2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan @ 2007 NAIAS

NYCshopper · 01-03-2007, 02:45 PM

2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan @ 2007 NAIAS

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/03/d...ad-of-detroit/

Quote:

Truth be told, we kind of feel bad for DaimlerChrysler that these two shots showing the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan popped up on a Spanish forum early this morning. We've known about it all morning, but considering how important these vans are to DCX, we weren't interested in being the first ones to distribute them to the masses and draw the ire of a very angry Chrysler Group. But, these pics are quickly popping up all over, and we feel we're in the clear showing them to you now. No more information about the vans is available, so let's just talk about the styling. What do you think?

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

BigElm · 01-03-2007, 02:49 PM

The styling??? DCX should be upset; but not because these pics leaked but because it sux!

I don't see how these 'minivans' are going to sell when you have better looking ones like the Odyssey and Sienna in the mix. Plus the potential ones that are looking very good in the next year or two.

The rear says too much Sedona, Trailblazer and Tahoe.

Hazdaz · 01-03-2007, 03:00 PM

Wow, talk about playing it safe - and thus bland - with the styling.

But lets be honest here, these are minivans - they aren't meant to sell based on looks (even though looks can help). They sell because of utility, function and all that other stuff. Hopefully Chrysler didn't fubar on that.

TCENGEL · 01-03-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigElm

I don't see how these 'minivans' are going to sell when you have better looking ones like the Odyssey and Sienna in the mix. Plus the potential ones that are looking very good in the next year or two.

Try pricing out an Odyssey or Sienna... The Caravans are a much cheaper option.

SoDealer · 01-03-2007, 03:18 PM

the blockiness is very reminiscent of the old school Chrysler/Dodge minivans.

Beaverboy · 01-03-2007, 03:22 PM

^agreed. Needs vinyl wood grain to complete the effect.

KeithvH · 01-03-2007, 03:41 PM

Bland was my first thought as well. Sort of a step backwards if you ask me. On the other hand, I don't find it UGLY by any means...as in AZTEK sort of ugly. I suppose the market is conservative so the looks should be conservative. But I wonder if they overdid it?

Geese1 · 01-03-2007, 04:47 PM

*yawn*

Unless these have an absolutely stunning interior, or some fantastic powertrain, I give these two months tops before DCX has to start piling on the incentives...

BigElm · 01-03-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCENGEL

Try pricing out an Odyssey or Sienna... The Caravans are a much cheaper option.

Yes, but you're talking about Honda and Toyota. I'm talking about styling. The price doesn't justify the design...

rsholland · 01-03-2007, 05:46 PM

Autoblog was asked to take those images down. I've also inquired as to whether I could post them on Straightline, and was told not yet.

Bob

Chromer · 01-03-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beaverboy

^agreed. Needs vinyl wood grain to complete the effect.

And a nearly bulletproof (except the heads) turbo 2.5 hidden inside...

NYCshopper · 01-04-2007, 09:20 AM

NYCshopper · 01-04-2007, 10:18 AM

Achilles38WRX · 01-04-2007, 11:26 AM

Puts my parents old 1985 Caravan to shame!

(yes, it was maroon with faux wood paneling)

mhoward1 · 01-04-2007, 11:30 AM

Looks like they did a good job on the interior

VWGrk1 · 01-04-2007, 12:06 PM

The interior is pretty nice, despite a frumpy exterior. Looks like they tried too hard to make it an SUV/Minivan hybrid. Then again, I'd wager that very few of us are in the target market for this type of vehicle, so I take our opinions (my own as well) with a grain of salt.

Perhaps the intended buyer is more interested in price/feature content.

STFU STi · 01-04-2007, 12:11 PM

+1 very GM-esque..

looks like the mini-vans GM was producing, say 5 years ago..

which is really bad.

Hazdaz · 01-04-2007, 12:39 PM

Looks like most of the effort was put into the interior - which is a smart thing since for a mini-van that is probably the most important area.

Now it looks nice - and quite innovative, but I hope it is well made too.

I also really hope that they differenciated the Chrysler and Dodge versions by more than just a different grill.

hondahata · 01-04-2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0000-09-0233

+1 very GM-esque..

looks like the mini-vans GM was producing, say 5 years ago..

which is really bad.

Dead on! If that isn't a Venture/Montana (especially from the rear), I don't know what is. Looks almost like they tried ther best to integrate some styling cues from the Caliber. I would guarantee that thing is every bit of 40K with all those options. And yes they will offer incentives out the wahzoo; they were doing that when it was the #1 selling minivan. And yes, people will buy it.

BigElm · 01-04-2007, 01:32 PM

Interior is a step up but goodness, alittle effort on the exterior would've been nice though.

TCENGEL · 01-04-2007, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigElm

Interior is a step up but goodness, alittle effort on the exterior would've been nice though.

There's only so much that can be done to a minivan. Look at the Nissan Quest. They tried to spruce up the minivan look and it's ugly as sin.

Remember, for those looking for a more sexy look outside, there is the Pacifica.

BigElm · 01-04-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCENGEL

Remember, for those looking for a more sexy look outside, there is the Pacifica.

