In addition to the most expensive to insure list, the folks at Insure.com put together this list of the least expensive cars to insure. Come join us on this journey to find out what makes these econo-boxes so damn cheap to own that it'd almost be a crime to not consider them for your next purchase. Almost.

[via thecarconnection, edmunds, insure.com]

20.) Dodge Grand Caravan

Price: $22,725
Cost To Insure: $960
Curb Weight: 4321 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.3 liter V6
HP: 175
TQ: 205

Driver Stereotype: Soccer Mom

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The ability to blend into the suburban landscape has allowed the Grand Caravan to slip seamlessly to and from soccer games, the grocery store and at times, Mexican border crossings without detection.

19.) Chevrolet Impala
Price: $23,790
Cost To Insure: $959
Curb Weight: 3555 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.5 liter V6
HP: 211
TQ: 214

Driver Stereotype: Vanilla ice cream-favoring used car salesmen

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Sharing its appearance with multitudes of non-descript cop cars causes the surrounding public to drive very, very carefully around the Impala lessening the likelihood for any direct accidents and adding to the overall value of driver safety.

18.) Mazda B-Series Truck
Price: $16,060
Cost To Insure: $957
Curb Weight: 2999 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.3 liter inline-four
HP: 143
TQ: 154

Driver Stereotype: Has poor credit

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Based on the long-in-the-tooth Ford Ranger, the B-Series Truck shows its age with strong, virtually unbreakable bones.

17.) Lincoln Town Car
Price: $46,385
Cost To Insure: $955
Curb Weight: 4345 lbs
Engine Displacement: 4.6 liter V8
HP: 239
TQ: 287

Driver Stereotype: Mafia fat cats

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Carefully driven due to multiple dead bodies in the trunk, the Town Car rarely sees an insurance claim except for the frequent bloody interior replacement. Typically these are burned to the ground near the docks without much concern for an insurance claim.

16.) Suzuki Forenza
Price: $11,134
Cost To Insure: $954
Curb Weight: 2756 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.0 liter inline-four
HP: 127
TQ: 131

Driver Stereotype: Molly Maid employee

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Not much can happen to a car when it spends the majority of its life sitting outside of large Hollywood mansions all day.

15.) Honda Accord
Price: $20,905
Cost To Insure: $951
Curb Weight: 3230 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.4 liter inline-four
HP: 177
TQ: 161

Driver Stereotype: Anti-Toyota

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The sedate Accord lulls drivers to a meditative state causing perfect driving habits and extreme awareness, lessening any sort of slip ups.

14.) Jeep Wrangler
Price: $20,710
Cost To Insure: $939
Curb Weight: 3782 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.8 liter V6
HP: 202
TQ: 237

Driver Stereotype: Obnoxious Dave Matthews Band-listening, bandanna-wearing frat boys

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The Wrangler was specifically built for douchebag frat boys and therefore features a virtually indestructible body and chassis making repairs all but non-existent.

13.) VW Passat
Price: $28,300
Cost To Insure: $936
Curb Weight: 3344 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.0 liter inline-four
HP: 200
TQ: 207

Driver Stereotype: Grown Dub boys

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Considering the Passat never moves due to repetitive electrical problems it is never put in harms way, allowing for a much lower insurance premium.

12.) Mazda Mazda5
Price: $17,995
Cost To Insure: $929
Curb Weight: 3417 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.3 liter inline-four
HP: 153
TQ: 148

Driver Stereotype: MX-5 driver's family car

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Typically driven by MX-5 drivers when they've got their kids in toe, the Zoom, Zoom nature of the Mazda5 allows for quick maneuvers to escape from the rest of the crazy drivers out there.

11.) Scion xB
Price: $15,750
Cost To Insure: $881
Curb Weight: 3020 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.4 liter turbo inline-four
HP: 158
TQ: 162

Driver Stereotype: E-tards

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The typical driver of a Scion xB never really leaves the rave, instead spends hours upon hours upon delicious hours licking the glass repeating, "The snozberries taste like snozberries."

