Press Kit: 2006 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan, What's New for '06

After 21 years and more than 11 million sales, Chrysler Group minivans are still setting the standard for flexibility and innovation in the minivan segment. Segment-leading innovations from the Chrysler Group continue in the 2006 model year with the Stow 'n Go™ seating and storage system originally introduced on the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. With useful innovations like Stow 'n Go, safety and security features like a minivan-first inflatable knee blocker and value for the consumer, Dodge Caravan remains the sales leader in the minivan market segment.

The 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan's Stow 'n Go seating and storage system features comfortable second- and third-row seats that easily fold into the floor in less than 30 seconds. With all seats in the upright position, there is an available 12 cu. ft. of storage space. The second row has two roomy, covered storage bins with 6 cu. ft. of space, while the third row has an available 6 cu. ft. storage area with built-in grocery hooks.  For 2006, Chrysler Group modified the second-row storage bin covers with a tri-fold access panel that allows easier access to the covered storage bins and doesn't require moving the front driver or passenger seat forward.

The flexibility of Stow 'n Go offers an abundance of seating configurations, the most popular of which are:

• Family (all seats in the upright position)
• Limousine (second-row seats stowed in the floor, third-row seats upright)
• Cargo (second- and third-row seats stowed in the floor for a total of 160.7 cu. ft. of cargo capacity)
• Tailgate (third-row seats flipped rearward with rear hatch open for covered seating while parked)

"The innovative Stow 'n Go seating and storage system on the Dodge Grand Caravan has really resonated with consumers," said Darryl Jackson, Vice President-Dodge Marketing. "By listening to our customers and offering them better value and flexibility, Dodge intends to remain the leader in the very competitive minivan market segment."

Designed From the Inside Out
Chrysler Group changed the way people thought about transportation when it introduced the modern minivan 21 years ago. Designed from the inside out, the formula has been enhanced and improved upon, while staying true to its original design: a garageable van with chair-height seating, a low, flat floor, easy entry and exit, front-wheel drive and flexible seating.

The 2006 Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan embrace the original minivan formula, but also remain uniquely Dodge. The 2006 Caravan and Grand Caravan are instantly recognizable as a Dodge by their distinctive U-shaped grille that has become the "face of Dodge."

"The 2006 Dodge minivans make a bold styling statement without compromising our time-tested minivan formula," said Joe Dehner-Director, Chrysler Group Design. "Like a child who turns 21, our minivans have matured into pleasant, useful and capable vehicles.

The 2006 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan is available in four models.

2006 Dodge Caravan SE
The Dodge Caravan SE is the value leader with the lowest price in the minivan segment. The 2006 Dodge Caravan SE standard-wheelbase minivan is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 150 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque and mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include advanced multistage driver- and front-passenger air bags, driver's side inflatable knee blocker, air conditioning, cargo net between the front seats, rear seatback grocery bag hooks, two-passenger intermediate and three-passenger rear bench seat featuring Easy Out® roller seats, Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child seat anchor system, BeltAlert for driver and front passenger, AM/FM stereo radio with CD player and four speakers, 15-inch Interface wheel covers and DoorAlert.

Optional features available include sunscreen glass, rear window defroster, power door locks, power adjustable pedals, rear seat video system, power front windows, supplemental three-row side-curtain air bags, remote keyless entry which includes Sentry Key® engine immobilizer and AM/FM stereo radio with cassette and CD player.

2006 Dodge Caravan SXT
The 2006 Dodge Caravan SXT standard-wheelbase minivan is powered by a 3.3-liter V-6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. In addition to the standard features available on the Dodge Caravan SE model, the 2006 Dodge Caravan SXT features standard dual-zone air conditioning, power door locks, power front windows and rear vents, rear defroster, sunscreen glass, power heated exterior mirrors, remote keyless and illuminated entry with Sentry Key engine immobilizer, second-row bucket and third-row bench seat, AM/FM stereo radio with cassette/CD player and six speakers, speed control, tilt steering column and 16-inch Ingot aluminum wheels.

Optional features available include supplemental three-row side-curtain air bags, passenger-side power sliding door, roof rack, removable center console between front seats, power adjustable pedals, AM/FM stereo radio with six-disc in-dash CD changer, UConnect™ hands-free communication with Bluetooth™ technology and rear entertainment system.

2006 Grand Caravan SE
The 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SE long-wheelbase minivan is powered by a 3.3-liter V-6 engine with 180 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque, a four-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include advanced multi-stage driver and front-passenger air bags with Occupant Classification System (OCS), driver's side inflatable knee blocker, rear defroster, speed control, tilt steering column, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, BeltAlert for driver  and front passenger, DoorAlert, air conditioning, body-color front and rear fascias, cargo net between the front seats, rear seatback grocery bag hooks, two-passenger intermediate bench seat with second-row covered storage bins with an available 6 cu. ft. of storage space, three-passenger rear 60/40 split bench seat with recline and fold-in-the-floor seating, Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child seat anchor system, AM/FM stereo radio with CD player and four speakers, and 15-inch Interface wheel covers.

Optional features available on the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SE include Stow 'n Go seating and storage system (second- and third-row seats that fold in the floor and an available 6 cu. ft. of storage space in each row when seats are upright), supplemental three-row side-curtain air bags, overhead rail console with three moveable/removable storage compartments, power adjustable pedals, remote keyless entry with Sentry Key engine immobilizer, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and rear entertainment group, including DVD player with second-row overhead seven-inch video screen, six speakers and video remote control.

2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT
In addition to the standard features on the Dodge Grand Caravan SE, the long-wheelbase 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT is powered by a 3.8-liter V-6 engine with 205 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Other standard features include Stow 'n Go seating and storage system featuring second- and third-row seats that fold in the floor and an available 6 cu. ft. of storage space in each row when seats are upright, power driver- and passenger-side sliding doors, three-zone manual temperature control, power windows, power door locks, dual power heated mirrors, sunscreen glass, overhead console with trip computer and HomeLink® universal transceiver, eight-way power driver's seat, fog lamps, roof rack, illuminated visor/vanity mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote audio controls, AM/FM stereo radio with cassette, CD player and six speakers, 16-inch Ingot aluminum wheels and remote keyless illuminated entry with Sentry Key engine immobilizer.

Optional equipment available on the 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT includes supplemental three-row side-curtain air bags, ParkSense™ rear back-up system, power liftgate, power sun roof, removable front center console, power adjustable pedals, overhead rail console with three moveable/removable storage compartments, low-speed traction control, AM/FM stereo radio CD/DVD changer that plays most types of CDs/DVDs (including MP3, DVD audio, DVD video, DVD R and DVD RW), AM/FM stereo with CD player and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) navigation, UConnect hands-free communication with Bluetooth technology, Infinity® Acoustic 8™ speaker system, touring suspension and trailer-tow package with load-leveling and height control.

Exterior colors available for the 2006 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan are Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Butane Blue Pearl Coat, Magnesium Pearl Coat, Linen Gold Metallic, Brilliant Black Crystal, Stone White, Bright Silver Metallic and Midnight Blue Pearl Coat.

2006 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan models are built at Chrysler Group's Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and St. Louis South Assembly Plant in Fenton, Mo.