"For 20 years, Popular Science's 'Best of What's New' awards have honored the innovations that make a positive impact on life today and change our views of the future," said Mark Jannot, Editor and Chief – Popular Science Magazine. "PopSci's editors evaluate thousands of products each year to develop this thoughtful list. There's no higher accolade Popular Science can give.”

"We are very honored that Popular Science chose the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan as award winners for 2008,” said Deborah Meyer, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer – Chrysler LLC. “The Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan are leaders in the minivan marketplace because of what they offer. Innovation, functionality, value, safety and useful features are what set the Dodge and Chrysler minivans apart from the others."

As the fifth generation of industry leading minivans, the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan are designed to be “family rooms on wheels,” with each offering something new in safety, fuel economy, functionality and design.

Among the all-new minivans’ 35 new or improved features are:

    * Three distinct seating systems that include the Swivel n’ Go™ seat system, the Stow n’ Go® seating system and a second-row bench seat with fold-in-the-floor third-row seat. Swivel n’ Go™ offers second-row seats that swivel 180 degrees to face the third row with a removable table that installs between the two rows, covered storage bins in the second-row floor, third-row uncovered storage and fold-in-the-floor third-row seating
    * Standard safety equipment, such as advanced multi-stage driver and low-risk deployment air bags, all-row supplemental side-curtain air bags with added rollover protection and an electronic stability program with traction control and brake assist
    * Entertainment features including SIRIUS Backseat TV, featuring three family-friendly channels (Disney Channel, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon Mobile) and a dual DVD entertainment system that allows for different media to be played at the same time
    * Convenience features like the one-touch power third-row folding seat and YES Essentials stain-resistant, odor-resistant and anti-static fabric seats, a premium front console that slides rearward 21 inches and 13 cup or bottle holders
    * A minivan-first, six-speed transaxle available with 3.8-liter and 4.0-liter V-6 engines for smoother shifts, more brisk launches and better acceleration with less engine flare
    * Three engine options, including a 3.3-liter V-6 flex-fuel-capable engine that is mated to a four-speed transaxle and produces 175 hp and 205 lb.-ft of torque, a 3.8-liter V-6 engine mated to a new six-speed automatic transaxle that produces 197 hp and 230 lb.-ft of torque and a new 4.0-liter V-6 engine mated to the new six-speed automatic transaxle that produces 251 hp and 259 lb.-ft of torque


Press release via Chrysler/Dodge