Chrysler Pacifica (RU)
| Chrysler Pacifica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | FCA US LLC (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) |
| Production | 2016–present |
| Model years | 2017–present |
| Assembly | Windsor, Ontario, Canada (Windsor Assembly) |
| Designer | Irina Zavatski,[1] Winnie Cheung[2] (interior) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Luxury Minivan |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | Compact US Wide |
| Related |
Chrysler 200 (UF) Dodge Dart Jeep Cherokee Alfa Romeo Giulietta Fiat Viaggio |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.6 L Pentastar V6 (gasoline) |
| Transmission |
9-speed 948TE automatic CVT automatic (PHEV)[3] |
| Electric range | 33 miles (EPA rated) |
| Plug-in charging | 16-kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 121.6 in (3,089 mm) |
| Length | 203.6 in (5,171 mm) |
| Width | 79.6 in (2,022 mm) |
| Height | 69.9 in (1,775 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor |
Chrysler Town & Country Dodge Grand Caravan |
The Chrysler Pacifica is a luxury minivan being produced by the Chrysler division of FCA US LLC. Although sharing its name with a discontinued crossover, it is an all-new design replacing the Chrysler Town & Country (and the Dodge Grand Caravan, by extension).[4]
The minivan will be produced with two powetrains, a 3.6-liter gasoline powered engine and a plug-in hybrid, marketed as Pacifica Hybrid. The plug-in hybrid version has a 16-kWh Lithium-ion battery capable of delivering an all-electric range of 33 mi (53 km). The gasoline-only version of the Pacifica minivan was scheduled to begin sales by mid-2016, while the plug-in hybrid version will be available for sale by late 2016 or early 2017.[5][6]
History
In June 2013, it was reported that Chrysler was preparing to produce a new generation of its Town & Country minivan at the Windsor Assembly Plant, with production set to begin in 2015 and a release for the 2017 model year. An industry analyst reported that the new version would possibly be a crossover utility vehicle in the vein of the Pacifica.[7]
In 2015, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne announced that it would invest $2 billion in developing a new minivan, and overhauling the Windsor Assembly Plant to facilitate its production.[5] A company roadmap revealed that a new Town & Country would begin production in February 2016 for the 2017 model year, and that the final-generation Dodge Grand Caravan would be maintained in parallel with the new Town & Country as a lower-cost option during the 2017 model year, after which it will be discontinued. Marchionne has been against "duplicate[d] investments" in product development—a strategy reflected by his reduction of badge-engineering between FCA US's domestic marques.[8][9][10] On November 3, 2015, FCA filed to have its trademark registration on the Pacifica brand renewed; FCA's Head of Passenger Car Brands Timothy Kuniskis denied that this was related to any new products, and that it was standard industry practice to continue renewing its trademarks because "you don't want to lose names. Establishing new names is expensive."[10]
The new vehicle debuted on January 11, 2016, at the 2016 North American International Auto Show. Rather than being named as the Town & Country, the new vehicle was branded as the Pacifica. The decision to drop the Town & Country brand was made primarily to distinguish the new vehicle from previous iterations; Director of Chrysler brand product marketing Bruce Velisek explained that the Pacifica was meant to "change the entire paradigm of what people know about minivans in the segment". Among its differences from the previous Town & Country is a new platform, and a design carrying a sportier appearance inspired by crossovers—a market segment that had cannibalized minivan sales—in an effort to disassociate the vehicle from other minivans with a boxier build.[11][12] Chrysler is also changing the minivan's sliding doors: they will be aluminum and hands-free, opening automatically when the fob holder waves under them.[13]
On March 10, 2016, FCA announced that the starting price of the 2017 Pacifica would be $28,595 (USD).[14] This is $1,400 less than the starting price of the 2016 Town & Country. On November 15, 2016, pricing for the Hybrid model was released. The base model called 'Premium' starts at $41,995 (USD) and the high-end 'Platinum' model starts at $44,995 (USD). Because the vehicle has a 16 kWh battery pack, it qualifies for the full $7500 Federal Tax Credit in the USA.[15]
The production of a plug-in hybrid version, which will be the first of its class in the United States, was, according to chief engineer Kevin Mets, meant to create an electric vehicle that could feasibly be a family's "primary vehicle".[6]
Production
Production of the vehicle will be on an all-new platform at the Windsor Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.[16]
Powertrains
