Is it just me, or is Ralph Gilles, Dodge Brand CEO and VP of Chrysler design, the only executive in the car business having fun? You hear this guy talk and you feel that he gets it. Not just that he gets cars and the passion they evoke, but he gets -- and likes -- Dodge. Some guys fall into a job and they sell the things they get paid for. Gilles is either the best actor in the world or he really does love his job.
Take for instance, the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan R/T "man van." We'd been freshly bribed with Dodge coffee and Gilles is doing an early-morning walkaround of the Dodge products on the show floor. The two he spends the most time on: the 2011 Grand Caravan R/T and the Dodge Durango R/T (more on that later.) He says they've both been "dipped in paint," including the crosshair grille, because "some of our customers don't like chrome." And he says they both are a ton of fun to drive.
The 2011 DGC is already the most powerful minivan available with 283 horses, but this one has been lowered 12mm, features revised aerodynamics, a driver-selectable fuel economy/fun button (most certainly not labeled "fuel economy/fun) and 17s with low-rolling-resistance tires.
The interior has also been revised. And by that we mean refinished in black. All black. Gilles says this is to scare away the average mom who hops in thinking this is a normal minivan. And this is when Gilles gets fun. "It's like a GTI" he says while pretending to steer. He does this when he talks about driving the van, pretends to steer or use the pedals; car guys all do this. Ralph does this. He's talking about loading up the suspension on on-ramps and playing with the van and he's smiling -- this is a guy who's raced Vipers and he's digging a minivan. Again, we're back to thinking he's the best actor in the world, but we want to give the man van a shot first.
Aimed at buyers who would have a sport sedan if not for lifestyle needs, the R/T Caravan seems like a solid deal at $30,595. So, do you want one? Would you settle for it if you needed a van?
lostboyz says:
02:46 PM, 02/10/11
When it all hit the fan ralph got a lot of big offers from other companies. He truly loves the brand and wants to see it recover and flourish. He's definitely no actor.
pat1usmc says:
02:50 PM, 02/10/11
I have a 2010 GC with the "sport suspension" but I will definitely be at the dealer to test drive this one when it is available. I would like to see what it looks like in a darker color.
I definitely appreciate having a minivan, espcially with kids. It seems to prove itself everywhere though. Last month I hauled away the best craigslist find ever: an adjustable weight bench, two Olympic bars, two adjustable 50 lb dumbbells, two plate racks and 700 lbs of plates. I still had a ton of room left over.
You guys didn't get any pictures of the interior?
pat1usmc says:
02:53 PM, 02/10/11
The R/T also comes with the upgraded stereo system. Something else that most women don't care about.
opfreakx says:
02:58 PM, 02/10/11
guy must have good drugs. Its a mine van. Unless the man is wearing a skirt, its no man van.
bimmerjay says:
03:12 PM, 02/10/11
It doesn't really look much different than your average rental-grade GC, even the "special" wheels look generic. And LRR tires? Sounds real sporty...
berber5985 says:
03:27 PM, 02/10/11
I must say, I wish they put the srt wheels on, but overall, depending on how much better they say it handles, I would buy one for sure. I'd been looking at the Toyota Sienna SE (Swagger Wagon) because I want a van that handles well and is fun to drive. I've always been a Dodge fan though and now more than ever. They have addressed many of the things that always held them behind. I'm thoroughly impressed with their newest lineup of cars. It seems they are taking leaps and bounds towards increasing the quality and performance of their entire lineup from top to bottom while keeping the pricing reasonable. I'm in love. Give me a man-van and make it black!
93aero says:
03:30 PM, 02/10/11
Thats a sweet van!
rustyshacklfrd says:
03:37 PM, 02/10/11
If your manhood is somehow diminished by driving a van, your manhood is an illusion to begin with.
eldaino2 says:
03:51 PM, 02/10/11
Lol every bit as cheesy as an se sienna. If u want a van that has a crisply tuned suspension, but don't want to look like you are trying too hard, buy an odyssey.
