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Ralph Gilles, father of the 300, Magnum and Charger, is currently working on the new design for Chrysler and Dodge minivans. Could these sketches be a peek at what is to come? Only time will tell.
The top one looks like a Pacifica with a sliding door, and the bottom one looks like a Charger with a sliding door. Why not just make the sliding door an option? (More likely practical for the Pacifica)
Remember.....although the Sienna and Odyssey are considered the 2 best minivans today, it was Dodge ( and now-extinct Plymouth ) that first introduced these vehicles in the fall of 1983, and in spite of the poor quality of Chrysler products of that era basically dominated the minivan market for many years. Ford, GM, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and other manufacturers all tried to compete for years with many different styles and configurations of minivans........some of which were complete flops...... but no one really could compete until the Sienna and second-generation Odyssey came along.
So......a new-generation of Dodge / Chrysler minivans is ALWAYS a force to be reckoned with, especially if they are going to be based on the terrifically-popular 300 sedan.
Yes, the sides look somewhat like the Pacifica (and Mercedes R-Class) ....the back looks like a Magnum, and the front, of course, like a 300.
I doubt, though, that it is actually based on the Pacifica, because the Pacifica was not designed to be a minivan or to seat 3 people abreast....a minivan necessity, especially in the third-row seat. The Pacifica seats six in three rows of two seats each separated by a full-length console down the middle of the vehicle. That setup just wouldn't do in a minivan, where mom has to get up sometimes and step back through the opening behind the front seat to attend to Junior back there strapped in the child seat.
DC owned the minivan market up until a few years ago when Honda and later Toyota entered the contest with a full size minivan capable of carrying 4 X 8 sheets of plywood - the standard measure of haulers. The twins still produce an outstanding product, far out of line with some of their other more conventional automotive offerings. The TC and Caravan have proven practical, reliable and stylish, but until the arrival of the the Honda/Toyota products, they were content with a few minor styling touch-ups. in the past few years. Times may have changed now that they are losing a significant share of the market.
If these examples indicate a new direction for these popular minivans, they are likely to have a hit on their hands once more. REMEMBER these are "artist's conceptions", not a manufactured product. Look for the 26" rims to go away along with the extremly low roofline. Stylists don't have to drive their products, thus the appearance of a 36-inch cabin height would be even less than the Pacifica. I would anticipate a taller, more van-like dimension to offer the carrying capacity of the current model.
DC owned the minivan market up until a few years ago when Honda and later Toyota entered the contest with a full size minivan capable of carrying 4 X 8 sheets of plywood - the standard measure of haulers. .
Remember, though, Lil......it took Honda two tries and Toyota three before either company could come up with a product that would even make a dent in the Chrysler / Dodge minvan sales, much less actually compete. The first U.S.Toyota minivan, produced in the late 80's, was a piece of junk...just like its Nissan and Mitsubishi competitors. The Previa was somewhat of an improvement but overstyled, difficult to service, and still not a true competitor. The Sienna, granted, was a real winner....as was the 2nd-generation Odyssey, once Honda tossed out the troublesome GM-designed electric sliding doors and put decent hardware in them.
I remembered the Previa and the 1 Gen Oddity - but forgot that first unlamented Toyo van. That was a piece of junk rating somewhere between the '57 microbus and the original Ford Econoline. Fortunately, both Toyota and Honda kept trying.