- 1987–1990 Plymouth Voyagerr
- 1988–1990 the European Chrysler Voyager
- 1990 Chrysler Town & Country
AS
| Second generation (AS) | |
|---|---|
 1994-1995 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE | |
| Overview | |
| Model years | 1991-1995 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Minivan |
| Body style | 4-door van |
| Platform | Chrysler AS platform |
Developed from 1985 to 1989, Generation II was introduced in 1990 and called AS. Design specifications were chosen in 1987 and were evolutionary. This was the last K-based version of the S platform, as the NS platform switched to a new cab forward design.
Models:
- 1991–1995 Chrysler Town & Country
- 1991–1995 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan
- 1991–1995 Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager
- 1991–1995 Chrysler Grand Voyager (Mexico)
- 1993–1995 Chrysler TEVan
ES
The ES platform is the European counterpart to the North American AS platform.
Models:
- 1991–1995 Chrysler Voyager/Grand Voyager (Europe)
NS
| Third generation (NS) | |
|---|---|
 1996-1997 Dodge Grand Caravan ES | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Minivan |
| Body style | 4-door van 5-door van |
| Platform | Chrysler NS platform |
Generation III of the platform was developed from early 1990 to December 26, 1994, being introduced on January 4, 1995 and called NS. Its cab forward design was defined by September 23, 1991 and inspired by the 1992 Chrysler EPIC concept minivan, designed in-house by Julie Dolan in mid-1991. Final exterior designs were development program approved in May 1992 and frozen for scheduled late 1994 production that same month. The first NS prototypes were built in November 1992 and presented on November 24, 1992 to Chrysler executive management. The 1992 "Reinventing Chrysler" documentary, provided footage of the NS design process in the spring of 1992.[1][2][3]
Models:
- 1996–2000 Chrysler Town & Country
- 1996–2000 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan
- 1996–2000 Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager
- 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
- Chrysler Pacifica (1999 concept vehicle)
GS
The Chrysler GS platform is the global export counterpart to the North American Chrysler NS platform.
Model:
- 1996–2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
RS
| Fourth generation (RS) | |
|---|---|
 2007 Dodge Caravan SXT | |
| Overview | |
| Model years | 2001-2007 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Minivan |
| Body style | 4-door van 5-door van 4-door crossover SUV |
| Platform | Chrysler RS platform |
| Related | Chrysler Pacifica |
Generation IV of the platform was introduced on January 10, 2000 and was called RS.
Models:
- 2001–2003 Chrysler Voyager
- 2001–2007 Chrysler Town & Country
- 2001–2007 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan
CS
The CS is a variant of the RS platform made specifically for the Chrysler Pacifica crossover SUV.
Models:
- 2004–2008 Chrysler Pacifica
RG
The Chrysler RG platform is the global export counterpart to the North American Chrysler RS platform.
Model:
- 2001–2007 Chrysler Grand Voyager
RT
| Fifth generation (RT) | |
|---|---|
 2011 Chrysler Town & Country Touring | |
| Overview | |
| Model years | 2008-2017 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Minivan Cargo van |
| Body style | 5-door van |
| Platform | Chrysler RT platform |
Generation V Chrysler minivan was introduced at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show as a 2008 model, based on the new RT platform. It offers a new 4.0 L V6 as its top engine, mated to a six-speed automatic. The short-wheelbase model was dropped, and, as a result, there is no longer a Dodge Caravan, only the Grand Caravan. A version of the Chrysler Town & Country is sold in Europe as the Lancia Voyager and several other export markets as the Chrysler Grand Voyager. In Europe this version is equipped with a standard 2.8 L 4-cyl turbodiesel engine (which is also standard on the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan in the Philippines) and six-speed automatic transmission. For 2011, all the previous engines were dropped and replaced with Chrysler's new 3.6L Pentastar V6.
Models:
- 2008–Present Chrysler Town & Country
- 2008–Present Dodge Grand Caravan
- 2008–Present Chrysler Grand Voyager
- 2011–Present Lancia Voyager
- 2012–2014 Ram C/V (Replaced in 2015 by the Ram ProMaster City)
RM Volkswagen
The Volkswagen Routan was introduced at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show as a rebadged variant of the Chrysler minivans, manufactured at Windsor Assembly using the RT platform, marketed as the RM platform. Marketed by Volkswagen exclusively in the North American market, the Routan features revised interior and exterior styling as well as feature content from the Chrysler vans.
See also
External links
References
- "Generations: Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth Minivans". Edmunds.com. Retrieved January 3, 2006.
- Allpar minivans section - Chrysler Corp. minivan history, each generation, and 2008 rumors/spy shots
- Internet forum (in French) [1] www.minivanchrysler.com