2010 Dodge Caravan?

[King Riffle]

Originally Posted by Bravada

I actually like the 1996 vans the best. The 2005 ones were massively overdone to my taste. The original 1996 T&C was actually rather classy and stylish.



So, coming back to present-day minivans, what do you think?

A. Convert the Routan into a Dodge Caravan, both front and rear
B. Only give the Caravan Routan's front end
C. Make Routan the new Chrysler Voyager, with interior and all, leaving the Caravan with the crude interior and boxy looks
D. Use bits of Routan on both the T&C and Caravan
E. Don't touch the Chrysler minivans, use the Routan's body and interior for Fiat and/or Lancia

Meh, those were okay too. Maybe I've just seen too many rusted, beaten examples of that one.

Option A, please. With the Chrysler TC/Voyager getting an update.

Originally Posted by cyclone

This van is the best of all though,

I respectfully disagree. It's not a bad choice, but unfortunately the quality of the '96+ vans (namely the interior) was rather sad. It's a runner up to the much-superior '95-earlier models.

[cyclone]

Well, I actually think the whole Astro van thing was great.

[jfnz24]

Originally Posted by King Riffle

Meh, those were okay too. Maybe I've just seen too many rusted, beaten examples of that one.

Option A, please. With the Chrysler TC/Voyager getting an update.



I respectfully disagree. It's not a bad choice, but unfortunately the quality of the '96+ vans (namely the interior) was rather sad. It's a runner up to the much-superior '95-earlier models.

By far the best looking of the bunch.

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by Bravada

I disagree on both accounts. If anything, the Scudo's new look is too "futuristic" for the NA market... I think it's the most "forward-looking" of the mid-size LCVs in the market. I would also count the Ford/PSA diesels among the better choices in the market - how are they "pitiful"?

So, in the future the body panels don't seem to fit and they go back to the retro look of having the rails for the sliding doors visible?

As for the engines, come on, they're designed for a compact car half its weight. They might not even get it out of the dealer's lot before they choose to go elsewhere. The 2.0L I-4 would be the most popular option as diesel in passenger vehicle is neither readily available nor well thought of.

Which is why I wouldn't consider it a viable option. If anything, Fiat could consider merging the Chrysler and Sevel Nord minivans and commercial vans the next time around, with production for each respective market on the appropriate side of the Atlantic. This, however, becomes a three-way, as it would require taking PSA on board.

Plan B is dissolving Sevel, which seems unlikely, but it would afford Fiat the freedom to design and manufacture the minivans and commercial vans without PSA assistance (Fiat is reportedly rather unhappy with the quality of PSA components, especially electrics).

Plan C is moving the responsibility for minivans to Chrysler (and leaving PSA alone with the decision whether to build the third-generation Eurovan, rebadge something else or drop out of the market). The commercial vans would still come from Sevel Nord, though, as mentioned above, importing those to North America would not constitute a viable option. So, just like today, Chrysler could fill in the void with converted minivans, like they do today.

I find C most likely.

This might also be an option. The NV2500 might indeed be cheaper than the Sprinter, eliminating its greatest (and perhaps only actual) drawback.

The NV2500 is also a bit wider and has the option of larger cummins engines. Contractors I know like the added height, but think its too narrow (both because of inside narrowness and perceived tip-ability in wind) and a lack of ability to tow anything behind with the tiny 3.0L.

[A.J.]

Here's what I would do if I were Chrysler:

• Don't give the Routan front to either of the vans. Instead, freshen them to be a little more sleek (losing the boxy-ish headlamps).
• Give the Routan rear to the Caravan, but give taillamps a Dodge family look (like the Journey), with no notch on the inner lamp.
• Give the Routan interior (but lesser quality materials) to the Caravan and freshen the TC interior to look more luxurious and less work van (like the central vents, YUCK).
• Give the Routan's suspension, etc upgrades to the TC.

Have I covered everything?

[Bravada]

As for the engines, come on, they're designed for a compact car half its weight. They might not even get it out of the dealer's lot before they choose to go elsewhere. The 2.0L I-4 would be the most popular option as diesel in passenger vehicle is neither readily available nor well thought of.

Those are diesel engines for a light commercial vehicle. They are not supposed to win a drag race or break a speed record. The Mercedes Vito uses a 2.2 with 109-120 HP (and up to 440 Nm at 1800-2400 rpm), so I don't think they Sevel vans are in any way handicapped.

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Those are diesel engines for a light commercial vehicle. They are not supposed to win a drag race or break a speed record. The Mercedes Vito uses a 2.2 with 109-120 HP (and up to 440 Nm at 1800-2400 rpm), so I don't think they Sevel vans are in any way handicapped.

They're not handicapped for the European market where everybody in the country lives in one of three over populated mega cities and these vans never see highway speeds. This isn't the European market and if you try to play by Euro rules, you will fail.

[Bravada]

1. There are ample highways throughout the EU, and the white vans are among the most frequent users of those.

2. As you might know, some areas of Europe, most notable Germany, are known for speed-limit-less highways, and in most countries the highway speed limit is over 65 mph.

3. So, the "highway speeds" the Scudos serve at are probably higher than the Savannas and Econolines.

4. While the American market might not warm to Scudo were it ever to come there, there is no reason to dismiss it as a bad LCV. It is a very good LCV for the market it was designed for. And I do believe it might find its fans in the US as well, given the warm welcome the Transit Connect received, but I do not think this is the safest option Fiatsler has.

[benroethig]

Yeah, its a great LCV for europe, but we're talking about replacing the Caravan/Town and Country with it. Those sell pretty well in the United States and I don't think this vehicle could sell in anywhere near their volume.

I agree that the TC might open some doors, but I think those doors would be more open for a variant of the Doblo or a Dodge branded version of the Nissan NV200.