I am tickled at Gilles' comparison though.....it brought a smile to my face knowing that the gti is held that favorably.
06scooby says:
04:23 PM, 02/10/11
Seriously... with the v6, the sport set-up and it looks like it's got leather and some other goodies... at under $31k + the usual dodge incentives that sounds like it would be steal!
powell_jr says:
04:24 PM, 02/10/11
I like the guy a lot. I don't care for vans though, but they suit some.
inlinesix says:
05:17 PM, 02/10/11
The reason we have a minivan is that they are the most efficient vehicles. So if you have kids, its hard to beat. I also have a 2010 Dodge GC and its definitely a step below the Honda in driving "fun" but they are both FWD anyway. Neither is really fun to drive at all. The tranny in the dodge is clumsy, and the workmanship is below the better brands.
They'll have to do a lot more than add power or lower it to make it good.
revmarc says:
05:56 PM, 02/10/11
Completely shocked by the lack of Chrysler hate. Impressive. Most impressive.
Anyway, really like the van, but what happened to the cool wheels? DO NOT like those. Come on, Ralph-- go all the way!
litewerk says:
08:08 PM, 02/10/11
As an enthusiast and a Mopar guy, I like it! Would I settle for it if I needed a van? Heck yeah! It would be the only van I'd give any serious consideration. It kinda puts me in mind of the turbo Caravan and Voyager that was available briefly a little over 20 yeras ago. It's more of a suble difference from the G.C., rather like the S.H.O. was to the normal Taurus, again about 20 years ago. Oh, and I'm sure there's gonna be some Dodge or Mopar accessories available to further persoalize yours, when you get one. Like a few have already said, maybe you want to add a different set of rims in order to bling it out a little bit.
Oh, and my impression of Ralph Gilles is that he's just a super great guy! He knows cars and he knows what he's doing.
P.S. In my ideal (fantasy) world, I'd have a performance sedan (Charger R/T), a truck (Ram 2500 Cummins quad cab), an economical small coupe or sedan (500 or other upcoming model), and yes a minivan (a "man van").
roadburner says:
09:01 PM, 02/10/11
My wife hates vans more than me- and that's saying something. Hence the reason we only had one child. I'm sure it's nice enough, but the only Chrysler product I could see myself buying would be a Challenger in either an R/T or an SRT. Unfortunately, my wife has now limited me to no more than 22 wheels on the ground...
malicious1 says:
09:14 PM, 02/10/11
With the kind of guys running the show at Chrysler, they absolutely cannot lose. Its great to see the transition...and its happening at record speed.
eclogite says:
04:50 AM, 02/11/11
+1 bimmerjay
You can put lipstick on a pig, but...
1487 says:
05:24 AM, 02/11/11
it needs 18" wheels
td1105 says:
06:21 AM, 02/11/11
I think they won me over between the coffee, breakfast, and the "Ralph just started his talk, and now you're at the front of the group!" moment. Nevertheless, the black leather with red stitching was a nice touch, and the man-van had more character (by far) than any other family-hauler at the show. No Charger SRT-8, but...
technetium99 says:
07:41 AM, 02/11/11
Why did Ralphie change shoes between the second and third pictures?
johnnyr3 says:
07:48 AM, 02/11/11
Doesn't it seem counter intuitive to have low rolling resistance tires on a vehicle with sporting pretensions? A moot point, I guess, as they can be easily replaced, but still seems incongruous...
agnh says:
08:20 AM, 02/11/11
Good concept, much more masculine than my champagne Toyota van. It definately needs someplace for a mural though. Noting too ostentatious, maybe a princess in a leather bikini chained to a dragon or a wizard holding a sceptre with a lightning bolt shooting out of it. It is a van after all.
intothewest says:
08:49 AM, 02/11/11
Nope. Doesn't go far enough. Starting with the 17s. The sidewall on the tires are still way to high, and they look too small. Needs to be 19 at least I'd guess - and make them "sporty" looking - like 5 spokes, or even some old fashioned Cragar or Torq-thrust - have some real fun with it.
