European minivans - Chrysler Voyager and others
2005 engines update
| Chrysler Voyager UK Engines | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine - | hp / | Miles per Gallon | 0-62 mph/ | |
| Wheelbase | torque | UK | US | 0-100 kph |
| 2.4* | 145/161 | 21.6-35.8 | 18-30 | 12.4 |
| 3.3 | 172/205 | 15.5-26.9 | 13-22 | 12.6 |
| 2.5* | 141/251 | 28.5-44.1 | 24-37 | 11.9 |
| 2.8 SWB | 150/265 | 25.0-32.8 | 21-27 | 12.0 |
| 2.8 LWB | 150/265 | 24.6-32.3 | 20-27 | 12.0 |
| * Manual transmission, short wheelbase (SWB) | ||||
Chrysler is adding a 2.8 common-rail turbo diesel engine to its European Voyager line, made in Austria; a 2.5 liter diesel has been made there for decades. Both diesels have four cylinders and are made by VM/Detroit Diesel.
The 2.5 is the speed champion, with 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 11.9 sec, but it is only available in the short wheelbase and with a five-speed manual transmission (which is why it outperforms the 2.8). The biggest, thirstiest engine, the 3.3 V6, is also the slowest engine, being beaten (slightly) by the humble 2.4 liter four-cylinder. The reason: the V6 only comes with the heavier extended-wheelbase model and an automatic. The upcoming six-speed automatic may change that.
American buyers may want the superior speed and gas mileage of the diesel twins, but it's unlikely that they will appear in North America until competitors have paved the way.
The 2.8 comes only with a 4 speed automatic, and goes 0-100 km/h in 12 sec. Unlike the 2.5, it is available with both short and long wheelbase bodies. This engine will also be used in the Jeep Liberty in the U.S. (and is used by the Liberty in Europe). Note that the acceleration figure provided by Chrysler is the same for short and long wheelbase models; surprisingly, the weight difference seems quite small, with the curb weight varying from 2,010 pounds to 2150 pounds, with the lightest model being, oddly, an extended-wheelbase van. Perhaps there are typos on Chrysler's materials?
Pricing ranges between £15,572 to £27,082 - at the time of writing, an unbelieveable $28,497 before VAT for the 2.4 Voyager to an even more incredible $49,560 for the top of the line model. That these vehicles sell as well as they do, even with competition from Ford, Volkswagen, and Renault speaks well for Chrysler's reputation.
The bodies have the same restyling features (grille and headlights) as we have in the U.S., but they do not have Stow-N-Go seating, and color choices are different. (Thanks, avusblue, for the translation!)
Not-quite-so-happy update
John Duddy reports from England:
I recently bought a new XS Limited 2.8 turbo diesel Automatic Grand Voyager. This was my fifth such vehicle. Soon after taking delivery I discovered that the following items had been removed from my previous model, with no mention in the brochure:
- All grab handles missing. (Diabolical in a people carrier used to carry elderly folk like me)
- Blanking plug in glove locker to replace previous LAMP.
- Top of windshield sunscreen filter removed (at no extra cost no doubt).
- Windshield heated elements for parked wipers, essential for cold European winters [Allpar had previously noted this absence - Toyota meanwhile added this feature!]
- The automatic door locking switch cuts in at about 60mph. ( Not much use in towns or cities eh?) Supposed to be at 18 miles per hour, according to the handbook. The dealer is unable to adjust this, and the Chrysler person sent to the dealer to "show them how it is done" also failed.
I have written to the England Managing Director, a gentleman called Mr Elliot, and had my letter acknowledged by his personal Assistant three weeks ago. On phoning them I was advised that the director is "off having just got married, and will respond when he gets through the backlog of work awaiting his return."
All in, it sounds like a nickel and dime operation, and a poor result on a car which cost me in excess of £32,000 ($48,000). It does not have the "stow and go" seats either. I am advised by my dealer and Chrysler that it is not possible to fit grab handles even at my own cost. And (it is implied) I should quit complaning since I now have side curtain airbags at "no extra cost to me". Judging from what is missing from the original equipment, it seems in my opinion that I have paid well for these unasked for "extras." (Even cars under half the price of the Voyager are fitted with grab handles and curtain airbags over here in the UK.)
2003 minivan update from Ireland
Richard Beck noted an an article in European magazine Motoring Life which claimed that a new Chrysler Voyager SE 2.5 l turbo diesel got 65 mpg. One in every three Voyagers sold in Ireland is a Grand version, which the magazine called "the luxury limousine of the MPV sector," at over £45,000. All Voyagers offer the choice of gasoline or diesel engines, the Voyager getting the 2.4 liter with either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, and the Grand Voyager with the 3.3 V6 and an automatic - both have the 2.5 liter turbodiesel as an option with a five speed manual. Voyagers are available in SE or LX trim, while Grand Voyager only gets LX. The SE has cloth seats, the LX leather. All come with four wheel antilock brakes, power (folding) mirrors and windows, air conditioning, dual airbags, and side airbags. The Grand has power front seats, trip computer, and three zone temperature control.
