Press Kit: 2007 Chrysler Group Product Information, What's New for '07

2007 Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan Cargo Vans Ideal Choice for Small-business and Commercial Needs

Auburn Hills, Mich. August 31, 2006 -

Offering the perfect balance of utility and visibility for small-business and commercial needs, the 2007 Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan cargo vans provide optimum storage, comfort and convenience for business use.

“Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan cargo vans provide business customers a spacious yet compact interior, along with a commercial suspension for heavier cargo, without sacrificing ride quality,” said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global Brand Marketing, Chrysler Group. “Our cargo vans are yet another example of how Chrysler Group continues to set the standard for flexibility and innovation in the minivan segment.”

Designed for commercial use, with the segment’s only Stow ‘n Go® body and tubs, Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan cargo vans provide business customers superior space and durability to handle the most demanding commercial jobs.

“WHAT’S NEW FOR 2007”

Exterior

  • Two new exterior color offerings: Modern Blue Pearl Coat and Marine Blue Pearl Coat
  • Driver- and passenger-side sliding doors with fixed glass now standard

DESIGN

Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President – Design: “As the leader in the minivan segment, Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan cargo vans are designed to meet specialized small-business and commercial customer needs, while offering exceptional occupant protection to ensure a safe and secure driving experience.”

Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van is the long-wheelbase version of the Dodge Caravan cargo van. For both, rear seats are excluded to provide ultimate storage capacity. For increased protection, a tough rubber floor mat covers the cargo area.

ENGINEERING

Steve Jakubiec, Senior Manager – Minivan Vehicle Development: “Packing plenty of comfort and convenience, Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan cargo vans are equally resilient and durable, offering 167.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity, up to 5,700 lbs. GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), and impressive towing capacity of 3,800 lbs."

Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan cargo vans are equipped with a 180-horsepower (134-kW), 3.3-liter V-6 engine delivering 210 lb.-ft. of torque (285 N•m) and mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Hydraulic power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, heavy-duty ride suspension, front anti-roll bar, rear leaf suspension, rear leaf springs, P215/65SR16 tires, and four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes combine to provide enhanced driver comfort.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

  • Designed for commercial use with short- and long-wheelbase versions, the 2007 Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan cargo vans meet small-business and commercial needs
  • Dodge Grand Caravan cargo vans are modified with body and tubs based on Chrysler Group’s patented Stow 'n Go seating and storage system — a segment exclusive
  • For ultimate storage capacity, rear seats are not included in Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan cargo vans. Dual sliding doors and rear-quarter window openings provide the perfect balance of utility and visibility

MODEL LINEUP

2007 Caravan Cargo Van

Standard Equipment

  • 16-inch all-season tires
  • 16-inch wheel cover
  • 3.3-liter V-6 engine
  • Air conditioning
  • Driver’s inflatable knee blocker
  • Four-speed automatic transmission
  • Four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes
  • Front and rear power outlets
  • Front rubber floor covering
  • Rack-and-pinion power steering
  • Rear cargo-area floor covering
  • Rear restraints deleted
  • Rear seat deleted
  • Sunscreen glass

Optional Equipment

  • Commercial wagon suspension
  • Power door locks
  • Power front windows
  • Power heated mirrors
  • Remote keyless entry
  • Roof rack
  • Security alarm
  • Speed control
  • Tilt steering column

2007 Grand Caravan Cargo Van

Standard Equipment

  • 16-inch all-season tires
  • 16-inch wheel cover
  • 3.3-liter V-6 engine
  • Air conditioning
  • Commercial wagon suspension
  • Driver’s inflatable knee blocker
  • Four-speed automatic transmission
  • Four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes
  • Front and rear power outlets
  • Front rubber floor covering
  • Rack-and-pinion power steering
  • Rear bed liner
  • Rear restraints deleted
  • Rear seat deleted
  • Sunscreen glass

Optional Equipment

  • Power door locks
  • Power front windows
  • Power heated mirrors
  • Remote keyless entry
  • Roof rack
  • Security alarm
  • Speed control
  • Tilt steering column

SAFETY & SECURITY
Please refer to the safety glossary for descriptions of the following available features:

