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Plymouth Voyager, that original minivan, spawns the Expresso
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- On a roll across Maryland recently in Plymouth's Voyager, a driver had to remind self that the vehicle being steered was actually a minivan, not some easy-to-handle sedan.
At times, Voyager in the short-wheelbase version with stylish Expresso equipment aboard, even behaved like a nimble little sportsmobile.
On Constitution Avenue in a crush of commuters at our nation's capital, Voyager crossed lanes to weave between sluggish traffic with the agility of a roadster.
On an up-ramp to the 7.7-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge leading to Maryland's Eastern Shore, Voyager's V6 engine surged out of a toll gate like a precision touring machine.
On the Beltway girding Washington, it zipped along so smoothly and quietly that driver had to rein it closely to avoid the net of so many speed traps.
Clearly, the uncommon ride quality and ease of handling for Voyager goes against the typical mental picture of what it's like to drive a bulky minivan.
According to those who designed Voyager, that's the big idea with this fourth generational expression: Maintain favored minivan features forged from previous issues, but forgo hassles and make it behave like a conventional car.
Appropriately, perhaps, Voyager is a product of Chrysler, the company that invented the minivan in 1984 and set the sales pace for every subsequent year. Development of the current edition, which debuted as a 1996 model, consumed $2.6 billion and encompassed not only Plymouth's version, but Caravan by Dodge and a luxurious Chrysler's Town & Country. The three differentiate one from the other today by function, content and price points.
Voyager comes together at plants in Windsor, Ontario (Canada) and St. Louis, Mo. It skews toward younger buyers shopping at the economy end of the minivan market.
Voyager's variations include short and long editions, a choice of three engines linked to an automatic transmission, plus seating systems for five or seven occupants and a total of four trims -- two for the shorter Voyager and two more for longer Grand Voyager.
Refinements for 1998 models show up in all trim variations, including an option for anti-lock brakes. The top trim Voyager SE spawns a new Expresso decor package that attaches bold graphics and unique wheelcovers, darkly tinted window glass and upgraded audio equipment with a compact disc player.
All editions incorporate essential design elements which combine to distinguish Voyager in terms of comfort, practicality and performance.
Voyager's design actually began inside the vehicle.
Chrysler's team brought to the minivan its pioneering cab-forward architecture, whereby cabin size increases to generous proportions through the projection of cab over the top of the engine compartment.
The platform's sill remains low to make step-in entry more comparable to a sedan, then the floor slopes up toward the rear in ramplike fashion so rear tiers of seats rise higher than seats in front, which means riders have a better view around the cabin.
A cowling at the base of the windshield drops away to enhance driver's forward visibility, and side glass measures tall in height so occupants end up with panoramic views.
Access to rear seats in Voyager is easy due to the application of a sliding rear door for left as well as right side. When combined with the two front hinged doors, that tallies to four portals for passengers, which turns the minivan into a 4-door vehicle like a sedan.
Chrysler introduced a second rear door with the current design. The slab slides rearward from a broad opening set behind driver's door and resembles the slider on the right side. It permits easy entry for the second-seat right passenger, and allows the driver to access this back area quickly too.
Two rear doors score as the standard for all Voyagers above the base short-wheelbase entry model.
Voyager SE adds a second row bench or bucket seats, with integrated twin child seats optional for the bench.
The third-row bench 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 touches appear -- like rear stereo speakers set on D pillars so cargo won't muffle the sound and struts on the rear hatch so the door lifts easily.
An array of cleverly concealed storage compartments show up in unusual places -- like below seats -- and there are as many as 14 different cupholders positioned throughout Voyager's cabin, including ratchet-locking front holders that grip any size of cup or can.
Voyager's exterior, looking smooth and streamlined, makes the typically boxy minivan package seem less imposing and more friendly.
It's fun to drive too.
A turning radius of less than 40 feet for both Voyager and Grand Voyager permits a driver to move easily in traffic and chart a steady course through that most difficult driving test, the supermarket parking lot. A wide front track produces this tight turning circle and enables Voyager to behave like a car.
Mechanical assets also compare to a car, such as easy-to-turn rack and pinion steering, malleable suspension gear for a smooth ride quality, plus lively powertrain choices.
Base Voyager and Voyager SE, the value-packed short-wheelbase editions, stock Chrysler's twin-cam 2.4-liter in-line 4-cylinder engine which produces 150 hp and fuel economy figures as high as 25 miles per gallon.
Elongated Grand Voyager SE draws from a 3.0-liter V6, also with 150 hp rating.
The V6 may be added optionally to a base short-wheelbase Voyager, by the way.
Then there's an ultimate engine option for Voyager SE and Grand Voyager SE -- a 3.3-liter V6, pumping 158 hp.
An automatic transmission works in all issues.
Pricing for Voyager begins at $18,000, with the base Grand Voyager running around $20,000.
1998 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER MINIVAN
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER Specs |
| Description: |
Compact minivan |
| Model Options: |
Compact minivan |
| Wheelbase: |
Short: 113.3 inches
Long: 119.3 inches |
| Overall Length: |
Short: 186.3 inches
Long: 199.6 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.4-L I4
SOHC 3.0-L V6
OHV 3.3-L V6
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| Transmission: |
2.4/3.0: Auto/3
3.3: Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
2.4-L: 20/25 mpg
3.0-L: 19/24 mpg
3.3-L: 18/24 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 17,995 to $ 25,000 |
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