2007 Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country

The all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country is almost identical to the Dodge Grand Caravan we just posted about. They both seat seven and will feature the same array of engines when they hit dealers in the fall. For those interested in what’s moving your brood, the two minivans will come with a choice of three V-6 engines producing 240, 198 or 177 hp.

Unfortunately, the Town & Country also features the odd shifter placement on the dash, but with the images below we also get a look at a new option: ambient halo lighting. It gives the large cabin a nightlight appearance.

We’ll have more information on the Town & Country on Sunday and, as always, more photos are below.

Comments

This would have been a great opportunity for Chrysler to make some distinction between their minivans, sort of like what GM did with the GMC Acadia/Buick Enclave. Instead, they simply did the traditional rebadging. This is a very poor attempt to revive their minivan lineup.

Is it just me, or don't these new Chrysler minivans look an awful lot like their minivans did pre-1996, i.e., the original shape? The squared up sides and rear look more like the original minivans from the 80s and early 90s.

I agree with ChicagoEd. It's recent retro:) Kinda like watching "I Love The 90's" on VH1. You kind of get the feeling....didn't we just do that?

And they look too much like the current Chevy Uplander. Any hope Chrysler learned how to build a good transmission for these? Cool ceiling lights, though.

Where's the Plymouth Voyager?

I think Chrysler just shot itself in the foot. But cool seat.

I understand that both these chrysler minivans and any minivan for that matter will always be a box, but couldn't they at the very least design the fascia to be destinct for both vans? It's like their buget was cut down and all the mony was pumped to to development for the swivel seats. Yes, we all expect to see a minivan be a box, but it's like couldn't they come up with a new design of a box? The quest for example is great because of it's use of the curved arch that flows in it's side panels. It's just sad, because there's so much more that could've been done, with a segment that will always be a box, and chrysler has failed us in this respect. It frightens me to think that these designers that spend most likely two years of their life's work designing this actually believe this design looks good. You would wish that one of the designers would've steped back and think, hmmm maybe this design isn't a step forward. I see that they focused on the inside this time around and thought to themselves the inside is a minivan selling point; but this is like the current gen malibu all over again. Nobody will give this van a second look. The minivan isn't dead, it's just that no company has had the inspiration to design a new box.

Same comment as the new Caravan, but replaced by Aspen, and Monterey respectively.

The interior's night light looks cool though.

I don't know what you guys want in a van? Do any of you have kids? This to me is a hit. Com pared to the Asian big 3 its way better and from what the critics have said that have seen it up close and driven it its unbelievable. Ya you might say its boxy or what ever but its not a race car.

The seats facing at each others is a TOP HIT, my kids has seen the photos and they love that feature, the table is also a BIG HIT, the kids are exited right now to play on that table.

The 2 TV's are also a HIT, the kids love that too, what they always want is to turn the light at night because of this the ambient lights are also a super HIT.

I love this minivan because it will make my kids SMILE.

I am sure that the design will look a lot better when you see it and with your color of choice ( white ), a blue color mini van is very ugly, I don't know why Chrysler choose that color for the original photos.

Very nice interior and engine. Neglected exterior.

THIS IS A MORE POLISHED UP VAN. THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE IS A STEAL OFF THE NISSAN QUEST AND THE LIGHTING IS NICE FOR A LOOK INTO THE DARK SKIES. STILL IT RESEMBLES THE GRAND CARAVAN BUT WITH THE WOOD IN ITS PANELS. BETTER STANCE OVER PREVIOUS MODEL AND THE MUST HAVE SECOND ROW WINDOWS ARE NOW HERE...FINALLY.

my first impression was EGH! this looks PRE-OWNED already!! minivans aren't supposed to be lookers, but geez don't make it ugly! the interior looks hard and artificial-which is the dodge/chrysler usual. A lightbulb in the back row isn't going to sell me this van, and the rear end isn't working for it either, what a waste of a "redesign" maybe it should be delayed another year...

chris k,

Well, at least don't follow what the Uplander, Montana SV6, Relay, Terraza did. It does not work that way.
Why does it have to be boxy?

