Space and Practicality Without the SUV or Minivan StigmaNeeded: seating for six, boundless practicality, sporty styling, luxurious comfort. Not needed: minivan stigma,
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| The Chrysler Pacifica: all the practicality, without the minivan stigma or SUV vulgarity. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
SUV vulgarity, breadbox styling, tractor-trailer handling, 4-wheel drive off-road capability. Answer: Chrysler Pacifica. Yes, there is a place in the automotive world for another genre of vehicle - Sport Tourer, which according to Chrysler represents premium automotive transportation. Chrysler Group, known since its merger with Mercedes-Benz as DaimlerChrysler Inc., has a rich history of innovative technology and style, often setting the automotive world afire. Over the past few decades the North American automaker ignited the minivan craze with its Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager one-two punch and contributed heavily to the current automotive retro-theme with the birth of the Plymouth Prowler and PT Cruiser. And just to ensure the category of racing performance was also sufficiently ablaze, Chrysler Group produced the venomous Dodge Viper - a V10-powered monster
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| Chrysler's desire to be an industry leader led to the introduction of the genre-bending Pacifica last year. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
that can be taken directly from the showroom to the podium. And most recently Chrysler launched the sinister-looking Hemi-powered Chrysler 300C, a rear-wheel (and soon optional all-wheel drive) 4-door luxury sedan, and sporty Crossfire coupe and convertible. In addition to the notable rides mentioned, Chrysler's desire to be an industry leader also led to the introduction of the Pacifica in August of last year. Although this "Sport Tourer" isn't considered an SUV, with the exception of its height its exterior bulk rivals many mid- to large-size SUVs. In fact the Pacifica matches the Cadillac Escalade in just about every exterior dimension except height. Both vehicles share identical lengths of 5,052 cm (198.9 in) and are so similar in width that a good carpenter would have to measure twice to be sure of the difference.