  • Advanced Multi-Stage Front Air Bags
  • Anti-Lock Brake System
  • BeltAlert
  • Brake/Park Interlock
  • Constant Force Retractors
  • Crumple Zones
  • Door Alert
  • Driver-Side Inflatable Knee Blocker
  • Energy-Absorbing Steering Column
  • Enhanced Accident Response System
  • Front Crush Sensors
  • Occupant Classification System
  • ParkSense® Rear Back-up System
  • Seat Belt Pretensioners
  • Security Alarm
  • Side-Door Alert Warning
  • Three-Point Lap-Shoulder Belt with Height Adjusters
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System

COLOR AVAILABILITY

  • Bright Silver Clearcoat
  • Brilliant Black Pearlcoat
  • Inferno Red Crystal Pearlcoat
  • Magnesium Pearlcoat
  • Marine Blue Pearlcoat
  • Modern Blue Pearlcoat
  • Stone White

MANUFACTURING INFORMATION

  • 2007 model year production start: July 2006
  • Production location: St. Louis South Assembly Plant in Fenton, Mo.
  • 3.3-liter, five-cylinder CDI turbo diesel engine: Trenton Engine Plant in Trenton, Mich.
  • Four-speed automatic transmission: Kokomo Transmission in Kokomo, Ind.

MARKET POSITION
Designed for commercial use with short- and long-wheelbase versions, Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan cargo vans are an ideal option for small-business and commercial needs. Providing business customers a spacious yet compact interior, its special commercial suspension allows for carrying heavier cargo without sacrificing ride quality.

Demographics / Target Customer

Small-Business Customer:

  • “Mom-and-pop” businesses
  • 10 vehicles or less in fleet
  • Entrepreneur, independent businessperson with hands-on management style
  • Service and delivery vocations (florist, dry cleaner, package/parcel)

Small-Fleet Customer:

  • 10-49 vehicles in fleet
  • Maintains rigid fleet maintenance and repair schedules
  • May work directly with an original equipment manufacturer’s dealer commercial sales staff or with a large-fleet representative for vehicle purchase
  • Service and delivery vocations (postal service, package/parcel)

MARKET ADVANTAGES

  • Long-wheelbase cargo van modified with exclusive Stow 'N Go body and tubs
  • Optimum balance of utility and visibility for small-business and commercial needs
  • Available with short- and long-wheelbase versions
  • Special commercial suspension tuned to accommodate 5,700 lbs. GVWR
  • Dual sliding doors and rear-quarter window openings offer a variety of glass and panel configurations for ideal balance of utility and visibility

PRODUCT CHRONOLOGY

2006 Model Year

Two models offered: Dodge Caravan CV (short wheelbase), and Dodge Grand Caravan CV (long wheelbase)

3.3-liter V-6 engine (180 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm, 210 lb.-ft. torque @ 4,000 rpm) with four-speed automatic transaxle and 2.49 overall top gear

Final drive ratio: 3.3-liter = 3.62

Flex-fuel capable 3.3-liter V-6 engine (fleet offering only)

Power four-wheel disc brakes standard equipment

Four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) standard equipment

Rack and pinion power steering system standard equipment on all models with 17.8:1 overall ratio and turning diameters of 39.4 feet (Grand Caravan) or 37.6 feet (Caravan)

Commercial wagon suspension standard equipment

16-inch steel wheels with wheel cover; full-size spare standard equipment on short-wheelbase models

Heavy-duty Electrical Group offers 160-amp alternator and 600-amp battery

Driver- and passenger-side sliding doors with no glass (standard); no glass on driver side and fixed glass on passenger side (optional); or driver- and passenger-side sliding doors with fixed glass (optional)

Halogen headlamps standard on all models

Dual folding exterior mirrors standard; power dual folding, heated exterior mirrors optional

Grand Caravan CV modified with body and tubs based on Stow ’n Go® seating and storage system

Optional Deluxe Convenience Group offering includes speed control and tilt steering column

Optional Interior Delete Group removes rear quarter trim, C- and D-pillar trim, and rear floor silencers

Advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger air bags with Occupant Classification System (OCS)

Driver-side inflatable knee blocker (inflates in conjunction with air bag deployment)

Sliding Door Open/Light Flash feature activates exterior hazard lamps when sliding doors are opened

BeltAlert enhanced seat belt reminder system for driver and front passenger seat

Loose fuel cap message on instrument cluster

Optional Security Group offers alarm, remote keyless entry, Sentry Key® engine immobilizer, headlamp off time delay and illuminated entry




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