April 23, 2002

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Preview:
2004 Chrysler Pacifica
by Greg Wilson

Just three months after showing a prototype of the six-passenger Pacifica 'crossover' vehicle at the North American International Auto Show, DaimlerChrysler unveiled a production version at the New York auto show. The wagon-like, all-wheel-drive Pacifica will be built in Windsor, Ontario and is scheduled to go on sale in the spring of 2003.

With DaimlerChrysler's minivan dominance being eroded by an increasing number of minivan competitors, the versatile Pacifica may give the Chrysler Group an edge in the emerging 'crossover' market. It's difficult to tell from photos of the car, but the Pacifica is a fairly large vehicle: it's almost as long as a Dodge Grand Caravan and slightly wider, but two inches lower in height. Still, the Pacifica's roof is more than ten inches taller than a Chrysler Intrepid.

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The Pacifica's tall, wagon-like bodystyle has three rows of seats - two front buckets, two centre row buckets, and a 50/50 split rear bench seat at the rear. That makes it family-friendly - and the rear seatbacks fold down to provide extra cargo space. A bonus is a power rear 'liftgate' which can be opened and closed remotely.

The level of standard equipment will be high - leather upholstered heated seats in the first and second rows, 10-way power driver's seat and 4-way passenger seat, power moonroof, Infinity sound system with six-disc in-dash CD player, dual zone climate control, and a navigation system. The navigation screen is uniquely positioned in the instrument cluster under the speedometer so that the driver doesn't have to look over to the centre console while driving.

Compared to the Grand Caravan, the Pacifica has a lower ride height and a fully independent suspension which promise to provide better handling and a better ride. As well, a rear load levelling suspension will be available. The Pacifica's lower step-in height and four conventional doors should make getting in and out easier than most minivans or SUV's.

The Pacifica will have plenty of power: its 3.5 litre SOHC 24 valve V6 engine and four-speed AutoStick transmission is the same combination used in the 250 horsepower 300M sport sedan. And it's optional full-time four-wheel-drive system will provide the stability and traction needed in our variable Canadian climate. Base models will come with front-wheel-drive and traction control. Standard tires will be Michelin 235/65R-17 inch all-season performance tires.

Other standard features include four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, a tire pressure monitoring system, HID headlamps, side curtain air bags in all three rows, power/memory adjustable pedals, security alarm system, and vehicle immobilizer.

With its high level of standard equipment, the Pacifica is likely to be priced in the $35,000 to $45,000 price range. That may put it out of the reach of the bulk of minivan and SUV buyers who just need a roomy, wagon-like family vehicle without any luxury extras. And the Pacifica will be up against a host of new 'crossover' competitors including the Volkswagen Magellan, Infiniti FX45, Mercedes-Benz Vision, and Volvo XC90.

Production will begin in early 2003 at Chrysler Group's Windsor Assembly Plant where Chrysler's Grand Caravan and Town & Country minivans are built. However, the Pacifica will not be built on the same platform as the minivans and will share only five per cent of its components with the minivans. DaimlerChrysler is investing approximately $460 million in the Windsor plant to build the Pacifica.

DaimlerChrysler has high hopes for the Pacifica. Said Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of the Chrysler Group at the Detroit auto show: "There is no other vehicle like Pacifica in the marketplace. With its low step-in height, first class seating, three rows of seats, and car-like handling, there's no question that the Chrysler Pacifica will redefine the large vehicle market segment much in the same way that Chrysler PT Cruiser revolutionized the small vehicle market."

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Greg Wilson is a Vancouver-based automotive journalist and editor of CanadianDriver