10.) Chrysler Town & Country
Price: $26,355
Cost To Insure: $871
Curb Weight: 4387 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.5 liter V6
HP: 244
TQ: 240

Driver Stereotype: Self fulfilling prophecy

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: A perceived level of luxury is exhibited by the typical Town & Country driver, causing them to drive even more carefully back and forth from their kids Montessori schools and cricket matches. See Caravan to see the lesser of the ChryCo minivan driver's habits.

9.) Mazda Tribute
Price: $19,730
Cost To Insure: $913
Curb Weight: 3276 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.5 liter inline-four
HP: 171
TQ: 171

Driver Stereotype: I haz no care for Zoom, Zoom

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Tribute drivers lurk quietly in traffic with hardly anyone ever taking notice, not even enough to ram them from behind.

8.) Saturn Vue
Price: $23,280
Cost To Insure: $911
Curb Weight: 3689 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.4 liter inline-four
HP: 169
TQ: 161

Driver Stereotype: I'm a new kind of car company

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Brought over as the Saturn version of the Opel Antara, most people avoid the Vue with the expectation that the Euro-wannabe driver won't speak English causing an annoying, pain-in-the-ass insurance swap.

7.) Smart ForTwo
Price: $11,990
Cost To Insure: $881
Curb Weight: 2315 lbs
Engine Displacement: 1.0 liter inline-three
HP: 70
TQ: 68

Driver Stereotype: Tries to out-smug a Prius driver

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Like the annoying fly that you just can't swat and kill, the ForTwo manages to avoid all conflict by being small and zippy, plus nobody seems to want manslaughter charges for when the driver gets squashed after a 10 mph accident.

6.) Honda Odyssey
Price: $26,355
Cost To Insure: $871
Curb Weight: 4387 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.5 liter V6
HP: 244
TQ: 240

Driver Stereotype: Does not drive for the thrill of driving

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Odyssey drivers are busy reaching around and smacking the shit out of their kids, leaving very little time for accidents, so they generally avoid them.

5.) Kia Rio5
Price: $13,325
Cost To Insure: $870
Curb Weight: 2438 lbs
Engine Displacement: 1.6 liter inline-four
HP: 110
TQ: 107

Driver Stereotype: Typically doesn't care about cars

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The Rio5 is so ugly that most drivers avoid any physical contact with them in fear that some of the ugly will rub off. Score one for Kia.

4.) Kia Sedona
Price: $21,245
Cost To Insure: $857
Curb Weight: 4365 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.8 liter V6
HP: 250
TQ: 253

Driver Stereotype: Anti-Odyssey

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: This thing is so boring that they should have named it the Kia Sedative. It rarely leaves the driveway unless absolutely necessary, dramatically reducing its potential for road carnage.

3.) Hyundai Entourage
Price: $23,995
Cost To Insure: $848
Curb Weight: 4400 lbs
Engine Displacement: 3.8 liter V6
HP: 250
TQ: 253

Driver Stereotype: Anti-Odyssey/Sedona

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Should be renamed to Hyundai Ento...zzzzz. See Kia Sedona.

2.) Kia Sportage
Price: $16,695
Cost To Insure: $840
Curb Weight: 3230 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.0 liter inline-four
HP: 140
TQ: 136

Driver Stereotype: High school band geek

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: Typically the Sportage is doing exactly the opposite of what its name implies, instead it spends its life carting tubas and other brass instruments between Mom's house and band practice which coincidentally is just down the street. Also, the lack of party invites virtually eliminates any sort of under-the-influence driving.

1.) Hyundai Santa Fe
Price: $21,695
Cost To Insure: $832
Curb Weight: 3727 lbs
Engine Displacement: 2.7 liter V6
HP: 185
TQ: 183

Driver Stereotype: Not concerned with brand image

Jalopnik Insurance Cost Analysis: The Santa Fe, while having an unbelievably ridiculous name, is actually quite attractive limiting surrounding driver's desire to crash repeatedly into it. For complete opposite, see Kia Rio5.

Use the arrows and the plus signs to click around the image at various hot objects—LucasArts style—and discover people doing, well, things. Many of the people are well-endowed women. Make sure you click with the sound on as the creators have made an excellent effort at depicting audio depth.

Warning: While nothing explicit happens in the pictures, there is enough implied seediness to make this potentially NSFW.

Source: Qinetiq

You think an 18-year-old minivan doesn't qualify for this series? Sure, I could have shot any number of mid-80s examples, but come on- look at the patina! This van has been taking a beating ever since Saddam Hussein crossed the line in the sand.


