Chrysler introduces eye-catching 2017 Pacifica minivan

Chrysler's next-generation minivan arrives this spring. The Pacifica is roomier, wider and lower than the venerable Town and Country it replaces. Chrysler hopes the aerodynamic shape, as well as the cabin's craftsmanship and bling, will overcome the minivan's "soccer mom" stigma. less Chrysler's next-generation minivan arrives this spring. The Pacifica is roomier, wider and lower than the venerable Town and Country it replaces. Chrysler hopes the aerodynamic shape, as well as the cabin's ... more Photo: Chrysler Photo: Chrysler Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close Chrysler introduces eye-catching 2017 Pacifica minivan 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

Raise your hand (eyebrow?) if you've ever daydreamed about what a minivan would look like if it were designed by Italians - or at least, designers empowered with the creative freedom that produces clean, elegant objects of desire.

Meet the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, the newest minivan from the company that started the whole ball rolling back in 1984 with the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan.

With the Pacifica's introduction this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Chrysler delivered a one-two punch. The jazzy minivan pays respect to its function as a people mover without throwing form under the bus. The other electrifying news was that Chrysler is bringing a plug-in hybrid version to market late this year that should be able to go about 30 miles on battery power alone.

Dropping the venerable Town & Country name was deliberate. Chrysler, now part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), is aiming the Pacifica at customers seeking an upscale product and premium amenities. Though there are no plans for a Dodge twin this time around, there will be an overlap period in which new-car buyers can choose from the current

2016 Dodge Grand Caravan or the 2017 Pacifica, Tim Kuniskis, head of FCA's passenger car brands, told the Chronicle this week.

CHECK CAR PRICES:

There will be six trim levels, starting with the LX on up to the Limited Platinum. Chrysler wasn't ready to reveal prices, but if we guesstimate MSRPs will start at about $36,000. The gasoline-powered Pacifica isn't expected to reach showrooms until March, but here are some key highlights.

Styling

The Pacifica's faster-looking profile isn't just window dressing. The more slanted glass, grille shutters, integrated rear spoiler and other aerodynamic techniques help bring the coefficient of drag down to 0.300, an impressive feat and a 5 percent improvement over the 2016 Town & Country.

Deep-tinted glass is standard across the range but it's also cleverly used. Look at the photos and you won't find the track for the sliding rear doors. The track line is kept hidden under the rear-quarter side glass.

The wheelbase is longer with the rear wheels moved back while the grille and taillights emphasize width for a more aggressive, planted look. (And that's not just visual trickery. The front track has been widened to 68.3 inches, a 3.2-inch increase. The rear track of the

2017 Pacifica is 3.5 inches farther apart at 68.3 inches.

There's plenty of bling and 20-inch wheels can be had for the first time, though 17- and 18-inch wheel and tires will prevail.

Hardware

The Pacifica will be powered by FCA's ubiquitous Pentastar 3.6-liter V6, but the 2017 minivan's has modifications aimed toward improved fuel efficiency. Chrysler hasn't released EPA estimates but the Town & Country's thirstiness for gas has been slammed by reviewers like Consumer Reports. The longer intake runners, integrated exhaust headers, cooled exhaust gas recirculation, a higher compression ratio (up a point, to 11.3:1) and nine-speed automatic transmission should pay off in better EPA numbers than the outgoing minivan's 17 mpg city and 25 highway ratings.

The plug-in hybrid will also use the 3.6-liter V6, but the Pentastar will have 12.5:1 compression and utilize the Atkinson cycle like many other hybrids to deliver a total of about 248 horsepower. The Pacifica hybrid will have an electrically variable transmission.

The charging port is in the driver's front fender and Chrysler claims the 16 kWh lithium-ion battery, which is under the floor of the second row, can be fully charged in as little as two hours when using a 240-volt charger. Given the decision to produce the first hybrid minivan, it's a bit puzzling that there will be no all-wheel-drive Pacifica - at least for now.

The Pacifica sits a half-inch lower and has independent front and rear suspension. Brakes are 13-inch discs at each corner.

Cabin

The interior of the 2017 Pacifica is a contrast of high-tech and modern and soft sculpting and includes stitching, piano black accents and touch gear that emulates high-end audio components. Like a lounge, "every row has a nice view," said Winnie Cheung, Chrysler interior design chief, at a preview for journalists in December. Cheung added that her team aimed for a handcrafted look with color palettes that were inspired by nature and destinations like Sonoma County in California and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

All Pacifica grades will come standard with Chrysler's signature Stow 'n Go seating/storage system where the second and third row seats fold down and into the floor, leaving a flat load surface. Available in seven- or eight-passenger configurations, the available center seat for the second row doubles as a large passenger console when not needed for passengers.

Speaking of occupants, there's generally more room for people and stuff as the specifications below demonstrate. (Dimensions are inches unless otherwise noted, followed by the space gained over the Pacifica's predecessor.)

Front-row headroom: 40.1 (0.3)

Front-row legroom: 41.1 (0.4)

Second-row headroom: 39.6 (0.3)

Second-row legroom: 39.0 (2.5)

Second-row minimum knee clearance: 4.7 (1.5)

Third-row headroom: 38.7 (0.8)

Third-row legroom: 36.5 (3.8)

Third-row minimum-knee clearance: 3.5 (0.6)

Cargo space (cu.-ft.)

Behind third row: 32.3 (2.2)

Behind second row: 87.5 (8.6)

Goodies like a three-pane panoramic sunroof, power and/or hands-free liftgate, dual 10-inch video screens and 20-speaker, 760-watt infotainment systems are either standard on the higher trim levels or available with extra-cost packages.

Safety and Security

Backup camera, remote keyless entry, hill-start assist, automatic power door locks and sliding door warning are standard. Available or standard on higher trim levels are LED fog lamps, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, parking assist with stop, forward control collision warning and lane departure alert.

With minivan sales expected to reach 500,000 in 2020 and far fewer brands being offered, recommitting to the minivan segment "is good business," said Kuniskis, the Chrysler executive.

Mike Quincy, a Consumer Reports auto specialist, liked what he saw.

"The new Pacifica certainly looks promising," Quincy said. "It's very stylish. There's lots of room inside and there are a lot of kid-friendly features.

"I'm a huge fan of minivans. They are the most amazing family vehicles ever invented. A lot of times a minivan makes a lot more sense than an SUV. They have a better ride, better braking performance and better fuel economy," Quincy said.

"The trick is, can Chrysler make the minivan cool? Can Chrysler get away from the mommy-mobile stigma of minivans?"

For more information, visit www.chrysler.com/pacifica/