Minivans -- The People's Choice
04/10/96
NEWS RELEASE MINIVANS -- THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE April 3, 1996 (New York) -- Minivans have taken over the American roadways. These are vehicles of choice for growing families who need room for everything, including people. Visitors to the 1996 New York International Automobile Show at the Jacob Javits Center, April 6-April 14, will see a complete assembly of these great people haulers. Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth Chrysler, the company that started it all, completely redesigned its popular fleet of minivans -- the Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and Chrysler Town & Country. Designers wanted to bring further car-like attributes to the lineup, and the results are a lower, wider, car-like stance. For the luxury Town & Country three models are available: the 119.3-inch wheelbase Town & Country and Town & Country LXi, and the 113.3-inch wheelbase Town & Country LX. All are available in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. A 3.8-liter, 166-horsepower V6 engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission powers the Town & Country LXi, while the Town & Country and LX models are equipped with a 3.3-liter, 158-horsepower V6 matched with a four-speed automatic transmission. Dual air bags and four-wheel anti-lock brakes are standard. Plymouth's minivans also come in short and long wheelbase models -- Voyager and the Grand Voyager. Two trim levels are available: base and SE. Standard engine on the Voyager is a 2.4-liter, double overhead cam, 150 horsepower in-line four, paired with either a three or four-speed automatic transmission. A 3.0-liter V6 is standard on the Grand Voyager, and is optional on the short wheelbase model. Both are front-wheel drive, however Grand Voyagers can also be had with all-wheel-drive. Plymouth is bringing back the Rallye package for the Voyager SE. Dodge's Caravan and long wheelbase Grand Caravan entice the market with five models: base, SE, LE, ES and Sport. Four engines are available including a 2.4-liter, 16-valve, four cylinder, a 3.0-liter V6, a 3.3-liter V6 and a 3.8-liter V6. Mazda Mazda's MPV minivan received bold styling for 1996, a thoroughly revised interior, a fourth door and available four-wheel drive. Its overall length was increased by 7.7 inches to 183.5 inches, while overall width remains the same at 71.9 inches. MPV has a more refined version of its previous 3.0-liter V6, which now produces 155 horsepower. The engine is coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission, and two drivetrain layouts are offered: rear-wheel drive in DX, LX and ES trim and four-wheel drive in LX and ES trim. Dual air bags and ABS are standard. Isuzu Isuzu's new Oasis minivan is powered by a 2.2-liter single overhead cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine that delivers 140 horsepower with the standard four-speed automatic transmission. It offers amenities and ride-quality comparable to passenger cars, and in seconds, the interior can be transformed from a seven passenger configuration to a two-passenger transporter. Two trim levels are available -- S and LS, and both feature car-like doors in front and rear. Ford Upgrades to Ford's front-wheel drive Windstar 3.8-liter V6 engine mean more power. The engine now produces 200 horsepower -- up 45 percent from last year. This engine is standard on the Windstar LX. The Windstar GL gets a 3.0-liter V6 as standard equipment. All Windstars are equipped with dual air bags and ABS. For 1996, the Aerostar van gets an improved automatic transmission as standard equipment. This teams with both the 3.0-liter V6 engine standard on two-wheel drive models and the improved 4.0-liter V6 standard on all-wheel drive models. Chevrolet Chevrolet's Lumina minivan drives into 1996 with a new 3.4-liter V6 engine that delivers 180-horsepower and is matched up with a four-speed automatic transmission. A driver's side air bag, air conditioning and seven passenger seating are all part of the Lumina minivan package. Available options include GM's innovative power sliding door as well as the integrated safety seats for children. The Astro van has a fresher look for 1996, thanks to an all new interior. Features include new seats, instrument panel and door trims. Dual airbags are standard, and rear wheel drive or full-time all-wheel drive is available. The standard powerplant is the Vortec 4.3-liter V6 engine and a standard four-speed automatic transmissions. GMC Last year, GMC's Safari received a facelift, and for 1996, the interior is refurbished. Three trim levels are available: SLX, SLE or SLT. The standard powertrain is the 190-horsepower enhanced 4.3-liter Vortec V6 with a four-speed automatic transmission. Safari is available in either two-wheel or all-wheel drive, and dual air bags are standard. Honda Honda's Odyssey comes in two models -- the LX and EX. Only the equipment levels differ. Both models are powered by a 2.2-liter, 16-valve, single overhead cam, 140-horsepower in-line four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Odyssey features hinged sedan-like four doors, and dual air bags are standard. Mercury Front and rear styling changes give the Mercury Villager a fresh new look. Three models are available -- the GS, LS and sporty Nautica. The front-wheel drive Villager is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine with overhead cam and sequential electronic fuel injection. The 151-horsepower engine is pair with an electronically controlled four-speed overdrive transaxle. Villager now comes equipped with dual air bags, and dual built-in child safety seats are optional. Pontiac The Trans Sport SE minivan gets V6 power as its standard engine for 1996. The new 340 hp, 3.4-liter V6, with the electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission, generates 180-horsepower, a giant leap from the 120 horsepower of Trans Sport's 1995 standard engine. A power sliding door and integrated child seats are options. Nissan Refinements have been made to the 1996 Nissan Quest XE and GXE models, including new front and rear bumper fascias, body side molding, front headlamps and grille. Quest is powered by a 3.0-liter, 151-horsepower V6 engine, and both models are equipped with dual air bags. Toyota Toyota's Previa lineup has a supercharged 161 horsepower, four-cylinder powerplant this year. DX and LE models are available in two-wheel or all-wheel-drive. Previa also has standard dual air bags and optional four-wheel anti-lock brakes.