Last time our 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT was at a track, James posted a video of me 'hot' lapping it, full of equipment, around a shortened version of the Streets of Willow. This time, though, we've done things the right way. We ditched the cones and the water bottles, attached test equipment, and fitted the driver's seat with one of our professional test drivers.
And drive they did! Full results of our track testing after the jump.
Acceleration:
0-30: 3.2
0-45: 5.5
0-60: 8.8 (0-60 with a rollout, like a drag strip -- so more aptly, rolling - 60: 8.4 sec.)
0-75: 13.5
1/4-mile: 16.6 @ 83.4 mph
Comments: Some wheel spin from standstill and the steering tugs a little. Gears 1-3 keep the engine on the boil, but 4th is a bottomless pit- dropping revs @ 2,000 rpm.
Braking:
60-0: 133 feet
30-0: 33 feet.
Comments: Consistently squishy pedal with multi-threshold feel. Plenty of dive and the rear gets awfully light / skittish, ABS is noticeably attempting to distribute brake force.
Handling: (ever the forte of the minivan)
Skidpad: .70 G
Comments: Lots of roll -- so much in fact that the inside front tire comes off the ground (especially in clockwise direction). Steering remains light despite load.
Slalom: 57.9 MPH
Comments: ESP shuts off completely. Steering is slow off center and body motions are too. Light steering is a good thing here, and it's usably precise. Quick turn-in for such a large minivan.
As tested weight: 4,750 lbs
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant @ 7134 miles (as tested mileage)
firstwagon says:
05:09 PM, 06/27/08
So a racing series for minivans is a no go?
Disappointed with the curb weight. My folks 2001 Caravan weighed in at 3710 on a trip to the landfill. 1000lbs is a lot of excess fat.
carmizvi says:
09:34 PM, 06/27/08
The table that comes with the Swivel 'n Go seats must have the same density as depleted uranium. Yeah, that must be it.
Seriously, weigh reduction needs to be a greater priority in future generations of vehicles. I know the manufacturers say weight gain or creep is because of all the safety gear that wasn't mandated all those years ago. But I wonder how much of the pork is really meat and how much is just fat.
carmizvi says:
09:35 PM, 06/27/08
I've gotta stop typing after midnight. Make that "weight reduction". Sheesh!
deadmansale says:
08:01 AM, 06/28/08
i hereby stop reading all posts about the dgc. at this point, making fun of the thing is like making fun of the one-legged homeless juggler: far too easy.
stovt001 says:
11:28 AM, 06/28/08
Last year I volunteered to serve as camp staff/security for a volunteer service trip to Mexico. One day after the dirt field that served as a parking lot cleared we made an autocross course out of old tires and ran our rental Kia Sedona van through the paces. After looking at that video and those numbers, I think the Sedona could more than hold its own against the Dodge. I say bring on the spec minivan racing series.
hondacura4 says:
03:03 PM, 06/28/08
"As tested weight: 4,750 lbs"
My Odyssey Touring has a similar weight.
treetime says:
08:14 AM, 08/23/08
These results will be a big disappointment to everyone who was going to take their minivan to the track.