Also, it's clearly a parts runner for the primered Hell Project Alfa in the driveway. One of the side windows is a duct-tape/garbage bag combo, and some of the other windows are left open 24/7, rain or shine.


You could get a 100-horse 2.5 inline four in '90, but the emblems on this one indicate that the Mitsubishi 3.0 or 3.5 liter V6 (packing 142 or 150 horsepower, respectively) motivates this Alfa-parts-haulin' machine. And, yes, that's an early-60s Impala in the driveway next door.

10.) Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit

9.) Mazda Mazda5

The Mazda5 may seem like an unconventional choice for a live-in automobile, but it offers a lot for a little. Based on the sporty Mazda3 platform, the Mazda5 has the benefits of a small economy car: good mileage, low cost-of-ownership and affordability. It also offers some of the benefits of a minivan: sliding doors, three-row seating, fold-out table, under-floor storage and fold-flat seats. The possibility of getting one with a manual, no longer a possibility with most vans, makes it the perfect choice for a down-on-their-luck dad who still likes to drive but may have to outrun creditors.
Price New: $18,665 (base)
Price Used: $12,500 and up

8.) Ford Econoline

We imagine people have been jamming Econoline as long as people have been living in vans. They're cheap. They're big. They're available in a privacy-enhancing panel version. When Chris Farley's motivation speaker said he was "living in a van down by the river" he was almost certainly talking about a Ford Econoline. The panel version is the cheapest model and, though it lacks carpeting, has ample room for an air mattress or stolen love seat. A top-of-the-line conversion Econoline from the 1980s can be had with a TV/VCR combo, reclining bed, wood inserts and velour drapes. If it's good enough for Mike Watt, it's good enough for us.
Price New: $23,940 (E-150)
Price Used: $3,000 and up

7.) Honda Element

The Honda Element may be one of the most configurable cars available. The SUV with the soul of a Civic, the Element's seats can be stowed, laid-out or removed as necessary. All of the Honda's seats can be folded backwards to create two long, thin beds. This is the ideal living space for a close couple not willing to face the harsh elements outside of an Element. Additionally, the water resistant interior means that you can hose off the interior after it collects the various liquids of life. Those with a little extra dough can get an ECAMPER conversion for a true camper experience.
Price New: $20,990
Price Used: $8,500 and up

6.) Chevy Suburban

There have been a few large SUV models in America's history, but none of them have lived as long as the Suburban, which holds the record for longest continuous nameplate in production. That's good if you're looking for parts for your new home. An increase in gas prices has caused an increase in availability and a decrease in price (the base model came with a 5.7-liter V8). Now that gas prices have dropped along with the economy, it's now even affordable to drive. At over 18-feet long, the Suburban's interior rivals some small studios. The GMT400 models from the 1990s could have come with the 6.5-liter diesel, which is perfect for long nights of idling to keep the heat running. Older models are tough and cheap while newer models get more expensive but offer more in the way of creature comforts.
Price New: $40,820
Price Used: $2,500 and up (GMT400)

5.) Volvo 740 Wagon

A Volvo station wagon is a great choice for a family looking for a safe place to live and the Volvo 740 is perhaps the best balance of value and space. Nearly 16-feet long, the early 1990s models run cheap and aklthough not fast, they're quite roomy. Most importantly, the build quality and reliability of the last model years of the 740 are among the highest of any vehicle Volvo's ever built. When you get kicked out of your gated community you can also use it to sneak back in as a soccer mom and not as someone who uses a soccer ball for a pillow.
Price New: N/A
Price Used: $2,000 and up

4.) Dodge Caravan

What better way to celebrate your new life in a failing economy than buying a car from afailing automaker? Kids love the Caravan because of the cool features, like the fold-out table, DVD player with A/V hookup for the video games, fold-flat seats, tall roofs and many storage spaces. When the kids ask why they spend all the time at the beach and never go home just tell them it's like that vacation you took to Florida.. except it never ends. A small family could do much worse than life in a Caravan or its ritzy Town & Country brother, though we recommend a third generation if you want all of those features.
Price New: $28,500
Price Used: $14,500 and up (third gen), $2,500 and up (second gen)

