The 2011 Chrysler Town & Country now introduces newly styled exterior, a slightly enhanced interior, and the new Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engineAt the heart of America, the minivan somehow still manages to find its way into many homes along side of the gas-guzzling SUV alternatives. With gas prices steadily rising, the minivan has become an attractive choice with families needing the extra seating. The new Chrysler Town & Country beckons to fill that void.
Changes under the sheetmetal are larger. For 2011, the Town & Country�s outdated 3.3-, 3.8-, and 4.0-liter V-6 engines have been replaced by Chrysler�s new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine. It makes 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and comes only with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive�quite an upgrade from 2010�s base powertrain combo of a 175-hp V-6 and a four-speed auto. Chrysler predicts fuel economy of 17 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. Those are the same mileage ratings as the outgoing 4.0-liter unit, yet the Pentastar offers appreciable increases over the old engine�s 251 hp and 259 lb-ft. Based on experience with our long-term Caravan, the van didn�t necessarily need more power, although more without additional consumption is fine by us.
The new V-6 is a modern powerplant with dual overhead cams, variable valve timing, and aluminum construction. We�ve already sampled it and found it smooth and satisfying in the new Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Inside of the new Town & Country you will find ample seating for either 7 or 8 passengers depending on the configuration. My 7-passenger Town & Country surprisingly had comfortable 3rd row power-folding seats. The 3rd row is by far the easiest to fold out of the way via the power controls. The power folding 3rd row (Stow n� Go) offers the ability to fold them fully down or in a reclined configuration all with a push of a button. This is a major selling point for those looking for a minivan that offers easily obtainable flavors of rear seating and storage options. The three-zone climate controls add to the comfort for rear passengers with a full-set of controls to isolate them from the two front zones. Adjustable LED ambient lighting through the rear seating areas and roof put the icing on the cake for this �luxury� minivan.
Chrysler has bundled all its safety technology into the descriptively titled SafetyTec package. Standard on all 2011 T&Cs, it includes a blind-spot warning system, stability control, parking sensors, and more. Other options like Sirius and FLO satellite TV services for rear-seat passengers, as well as the Stow �n Go folding seats, carry over.
Pricing has yet to be released, but Chrysler says the T&C will be �competitive for its class.� The 2010 model stickered from $26,010 to $36,710 before options, and we expect the 2011 model�s sticker to remain close to those levels. The new van will hit showrooms by the end of 2010. Chrysler says we�ll see it at an auto show before the end of the year, pointing to a Los Angeles show debut in November.
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