I like the old design better than this a lot, because the old ones at least is a smooth design.

Whatever you can say about it no one has driven it yet. The driving experince with tactile control feel will tell the tale as you stack it up against the Japanese benchmarks. Otherwise it has the prerequiste features and content. Crash tests results from the insurance foundation will weigh heavily in my choice to replace the family van.

i would like to say , that im dissapointed that it doesnt come in a 8 passenger option. another thing that i dont know it would have is the rear window sun shades that the honda has built in. i currently own a 2005 town n country limited and was looking for a 8 passenger van for my growing family, but i guess i may have to go with the oddysey.

I love the table feature. It reminds me of my uncle's old chevy conversion van with the table. As someone has stated the over-head concept with the two tv's was stolen from the nissan quest. I know you may not know this, but a part of the swiveling seat idea was stolen from the new 2008 Mazda MPV. So sad that the MPV is not being sold in the USA anymore. If you get a chance, check Mazda's website and you will find a remarkable exterior for a minivan, you will awe, instead of ugh. I too think the 2008 looks like a 1988 version.

WOW!! What a MINIVAN!! When it comes to minivans, the Chrysler Group always designs it first!! It seems some of the other comments here are from people that are jealous of the leader

im not supporting honda or toyota because i believe they make unreliable anti=stylish crap, but this is nothing to praise...a chopped up exterior and a hard cheap plastic interior, its not attractive...there isn't a decent minivan on the road today. I actually liked the uplander though, it did have some flaws, but it was unique, which is what scared everyone away. The only reason it was put down was due to american brand interest, which is sad...

I've seen the '08 Town & Country. WHAT A DIRECT HIT!!! Love the 6-speed transmission. Love the sunshades. Love the 4.0L engine--with remote start--no less. Love the Swivel-N-Sto captains chairs. Love the HID headlights. Love the heated/cooled cupholders. Love the wood & stainless trim. Love the electroluminesent instruments & LED perimeter lighting. LOVE EVERYTHING! Anybody willing to give me $20,ooo for a loaded '06 Oddessy???

I owned a Chrysler Town and Country and two Oldsmobile Silhouettes and own now a Toyota Sienna. I cound not imagine live without a minivan. There is nothing more practical and useful than a minivan. Therefore I am looking forward to see the new Chrysler in reality. The seats are a strike of genius. Yes, the exterior looks old fashioned, but who knows maybe I like it. I at least am excited.

If the swivel can't sto, why not offer an eight passenger too? That's the only reason I'll have to spend more and get an Asian.

where did you see the 2008 model?? I would love to see one.

To gina lopez you got some neves to say that Honda and Toyota don't make reliable, anti=stylish minivans! You need to take a look at the all-new Chrysler Town & Country and the all-new Dodge Grand Caravan minivans they look like a peace of shit and crap to me and to others that agree with me on that. The inside of both of them look's cheap with plastic that's not attractive at all.

The reversable seat....didn't those exist in the Previa?

08 Chrysler Van looks like a big box with a very cheap interior. Am guessing MPG will be horrible, given the box design. Detroit really has to get rid of their designers who are simply taking up space and have been doing so for many years. This honestly looks like a big step backward.

I like this van, one reason is its amazing new look. I also like that thy picked the Chrystler 300 for the front end of the vehicle. It just gives it the touch it needs.I also like the elegantly lavished interior with the 2 screen dvd player in the middle of the vehicle. I thunk the roll down windows add a classy sport look to the vehicle. I also want to say they should add the roll down windows for the people in the back.

the shape box watever stuff dosent matter what matters is that the inside is AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
like i bet everyone with kids is gonna buy this cause its just AMAZING!!!!!!!!!