Chrysler Grand Voyager

By Tim Pollard

Motor Shows

07 January 2007 04:15

What's this, the Chrysler Town & Country? I thought you said it was the new Voyager?

It is. Europe's Voyager is called the Chrysler Town & Country in the US, as well as its sister car, the Dodge Grand Caravan. The American duo were unveiled at the Detroit Show in the past few minutes: similar looks disguise an all-new model, with fresh engines and a raft of family-friendly features inside. Chrysler invented the MPV sector back in 1984 and claims it has come up with a heap of similarly revolutionary ideas to keep the big MPV at the top of its game.

True, those slab-sided looks aren't going to win any prizes, but Chrysler has given a lot of thought to how people are actually going to use their people carriers. For instance, there's a dual-DVD player, so the kids in the back can watch cartoons while older passengers can enjoy a classic flick. And there are one-touch fold-down seats - while the fold-flat Stow 'n' Go seating has evolved to include a rotating middle bench; it now revolves to face the third row, creating a very handy picnic or meeting area with a table in between. A hard drive lets families store their digital music, parking cameras are now available and voice activation controls many minor functions. The seats are even stain-proof to survive the rough and tumble of family life. Although we're not sure that'll be covered under the warranty...

By Tim Pollard