Chrysler’s family of minivans first rolled out in 1983 as 1984 models. To celebrate the Silver Anniversary of these iconic people haulers, Chrysler is rolling out two very special edition models to mark the occasion.
If you had choose one vehicle from Chrysler produced over the past twenty five years that best represents the automaker which one would you choose? Jeep Wrangler? Dodge Ram? Chrysler 300? Something else?
Personally, I would choose the company’s fleet of minivans which have been sold under Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth (RIP) brands since first launched in 1984. These vehicles launched an entirely new segment of cars, people haulers that were compact, fuel efficient and reasonably priced.
Minivans Usurp Station Wagons As Family Car Fav
If anything, credit the minivan with putting to death the American station wagon, itself the favorite people hauler of the post-WWII generation.
Chrysler LLC is marking the 25th anniversary of its bread and butter vehicles by rolling out special-edition 2009 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition minivans offering what they say are premium interior features, unique exterior accents and new exterior paint colors.
Since Chrysler began its minivan development more than 25 years ago, no competitor has innovated as many minivan-first features as Chrysler and Dodge minivans,” said Mike Accavitti, Director–Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Brands, Chrysler LLC.
“With numerous minivan segment-exclusive features like Stow `n Go seating and storage, dual-DVD entertainment system and an unsurpassed fuel economy rating, it is no surprise that 2009 Chrysler and Dodge minivans together command more than 40 percent of the U.S. minivan market.
Concerning the special edition models Chrysler has this to say about them:
2009 Chrysler Town & Country 25th Anniversary Edition
The 2009 Chrysler Town & Country 25th Anniversary Edition minivans feature a 3.8-liter V-6 engine and fluid six-speed automatic transmission. In addition, this special-edition Chrysler Town & Country features an even more luxurious interior.
New interior combinations in Dark Slate Gray and Light Shale are paired with Dark Maple Burl trim and satin finishes on the instrument panel and doors to provide added detail. New monotone Dark Slate Gray or Light Shale seats feature perforated leather and are finished with French-seamed seat stitching.
Additional standard features include the minivan-first Stow `n Go seating and storage system, UConnect tunes, minivan-first second- and third-row nine-inch dual-DVD entertainment system, LED lighting with ambient halo light ring, heated first- and second-row seating and UConnect tunes.
Exterior equipment on the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country 25th Anniversary Edition includes the availability of all-new Mineral Gray Metallic exterior paint, unique nine-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels with Mineral Gray Metallic painted pockets, chrome belt and body-side moldings, roof rack with cross bars and “25th Anniversary Edition” badging.
Available features on this special-edition 2009 Chrysler Town & Country include segment-exclusive UConnect studios SIRIUS Backseat TV with Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network Mobile, UConnect gps, all-new Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Path (RCP) accident-avoidance systems and the 4.0-liter aluminum V-6 engine that achieves a minivan-best fuel economy label of 17 city / 25 highway mpg.
2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition
The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition minivans feature a fluid six-speed automatic transmission and powerful 4.0-liter aluminum V-6 engine with a minivan-best fuel economy label of 17 city / 25 highway mpg as standard equipment.
Inside, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition adds even more enhancements to the contemporary Dodge interior. Dark Slate Gray or Light Shale interior combinations complement the sporty interior of the Dodge brand’s fifth-generation minivan.
A unique combination of Blackwood on the instrument panel and doors accent satin finishes and provide a sense of added detail. An updated instrument panel includes a new Dodge-specific four-gauge cluster, additional satin finishes and a glove box with Blackwood trim.
New monotone Dark Slate Gray or Light Shale seats feature perforated leather with French-seamed seat stitching. Additional standard features include minivan-first Stow `n Go seating and storage system, heated first- and second-row seating, UConnect studios SIRIUS Satellite Radio and LED lighting with ambient halo light ring.
Additional available equipment on the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition includes the availability of all-new Mineral Gray Metallic exterior paint, new sport-tuned suspension with unique five-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels featuring Mineral Gray painted pockets, chrome belt moldings, fog lamps, roof rack with cross bars and “25th Anniversary Edition” badging.
Some of the available features on this special-edition 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan include minivan-first second- and third-row nine-inch dual-DVD entertainment system, UConnect studios SIRIUS Backseat TV with Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network Mobile, UConnect gps, all-new BSM and RCP accident-avoidance systems.
See Also – List of Best Midsize Sedans for 2012
Source: Chrysler LLC
Matt is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a contributor to various print and online media sources including NAPA, CarsDirect, CapitalOne, and Driven Autos.
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