Thanks for the laugh

TCENGEL · 01-04-2007, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigElm

Thanks for the laugh

Not my cup of tea either, but I'd take it over any minivan.

mhoward1 · 01-04-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCENGEL

There's only so much that can be done to a minivan. Look at the Nissan Quest. They tried to spruce up the minivan look and it's ugly as sin.

Remember, for those looking for a more sexy look outside, there is the Pacifica.

Renault has made good looking Minivans in the past. Maybe they can colaborate.

TCENGEL · 01-04-2007, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mh_WRX

Renault has made good looking Minivans in the past. Maybe they can colaborate.

Yeah, but crash ratings and lazy fat american standards create different needs.

01-03-2007, 02:49 PM	#2
BigElm Always under your radar! Moderator Member#: 1568 Join Date: May 2000 Location: Hawtlanta!!!	The styling??? DCX should be upset; but not because these pics leaked but because it sux! I don't see how these 'minivans' are going to sell when you have better looking ones like the Odyssey and Sienna in the mix. Plus the potential ones that are looking very good in the next year or two. The rear says too much Sedona, Trailblazer and Tahoe. Last edited by BigElm; 01-03-2007 at 03:01 PM.

01-03-2007, 05:46 PM	#10
rsholland Scooby Specialist Member#: 5769 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Ellicott City, MD, USA Vehicle: '09 WRX Prem 5-dr Dark Gray	Embargoed images Autoblog was asked to take those images down. I've also inquired as to whether I could post them on Straightline, and was told not yet. Bob

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01-03-2007, 03:00 PM	#3
Hazdaz Scooby Guru Member#: 14611 Join Date: Jan 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: The Nutmeg state Vehicle: 2002 WRX Silver	Wow, talk about playing it safe - and thus bland - with the styling. But lets be honest here, these are minivans - they aren't meant to sell based on looks (even though looks can help). They sell because of utility, function and all that other stuff. Hopefully Chrysler didn't fubar on that.

01-03-2007, 03:18 PM	#5
SoDealer Scooby Specialist Member#: 67960 Join Date: Aug 2004	the blockiness is very reminiscent of the old school Chrysler/Dodge minivans.

01-03-2007, 03:22 PM	#6
Beaverboy Scooby Guru Member#: 44501 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: W. NC Vehicle: '16 Nissan 510 Brown	^agreed. Needs vinyl wood grain to complete the effect.

01-03-2007, 03:41 PM	#7
KeithvH Scooby Newbie Member#: 37273 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Wisconsin Vehicle: 2003 Legacy SE Wagon minty-fresh green	Bland was my first thought as well. Sort of a step backwards if you ask me. On the other hand, I don't find it UGLY by any means...as in AZTEK sort of ugly. I suppose the market is conservative so the looks should be conservative. But I wonder if they overdid it?

01-03-2007, 04:47 PM	#8
Geese1 Scooby Newbie Member#: 41511 Join Date: Aug 2003 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Northwestern PA Vehicle: '06 Evo IX MR Wicked White	yawn Unless these have an absolutely stunning interior, or some fantastic powertrain, I give these two months tops before DCX has to start piling on the incentives...

01-04-2007, 09:20 AM	#12
NYCshopper Scooby Guru Member#: 5126 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: www.nugateway.com

01-04-2007, 10:18 AM	#13
NYCshopper Scooby Guru Member#: 5126 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: www.nugateway.com

01-04-2007, 11:26 AM	#14
Achilles38WRX Scooby Guru Member#: 4419 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Carol Stream, IL Vehicle: 2002 S2K - 2003 FXS i don't have a wrx	Puts my parents old 1985 Caravan to shame! (yes, it was maroon with faux wood paneling)

01-04-2007, 11:30 AM	#15
mhoward1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 9481 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Want to drive on a racetrack? Vehicle: just PM me for more	Looks like they did a good job on the interior

01-04-2007, 12:06 PM	#16
VWGrk1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 57882 Join Date: Mar 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Chicago Vehicle: 2004 WRX WRB	The interior is pretty nice, despite a frumpy exterior. Looks like they tried too hard to make it an SUV/Minivan hybrid. Then again, I'd wager that very few of us are in the target market for this type of vehicle, so I take our opinions (my own as well) with a grain of salt. Perhaps the intended buyer is more interested in price/feature content.

01-04-2007, 12:11 PM	#17
STFU STi Scooby Specialist Member#: 39528 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Fort Wayne-ish Vehicle: 2005 STi Black and TiC Cows	+1 very GM-esque.. looks like the mini-vans GM was producing, say 5 years ago.. which is really bad.

01-04-2007, 12:39 PM	#18
Hazdaz Scooby Guru Member#: 14611 Join Date: Jan 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: The Nutmeg state Vehicle: 2002 WRX Silver	Looks like most of the effort was put into the interior - which is a smart thing since for a mini-van that is probably the most important area. Now it looks nice - and quite innovative, but I hope it is well made too. I also really hope that they differenciated the Chrysler and Dodge versions by more than just a different grill.

01-04-2007, 01:32 PM	#20
BigElm Always under your radar! Moderator Member#: 1568 Join Date: May 2000 Location: Hawtlanta!!!	Interior is a step up but goodness, alittle effort on the exterior would've been nice though.