THE redesigned 2001
Chrysler minivans —
the short wheelbase
Dodge Caravan, long
wheelbase Grand
Caravan and Chrysler
Town & Country —
aren’t dramatically dif-
ferent from their prede-
cessors which were last
redesigned in 1996.

The new styling is a little
more angular with a promi-
nent wedge-shaped profile,
but their overall dimensions
are about the same. What
they do offer are refinements
and improvements designed
to make life easier for their
principal users: parents with
young children.

Arsong these improve-
ments are a new power-oper-
ated rear hatchback, split
50/50 removable rear seats,
three-zone automatic climate
control (driver/front passen-
ger/tear passengers), pop-up
rear cargo organizer, and a
removable power centre console. Another new
feature that families will love is an optional
64-inch LCD display with a rear seat video
system and wireless headphones.

And for more peace of mind, all 2002
Chrysler vehicles now come with a five-
year/100,000-km powertrain warranty as well
as the complete three-year /60,000-km war-
ranty, The five-vear powertrain warranty also
includes five years of roadside assistance.

Bigger base engine

The base Caravan model has been discon-
tinued for 2001 and so has the base 150-
horsepower, 3.0-litre, V6 engine. 200)
Caravan SE, Caravan Sport, and Grand
Caravan Sport models have a standard 3.3-
litre, V6 engine with 180 horsepower, up from
158 horsepower last year.

Grand Caravan ES, ES AWD, and Sport

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1600 Mackay Rd
North Vancouver

Licensed Mechanics You Can Trust

AWD models have a standard 3.8-litre, V6
with 215 horsepower, a 20 per cent increase
from last year, making it one of the most pow-
erful engines in its class.

Brakes have been upgraded for 2001, too.
The front brake rotors are now 20 per cent
larger for improved performance and durabili-
ty, and the steering has been improved to pro-
vide better on-centre feel and steering preci-
sion.

Lastly, new Jarger headlamps provide an 80
per cent improvement in lighting performance.

Improved interior design
The redesigned interior features a larger,
protruding central control panel that’s easier
to reach than before. Ali the knobs and switch-
es are bigger, well-marked and are illuminated
in a rather impressive night-time display.
For unknown reasons, the AM/FM/cas-

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sette player at the top of the centre stack is
separated from the CD changer at the bottom
of the stack by a new, industry-first three-zone
(driver/passenger/rear passengers) automatic
climate control system -— which works very
well, by the wav.

The front bucket seats with folding arm-
rests are very comfortable. The driver sits up
high and has excellent outward visibility. Both
front seats in ny Grand Caravan ES tese van
had seat heaters with two temperature settings
— however, | found even the lowest setting to
be too hor after a few minutes.

1 liked the position of the illuminated
power window buttons on the door because

they face the driver and are well-positioned for -

reach. But the column shift lever, when in the

NEWS photo Paul McGrath

AS competitors like the Ford Windstar, Honda Odyssey, and Chevrolet Venture claw away at its once powerful masket position, the redesigned
2001 Caravan and Grand Caravan return with a familiar formula and a few new features. Columnist Greg Wilson liked best the now power lift-
gate. Test drive the Caravans at either Regency Carysler, 1177 Marine Drive, N.V. or Mountview Motors, 1600 Marine Drive, N.V.

Drive position, obscures the volume button of
the radio.

The second row bucker seats in my test van
had fold-flat backrests with a hard plastic back
which acts as a table and includes built-in
cupholders. The second row buckets can also
be tilted forwards for access to the third-row
seat, or they can be removed from the van
altogether.

Third-row seats are now 50/50 split seats
that are individually removable. This means
they are easier to lift out of the van and have
roller wheels so they can be wheeled into the
garage. However, the Grand Caravan does not
offer a “tumble-under” third row seat like the

See Power page 45

Now the concept of owning an
SUV is no longer beyond belief.

It's almost too good to be true. We could hard-
ly wait to share the good news. The 2001
Grand Vitara is now the lowest priced V6

4X4 SUV in Canada’ Almost as excit-

ing, keyless entry, a CD player, ABS
arid power door locks and mirrors
are standard fare.

“Hawed on d Ste ease tate 2P $2 387 POL A trengtt S645
License, ingurance & tanes entra

2004 Grand Vitara V6

$2 89 "48 months OAC

1695 Marine Dr. North Van
» Fewww.suzuki.ca --—— guesssge, GLA

: % urchase financin
(s] a to 36 months 4

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Engineered Beyond Belief