Also - some extra power. Doesn't have to be a ton more (since its already 283 through the front wheels)...but, come on, get some cool looking dual exhaust popping out the back.
Then, throw on some kind of limited-slip (or "simulated" limited-slip), some larger brakes, and some mild ground effects (like what Toyota and Honda have done).
Heck, get one of those "power bulge" hoods - or at least some deeper character lines.
Anyway...a million things they could've done - but didn't.
Might as well just stuck a "sport" badge on it so folks new it's mission (oops. they've done that already).
trollson says:
11:32 AM, 02/11/11
Why would you get a van instead of a nice big sedan?
altimadude05 says:
12:21 PM, 02/11/11
It needs a Batmobile wing on the roof and a flamethrower out the hatch. THEN it will be a man-van.
litewerk says:
12:58 PM, 02/11/11
@intothewest
Are you sure it needs to come the way you'd want yours? Many vehicles since at least the PT Cruiser have come as sort of a blank canvas, allowing the owner a multitude of ways to customize or "mod" their vehicle to suit their taste. Depending, of course, on the level of aftermarket accessories. Chances are, some will be available through Dodge as Mopar accessories. Certainly, going back many generations, the first thing an enthusiast buyer would do is get some aftermarket wheels and tires to improve his vehicle. Still an option today.
mazda609 says:
03:11 PM, 02/11/11
rustyshacklfrd
+1
I think its a great idea. Its sportier without sacrificing much comfort and still provides great utility. I would take this over the Explorer and Durango any day.
roadburner says:
12:20 PM, 02/12/11
"the first thing an enthusiast buyer would do is get some aftermarket wheels and tires to improve his vehicle. Still an option today."
Buying aftermarket wheels and tires for a minivan would be like buying a Victoria's Secret negligee for Rosanne Barr...
firstwagon says:
12:29 PM, 02/12/11
roadburner
looks cool on a Honda minivan, why not a Dodge?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnGCdcr6bgg
veryhrm says:
11:13 PM, 02/12/11
A few weeks ago, i visited my parents and got to drive their 2010 GC "Crew" for a few days. This one had the 4.0L and was pretty fully loaded (except for nav and entertainment package). Lots of neat features like power doors and tail gate, power rear windows... cool steering wheel controls... towing package... middle and rear seat audio, heating and A/C controls... lots of good stuff.
Driving wise though... it was so-so. It had plenty of power, but the transmission (6-speed) was a mess for anything other than leisurely driving. Hit the gas and it did the standard auto-transmission thing:
1) 1 or 2 seconds of nothing.
2) suddenly lurch down 2 or 3 gears and go to red-line
3) Let off the gas a little and then it's back in top gear.
4) apply a bit more gas: goto step 1
The auto-manual shifting mode was pretty useless. It would only be useful for using a lower gear for a long downhill or uphill or maybe for shifting down before a pass, but for anything else it's awful.
Then there was the suspension (there was disagreement whether this one had the sports suspension or not.. and the window sticker wasn't available, but i'm going to guess (hope) that it wasn't). The suspension was soft. There was a good deal of lean in the corners, but worse is that the car was easily upset by any changes in steering input so it felt unstable, esp on the highway.
Even assuming that this wasn't the sports suspension and that the sports suspension is actually good, the transmission puts the kibosh on any sort of spirited driving.
If they'd give it a manual transmission... or at least a better automatic... but still preferably a manual (and an AWD option... and a diesel... ) then i'd be all for it!
coolbreezesd says:
08:36 AM, 02/13/11
Ralph is definitely the real deal. I met him at the Viper plant, for the last Gen IV off the assembly plant. This guy bleeds Mopar. I hope he is CEO of Chrysler some day!
milt721 says:
09:24 AM, 02/14/11
"Why did Ralphie change shoes between the second and third pictures?"
A better question is: "Why did you notice?"
"Why would you get a van instead of a nice big sedan?"
For starters, a van can seat eight no problem while a nice big sedan can only seat six - and that's only if you have a front bench seat - good luck finding one of those.