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Plymouth Voyager, the original minivan, generates new models
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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The crowd of California tourists, collecting in a parking lot, did not concern themselves with the spectacular ocean view or amusements along Monterey's famed Cannery Row.
Instead, they apparently were gathering to examine the new minivan I had driven up the Pacific Coast Highway.
Each seemed to point to the smooth new lines of this minivan, and several peered inside to check out the spacious accommodations which included three tiers of seats for up to seven riders.
Yet the component of this dramatically revamped machine which produced the most animated gestures was located on the driver's side of the vehicle, where the sidewalk spectators had stopped.
"Can you believe it?" One remarked as I approached. "There's a rear door on this side too."
That door, a big slab which slides rearward from a broad opening immediately behind the driver's hinged portal, looks like the slider on the right side of the minivan. It permits easy entry for the second-seat right passenger, and allows the driver to access the area quickly too.
Such a simple addition to the minivan, it would seem, yet from the reaction of parking lot observers it's so radical -- and so desired.
Adding a fourth door means this minivan can function like a family sedan for rear riders. Further, it serves as an overt symbol of dramatic changes which appear with the stunning new design.
Plymouth Voyager, sporting new sheetmetal shapes outside and revamped comfort systems within, emerges this spring to establish yet another benchmark for minivans.
Appropriately, perhaps, it comes from Chrysler, the company that invented the minivan in 1984 and has set the sales pace every year thereafter.
Development of this fourth-generation Voyager consumed $2.6 billion over 32 months and encompasses not only the Plymouth version, but Dodge Caravan and a luxury-lined Chrysler Town & Country. The three, which differentiate by function, content and pricing structure, are being produced in three countries on two continents.
Plymouth's version, Voyager, coming together at plants in Windsor, Ontario (Canada) and St. Louis, Mo., skews toward a younger buyer shopping in the economy market.
Voyager's variations include regular and extended wheelbase editions, a choice of four engines linked to one of two automatic transmissions, plus seating systems for five or seven occupants and a total of five trims -- three for regular-length Voyager and two for longer Grand Voyager.
All editions incorporate essential elements which combine to elevate this minivan into a whole new class for comfort, practicality and performance.
Voyager's design actually begins inside the vehicle.
Chrysler's team applied to the minivan its pioneering cab-forward architecture, whereby cabin size increases through the projection of cab over engine compartment and results in dramatic increases in space for people who ride inside the vehicle.
The platform's sill was dropped 1.5 inches, which makes step-up entry more comparable to a sedan, then the floor was sloped up toward the rear in ramplike fashion so rear tiers of seats stand higher than seats in front, which means riders get a better view.
A front cowling was lowered to enhance the driver's forward visibility, and side glass was enlarged by three inches in height so occupants will have panoramic views.
Rear-seat access improves due to that extra side door, and seating is quite flexible because of new seat systems.
The third-row bench, for instance, which is optional in base Voyager and standard on Grand Voyager, rolls on floor tracks and, with the flick of a switch, unlocks for easy removal, should you need more cargo room.
Throughout the passenger compartment, thoughtful new touches appear -- like revised positions for rear stereo speakers (they're on the D pillar now so cargo won't muffle the sound), easy-use struts to help lift the rear hatch, or revolutionary ratchet-locking cupholders.
Cupholders may be a minute detail, but their function indicates overall comfort level. These holders, with ratchets gripping any size of cup or can, rate in my book as best in the business.
Voyager's new exterior, looking smooth and streamlined, makes the typically boxy minivan package seem less imposing and more friendly.
This one's fun to drive too.
A turning radius of less than 40 feet for both Voyager and Grand Voyager enables a driver to move easily in traffic and chart a course through that most difficult driving test, the supermarket parking lot. Increasing Voyager's front track produced a turning circle dramatically tighter than previous issues and created a minivan that's far more car-like to maneuver and drive.
Voyager's drivability became the biggest surprise, because steering a minivan has never been one of my favorite motoring chores.
But Voyager in its new guise does not behave like other minivans. I found easy-to-use features more typical of a sedan, such as the easy-to-turn rack and pinion steering, a malleable suspension which creates a smooth ride quality, plus lively powertrain choices.
Base Voyager and Voyager SE, the value-packed regular wheelbase editions, stock Chrysler's twin-cam 2.4-liter in-line 4-cylinder engine which produces 150 hp.
Elongated Grand Voyager SE and the all-wheel-drive Grand Voyager begin with one of three V6 engines, the first of which -- a 3.0-liter with 150 hp rating -- becomes an option for the two Voyagers.
A 3.3-liter V6, pumping 158 hp, is an ultimate engine option for Voyager SE. Grand Voyager AWD provides this engine option, but also adds the choice of another with a 166-hp 3.8-liter V6.
All versions carry a number of safety systems, including dual airbags and 4-wheel anti-lock brakes.
Production commenced in April at St. Louis with Grand Voyager SE, priced at 1994's level of $21,500. The Windsor plant, set to build economical Voyager editions, will be operating by summer.
1996 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1996 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER Specs |
| Description: |
Compact minivan |
| Model Options: |
Compact minivan |
| Wheelbase: |
Regular: 113.3 inches
Grand: 119.3 inches |
| Overall Length: |
Regular: 186.3 inches
Grand: 199.6 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.4-L I-4 16v
SOHC 3.0-L V6 12v
OHV 3.3-L V6 12v
OHV 3.8-L V6 12v
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| Transmission: |
2.4/3.0-L: Auto/3/4
3.3/3.8-L: Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
2.4-L: 20/25 mpg
3.0-L: 20/25 mpg
3.3-L: 18/23 mpg
3.8-L: 17/22 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 17,000 to $ 27,000 |
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