The Pacifica utilizes a new revision of the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, and will be produced with two powetrains, gasoline-only and plug-in hybrid, marketed as Pacifica Hybrid. The plug-in hybrid version utilizes a 16-kWh Lithium-ion battery, located under second row seat flooring, with an all-electric range of 33 mi (53 km)[17] before switching back to using the gasoline engine. The battery can be fully recharged in two hours using a 240-volt plug-in system. The gasoline-only version of the Pacifica minivan was scheduled to begin sales by mid-2016, while the plug-in hybrid version will be available for sale by late 2016 or early 2017. Chrysler expected the plug-in hybrid model to achieve a fuel economy of at least 80 miles per gallon equivalent,[5][6][18] but on December 1, 2016, the EPA announced the minivan achieved 84 MPGe.[19]
Safety
| Overall: |  |
| Frontal Driver: | |
| Frontal Passenger: | |
| Side Driver: | |
| Side Passenger: | |
| Side Pole Driver: | |
| Rollover: |  / 11.6% |
| Small overlap front | Good |
| Moderate overlap front | Good |
| Side | Good |
| Roof strength (2015–present models) | Good |
| Head restraints & seats | Good |
Awards
- "Best Minivan of 2016" by Cars.com [22]
Marketing
In April 2016, Chrysler launched a television advertising campaign for the Pacifica entitled "Dad Brand", featuring comedian Jim Gaffigan and his children.[23] In October 2016, Chrysler launched a social media-oriented campaign known as "PacifiKids", featuring videos in which unsuspecting families shopped for the vehicle at a dealership staffed entirely by children.[24]
References
- ↑ Payne, Henry (March 31, 2016). "Chrysler Pacifica designer makes minivans cool again". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ↑ "2017 Chrysler Pacifica Design with Winnie Cheung and Brand Faurote". MSN. January 12, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ↑ "2017 Chrysler Pacifica: New Look, New Name, New Hybrid Powertrain". Automobile Magazine. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
If buyers do plug in and regularly top-up the battery pack, that number is expected to be 80 mpg, with about 30 miles of all-electric driving possible. Instead of the nine-speed automatic, an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission of Chrysler's own design will divvy up power to the front wheels.
- ↑ "Chrysler Pacifica in Mississauga". Cooksville Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- 1 2 3 "2017 Chrysler Pacifica is a 'monumental leap' forward". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
- 1 2 3 "Why Chrysler made the Pacifica Hybrid". Autoblog. AOL. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
- ↑ "Next minivan to launch in 2015 as Chrysler Town and Country: Report". Windsor Star. 2013. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved 2013-09-10.
- ↑ "Marchionne on consolidation: 'Something needs to give'". The Detroit News. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
- ↑ Vellequette, Larry P. (June 22, 2015). "Dodge plans to produce '17 minivan". Automotive News. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
- 1 2 Priddle, Alisa (December 5, 2015). "2017 Chrysler minivan coming; Dodge not leaving yet". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ↑ "2017 Chrysler Pacifica: All-new 'modern family' minivan". The Detroit News. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
- ↑ "2017 Chrysler Pacifica isn't your parents' Town & Country [w/video]". Autoblog. AOL. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
- ↑ "Chrysler unveils all-new minivan at Detroit auto show". www.cbc.ca. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- ↑ "All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Delivers Unprecedented Functionality, Versatility and Technology Starting at $28,595 MSRP". Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ↑ Szostech, Michael. "Chrysler Pacific Hybrid pricing announced, starting at $41,995 US". My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ↑ "As Chrysler redoes the minivan, a look back". bsccomment.com. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
- ↑ Szostech, Michael. "Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Specifications". My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ↑ Valdes-Dapena, Peter. "Chrysler's new minivan of the future". CNNMoney. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ Szostech, Michael. "Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Specifications". My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ↑ "2017 Chrysler Pacifica VAN FWD". Safercar.gov. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
- ↑ "2017 Chrysler Pacifica Top Safety Pick+". Iihs.org. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
- ↑ "All-new Chrysler Pacifica Named "Best Minivan of 2016" in Cars.com "Ultimate Minivan Challenge"". FCA US Media Website. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ↑ "Comedian Jim Gaffigan stars in Chrysler Pacifica ads". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ↑ "Chrysler turns to kids to sell Pacifica minivan". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
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