Fortunately for Chief Graham there was a lighter side to his trip which began when Chrysler's local PR representative handed over the keys to a fully loaded - and I'm not
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| The Inferno Red 2004 Chrysler Pacifica came with a number of features that made the long trip a lot more comfortable. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
talking pistol - Inferno Red
2004 Chrysler Pacifica. A few minutes were needed in order to get acquainted with the vehicle's many features, beginning with a demonstration of the power liftgate, standard on the "R" model. Next were instructions on how to optimize the first class leather seating arrangement to best suit the Chief's specific traveling arrangements, beginning with the third row split bench which folds flat to produce a commodious cargo area behind the second row captain chairs. The second row chairs are heated and separated by an extension of the center console, providing second row occupants with a storage bin, cup holders and their own fan speed control for the rear ducts. When the second row is also folded flat, and folding parcel shelf attached to the rear of the driver's side seatback dropped into place, an immense, flat floor cargo area materializes. With Chief Graham and his real-life boss onboard, only the front seats would be required to support derrieres en-route
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| The Pacifica is a vehicle the really blurs the lines between minivans, SUVs and wagons. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
to Sun Valley, lest the Chief should decide to pick up a hitchhiker or two, in which case he could comfortably accommodate up to four thumb-dependent travelers in the vacant perches. Regardless of human density, the Pacifica is a wonderful automotive environment in which to take in the rugged scenery of British Columbia, Canada and the US states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Described by Chrysler as a "destination that's well beyond the SUV," the Pacifica crosses over several traditional automotive lines of segmentation by incorporating the virtues of an SUV with those of a minivan cum car based wagon. Although the Chief piloted a front wheel drive model, an all-wheel drive variant would have been made available if the trek would have been attempted mid-winter.