Of interest: "a husband and wife team drove a Voyager SE fitted with the 2.5 litre diesel engine 1077 miles (1724 Km) on a single tank of fuel. This averaged out at a highly commendable 65 miles per gallon at an average speed of 48 mph. The car was a standard model and the course was over normal roads in normal traffic conditions and the weather was what you could normally expect to find over that time and distance. In order to prove that the car was not specially prepared for economy run type conditions, it was immediately run on the Nardo test track in southern Italy over a twenty four hour period where it set 22 new records for speed and endurance."
Richard Moss' European minivan update, 2003
The standard Voyager is available with the 3.3L V6 - this is not just reserved for the Grand. Standards come in SE or LX trim whilst the Grand can be LX, Limited or XS. The 2.0L option was dropped some time ago.
As well as the Renault Espace for competition, there is the SEAT Alhambra version of the Ford Galaxy/VW Sharan. The SEAT and VW have VW group engines, but the 2.0L and 2.3L engines in the Galaxy are Ford motors although the 1.9 diesel and 2.8 V6 are VW engines.
The Espace has a wider range of engines than quoted - the 2.0 L petrol engine is joined by a 3.5l V6 and three diesels - 1.9, 2.2 and 3.0V6 TDis.
There is also the quartet of Citroen C8, Peugeot 806, FIAT Ulysse and the Lancia Something or other (no-one buys the Lancia so no-one can remember it's name) which are all the same vehicle but with varied engine options (Peugeot/Citroen use their engines, FIAT/Lancia use theirs) and all have their own trim/badging/lighting optins (in the same way that the Dodge/Chrysler versions of the DC vans do). These are second generation minvans for these manufacturers.
These are the full size vans and all have a seven seat option although FIAT also build the 6 seat Multipla which has two rows of three seats. However, as you rightly say, there is the mid sized Opel/Vauxhall Zafira. Opel/Vauxhall did have a full sized MPV (the Sintra) which was based upon the GM Venture and built in the US - but it bombed and was withdrawn after just a couple of years.
There are some other mid sized MPVs, too. The Renault Scenic, the Citroen Picasso, the Peugeot 307 SW (essentially a lengthened station wagon with a high roof) plus the recently launched Ford Focus C-Max and VW Touran. All of these mid sized MPVs are a little above the Cruiser in the space race and some (like the Zafira) can have a 7 seat option.
For the cheap and cheerful end of the market there are the commercial van derived models - Citroen have the Berlingo Multispace (with it's Peugeot Partner clone), FIAT have the Doblo and Renault do the Kangoo (which can be had with 4WD - as can the Scenic). The Citroen features some very nice aircraft style overhead storage lockers, made possible by the higher roof than on the purpose built MPVs.
We also have the usual offerings from Kia, Honda, Toyota etc. so I think we actually have a wider range of vehicles from which to choose than the US. This spreads the sales more thinly and so we don't really have huge sales for anyone (although the Galaxy, Espace and Voyager takes the lion's share of the market).
State of European minivans, 1997
Americans may be curious to know what the minivan wars are like outside the US. Are Europeans confronted with Chrysler's Voyager proliferation of 3.0, 3.3, 2.4, and 3.8 liter engines with two wheelbases and seeming dozens of options packages? Do the Europeans make anything?
This partial roundup of the Eurominivans was written in 1997 to answer that question. Add to this list the Nissan Quest, Honda Odyssey, and Toyota Previa for a more complete picture.
The Voyager had two engine options - the 2.0 Neon SOHC and the 3.3 V-6. With the 2.0, it is capable of 0 to 60 in 12.4 seconds, 30 to 70 in 12.6. The 3.3 has 155 hp and manages to get to 60 in just .6 seconds less time (11.8). Prices for the 1705-kg minivan range from £18,250 to £24,580. There are also diesel options.
The primary competition in France, at least, is the Renault Espace, which has been around for about the same number of years and was actually developed by Mitra (see story in our history page). It has three engines, a 2.0, 2.2 Diesel, and a 3.0, which move it from 0-60 in between 11 and 15 seconds (except the Diesel) and get between 20.6 and 26.4 mpg (English mpg).
Ford's Galaxy minivan is also sold by Volkswagen with a Golf engine. For between £17,640 and £28,920, you get a 2.0 or 2.3 I-4, a 2.8 V-6, or a 1.9 Diesel. It gets between 20.5 and 28 mpg, and does 0-60 in 10 to 13.2 seconds (gas engines). The horsepower ratings range from 115 to 174. There is an Aspen model!
The Opel Zafira, a subsized minivan, has been a sales success, along with a variety of other sub-minis. Honda, Toyota, and other companies make minivans that are closer to the PT Cruiser than the Caravan, but do not sell them in the United States - just as nobody (maybe except Volkswagen) sells a stick-shift diesel minivan in the US.
