Test drive Chrysler Voyager 2000 - 2003
American record holder of Europe
Going to take the Chrysler Voyager test, we, of course, thought that in the courtyard of the Daimlerchrysler technical center, we were waiting for the minivan of the 2001 model year. It is easy to imagine our condition when we saw a new one, from a needle ... Voyager of the previous generation recently discontinued! But, according to mature thought, we decided not to refuse to acquaint. Well, if only because most of the foreign cars purchased in our country belong to the category of Second Hand. And, we hope, this material will be interesting to those who are looking at a middle -aged minivan at a similar price. The first Chrysler minivans saw the light in the fall of 1983. Pretty quickly (and monopoly!) Having mastered the American Minivan market, Chrysler in 1988 settled the path to Europe, where Renault alone removed the cream of minivanization, but of course, she could not fully satisfy the demand. Meanwhile, in 1990, a modification with all -wheel drive based on a viscous coupling (development of Steyr) appeared. And while the rest of the European manufacturers, having realized, developed their projects, Voyager was so entrenched in the Old World that even received a residence permit since August 1992. The minivans for Europe began to collect at the EUROSTAR plant in Graz (Austria).
The third generation
Our hero was represented by the world in January 1995, like his predecessors, Chrysler Voyager III and his nominal brothers Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Plymuth Voyager were produced in two dimensional performances by ordinary and long -standing Grand (by the way, this is the most input to be preserved) . There were many modifications on the engine, they were supplied depending on the brand and market, but in any case, the buyer had a choice of three to four engines. Since we also came to us cars for sale in the United States, we will list all the options for 6 years of production: two in-line fours (2 and 2.4 l), three V-shaped sixes (3.0; 3.3 and 3, 8 l), and also, especially for europa, a 2.5-liter turbodiesel. V6 engines were aggregated only with automatic transmission, 2-liter gasoline and turbodiesel with only five-speed mechanics. 3.3- and 3.8-liter versions could be all-wheel drive.
Actually, much of the above is fair to repeat in the present tense, for most of this farm, modernized, but without fundamental changes, was inherited by the 2001 model. Only a turbodiesel is significantly different now it has 4 valves for a cylinder, direct injection and a single high -pressure fuel line (Common Rail). Well, our visuals Chrysler Voyager 2000 of the model year with a normal base, a 3.8-liter gasoline engine (164 hp/325 nm), four-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Inside more than outside Rounded streamlined shapes and successfully selected proportions do their job visually the car is perceived more like a typical European minivan than as an American. And when you see the usual Voyager on the street, you will never think that it actually has the same length as the long -standing Renault Grand Espace, and a much larger width of almost 2 meters! When you open the door, the salon also does not seem to be particularly large as a completely European one. But sitting down in a chair, you immediately understand that in fact it is very spacious to pay attention to the distances between the seats. And everything will fall into place from the first seconds, if you start with a trunk in most European minivans with the rear row of seats, it is almost absent, 450 liters remain here. By the way, Grand Voyager has a minimum trunk for 220 liters more!
The advantage that cannot be noted is wide shifting doors: they are not only convenient in close parking, but also significantly simplify the landing on the rear row, and when using the machine as a van loading. In the calculation of the children, the security measures are thought out the door, the door, the door, is fixed to the stop, and then you can close it only by pulling the handle (if from the inside, by pressing the button) of the castle. As is customary in America, in the Voyager salon, two separate chairs in the middle row and a triple sofa are most often installed in the rear. This placement is inferior to the traditional European in luggage functionality, but has its advantages: you can move around the cabin without going outside, which children will be especially happy. However, our Voyager was generally in the service six -seater configuration (three rows of two separate chairs), and in this case, there is clearly no need to blame the lack of transformation options. True, such a kit is not very convenient if your children are small.
The interior of the head gives out overseas origin: the leather upholstery of the seats is adjacent to inexpensive plastics of the finish, and the performance of some elements is very specific that there are only drawn extensions of anti -alcohol visions. And do not be surprised that the board of the on -board computer is located on the ceiling console, next to the navigational lanterns and folding eyeglasses. In the end, your spouse also has the right to know not only the air temperature and time, but also what your driving style costs the family budget. The national roots also affected the design of removable seats: already looking at their massive tubular bases and solid fasteners, you understand that the interior transformation is not a female case here. Despite the rollers that allow you to roll out (and not just drain) heavy chairs from the cabin.
Winter express Unfortunately, Voyager was not deprived of the shortage characteristic of many Americans: although the driver's seat is pushing back far enough, the back adjustment range is limited. And if the tall driver does not have the proportions of Gibbon, then he will still have to move forward the steering wheel is only adjusted upside down. But here there is a restriction of a number of signal bulbs on the visor of the dashboard look spectacular, but the rim of the steering wheel in the upper position is blocked. The rest of the claim is difficult to make the interior very functional, and some decisions are so witty, for example, separate adjustment of the intensity of heating for the right and left sides with two combined engines. The seats are deprived of side support rollers, but to some extent their function is taken by folding armrests.
The dynamics that the four -liter engine provides is more than convincing, and on a snowy road, all -wheel drive is helped by all -wheel drive, which is not restrained by any anti -tuxe systems, the bus straightens out at a traffic light with cars in movement without problems. Naturally, you will have to pay for such renunciation on a gas station appetite at the motor appropriate. The automatic transmission of the American-thoughtful one can not call any delays in any way, the reaction to the pedal of the accelerator is fast and impressive. The shortcomings are noticeable jerks during switching and, according to the American tradition, the inefficiency of braking by the engine on the III and IV steps. Despite the impressive dimensions, Voyager does not show validity and tendency to build up. Moreover, in unloaded state, in some cases, it may even seem harsh.
Full -wheel drive provides not only sound dynamics, but also good cross -country ability voyager confidently rowing until it starts to sit on the belly. But on a slippery road, you should be careful, although in most cases the behavior of the car is quite front -wheel drive, with a significant slip of the front wheels, it becomes rear -wheel drive, and this transformation can take you by surprise. With appropriate consequences. The salon is well drowned, and on the long journey you will not bother you either the engine noise or other external stimuli. The sound of the audio system is surprisingly not bad. The heater is effective, and only in the city you will sometimes complain that for some reason the recirculation mode does not turn on if the air flow is directed to the glass, and therefore you have to choose: either fogging windows or the smell of exhaust gases in the cabin.
Text Dmitry Filonov
Photo Alexander Nozdrin
Source: Cars
