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Can a "man van" make the minivan a vehicle long associated with carpools, soccer practice and unpleasant road trips cool again? Chrysler is trying to do just that with its new Dodge Grand Caravan RT, unveiled today at the Chicago Auto Show.
The minivan drives like a sports car thanks to its suspension, 283 horse power engine and wider tires that ride a half-inch lower to the ground, Dodge says.
But can it shed the minivan's mommy label? According to Ralph Gilles, chief designer and president and CEO of Dodge Brands, "We consider ourselves to be the inventors of minivans and feel we can change the conversation on minivans."
Over the years, the minivan has been seen as a mommy mobile able to provide easy access and shuttle children to ballet and swim lessons while surviving numerous types of spills.
But with the new Grand Caravan RT, Dodge has given the vehicle a makeover on everything from functionality to interior and earned itself the hip nickname "man van" because of the all-black leather interior that resembles a man cave. Between the expected high performance and the more man-friendly design, Dodge is re-branding the Grand Caravan RT as a vehicle that can be used for tailboard parties and weekend warrior projects.
A good friend of his who has a go-cart store and runs a dog rescue operation on the side helped inspire the design, Gilles said.
The "man van" takes aim at mommy mobiles and the "Swagger Wagon," the Toyota Sienna, marketed in ads featuring a hipster family rapping about the streets of the cul-de-sac in minivan.
The man van isn't just a marketing campaign to get daddies driving minivans. Many elements of the Grand Caravan have changed, including the stylish look that some may find dark and claustrophobic but could serve as a vehicular chancel for some men.
Sarah Barrand says ,"For so many guys the thought of a minivan is it's just not cool. Guys going through the dating process want that souped up sports car and then life changes, then it's not so fun lugging those car seats in a sports car."
The minivan drives like a sports car thanks to its suspension, 283 horse power engine and wider tires that ride a half-inch lower to the ground, Dodge says.
But can it shed the minivan's mommy label? According to Ralph Gilles, chief designer and president and CEO of Dodge Brands, "We consider ourselves to be the inventors of minivans and feel we can change the conversation on minivans."
Over the years, the minivan has been seen as a mommy mobile able to provide easy access and shuttle children to ballet and swim lessons while surviving numerous types of spills.
But with the new Grand Caravan RT, Dodge has given the vehicle a makeover on everything from functionality to interior and earned itself the hip nickname "man van" because of the all-black leather interior that resembles a man cave. Between the expected high performance and the more man-friendly design, Dodge is re-branding the Grand Caravan RT as a vehicle that can be used for tailboard parties and weekend warrior projects.
A good friend of his who has a go-cart store and runs a dog rescue operation on the side helped inspire the design, Gilles said.
The "man van" takes aim at mommy mobiles and the "Swagger Wagon," the Toyota Sienna, marketed in ads featuring a hipster family rapping about the streets of the cul-de-sac in minivan.
The man van isn't just a marketing campaign to get daddies driving minivans. Many elements of the Grand Caravan have changed, including the stylish look that some may find dark and claustrophobic but could serve as a vehicular chancel for some men.
Sarah Barrand says ,"For so many guys the thought of a minivan is it's just not cool. Guys going through the dating process want that souped up sports car and then life changes, then it's not so fun lugging those car seats in a sports car."
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