| One look at Volkswagen's new Routan minivan | | | | German automaker to tap existing technology, |
| and you'll think that you've seen this vehicle | | | | thereby saving the company money while allowing |
| before. You have. | | | | Chrysler to keep its own production levels up. |
| In a bid to fill a glaring void in the German | | | | The Routan comes standard with a 3.8L V6, |
| automaker's line up, Volkswagen turned to | | | | offering 197 hp and 230 lbs-ft. of torque. A 4.0L |
| Chrysler to supply their newest model, a seven | | | | V6 will be available rated at 251hp and 259 lbs-ft. |
| passenger people hauler based upon the popular | | | | of torque. Routan features German -tuned |
| Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & | | | | suspension and steering optimized for handling and |
| Country platform. Though VW is emphasizing the | | | | advanced driving dynamics. |
| car's German engineering, the bulk of this model is | | | | Standard all-season traction control and ESP bring |
| decidedly American, not a bad thing, but a better | | | | safety and security to the Routan. The Routan |
| explanation of just what consumers are buying. | | | | comes with a host of sought-after standard and |
| Minivan History | | | | optional features, including: Remote engine start |
| It was 25 years ago that Chrysler Corporation | | | | system, power second row windows, towing |
| turned the automotive industry on its head by | | | | preparation package with automatic load-leveling |
| rolling out a trio of car-based people haulers that | | | | rear suspension, power sliding doors, Conversation |
| they dubbed minivans. Based on the popular | | | | Mirror, rear seat entertainment system with two |
| “K” car platform, the Dodge Caravan, | | | | 9-inch screens for second and third rows, wireless |
| Plymouth Voyager, and Chrysler Town & Country | | | | headphones and remote control, SIRIUS Satellite |
| quickly became instant sellers, as families who had | | | | Radio and SIRIUS Traffic data, dual power sliding |
| long eschewed station wagons embraced these | | | | doors with power windows, touch screen JoyBox |
| vehicles. | | | | TM DVD-navigation entertainment system with |
| Featuring three rows of seating, cup holders | | | | 30GB hard drive, remote-operated power lift gate |
| galore, and fuel efficient engines, the Chrysler trio | | | | with flood lamp, seating for 7 and up to 21 |
| helped the company recover from its earlier | | | | different seating configurations. |
| financial crisis to the point where the Chrysler | | | | The Routan carries NHTSA’S 5-Star Safety |
| Corporation had the funds needed to buy out the | | | | Rating and, like all 2009 models, Routan comes |
| American Motors Corporation a few years later. | | | | standard with Volkswagen’s Carefree |
| Compact and fuel efficient, the new minivans | | | | Maintenance program. |
| created an entire new segment of vehicles which | | | | Volkswagen's introduction of the Routan is good |
| is still led by Chrysler today, but with some | | | | timing as the vehicle will deliver an estimated 23 |
| serious competition in the form of the Honda | | | | mpg on the highway, which is average for this |
| Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. | | | | class car. And, with prices starting at just under |
| Volkswagen and Chrysler Forge a Partnership | | | | $25,000 the Routan delivers a whole lot of car for |
| For Volkswagen, a partnership with Chrysler | | | | a decent amount of money. |
| makes good business sense as it allows the | | | | (Source: Volkswagen of America, Inc. |