3.) Ford Flex

The automotive gypsy lifestyle once meant big vans or SUVs but the era of the crossover is here. Balancing van-like space and amenities with car-like handling, the crossover could be the sleeping place of choice for the next Great Depression. The Ford Flex might be the best choice for those who may soon be evicted but are currently of some means. The long, seven-seater Flex offers space, comfort and luxury in a package that looks like a house. Throw in a fridge in the second row console that can fit a six-pack of beer and you've got quite a home.
Price New: $28,295 (base)
Price Used: $25,000 (or even as low as $7,500 off of a repossession. How meta is that anyway?)

2.) Volkswagen Vanagon/EuroVan Westfalia

The Westfalia VWs were designed for living for, though not necessarily for extended periods of time. Offered through VW, the Westfalias were essentially a Volkswagen Vanagon or EuroVan with a camper top that folds out to create a living space. Many also came equipped with small refrigerators, stovetops, sink and other appliances. The Vanagon pictured above was created by this guy to be an all-season living space. They no longer sell the Westy here in the US new, so you'll have to find one on the used market.
Price New: N/A
Price Used: $6,000 and up (Vanagon) $12,000 and up (EuroVan Weekender)

1.) Dodge Sprinter

There's really nothing like a Dodge Sprinter commercial van if you have to live your life on wheels. Daddy Coppola turned one into a portable studio and we'd be proud to live in one. Based on the Mercedes Sprinter van, this is the Mercedes of commercial vans. At nearly 23-feet long, nine-feet tall and six-feet wide the cargo area of a Sprinter is a cave. Throw in a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, 12-volt power outlet and a hydraulic jack and you're traveling the US in comfort. For real style you can convert your Sprinter into a Mercedes with a few cheap trim pieces. In extended form there's enough room in the back for a bed, small couch, table and desk. High-mileage, used cargo versions can be found at quite a reasonable price. And, we hear it may actually be bigger than Wert's entire place in Manhattan — and for 1/10th the price new!
Price New: $42,170
Price Used: $14,000

The plant was down to one shift already; after the closure, Chrysler will source the Grand Caravan and Town & Country from its Windsor, Ontario minivan plant. Additionally, on Sept. 2, the St. Louis North truck plant will be pared down to one shift, resulting in about 900 layoffs. Chrysler had spent approximately $800 million in plant improvements to the two facilites over the past two years, so look for Cerberus to increase the price of a Town & Country Limited from $36,755 to $288,995 in an effort to recoup costs. Union leaders speculate that some of Chrysler's decision was based on political circumstances, as both St. Louis facilities voted down last fall's master contract between Chrysler and the UAW, ratifying it only after significant negotiations. Health care costs may also have played a part: According to Glenn Kage Jr., financial secretary at UAW Local 136, Chrysler can make minivans in Windsor, Ontario, for $1,000 per vehicle less than St. Louis South because of the savings to the company of Canada's national health care system.
[Automotive News (Sub. Req.)]

[YouTube]

Sexy-ass Murilee (who is getting a real run for her money from Siler) posted about fellow diva Tina Turner hocking of all cars Dodge Caravans Plymouth Voyagers. And ash78 absolutely made my day:

Perfect tie-in. Our old Voyager required regular smacking to keep it in line

We all have one. Whether it's that Boss 428 with the Detroit Lokkas that you just can't beat in a straight line, a Park Avenue 'Scraper that insults your automotive aesthetic or the stupid motorcycle cop with the radar gun that hides behind the telephone pole on Riverside Drive (yeah, him), somebody is always out to ruin your drive. Allow me to go first. It doesn't matter where I am, what road or the time of day. Somehow, someway, a first-generation Dodge Caravan going double digits under the limit will invariably wind up in front me. I just don't get it. Every other bail-out K-Car built has long since rusted away or blown something vital. Yet thousands of Caravans (slowly) soldier on. And 9 times out of 10 they're blue. I don't get that part, either. I nearly died in a Boxster trying to pass one on the two-lane, blind-corner insanity that is Decker Canyon. I hate them. Seriously, mid-80s Dodge Caravans are my sworn automotive enemy. Plymouth Voyagers, too. You? – Jonny Lieberman

Question Of The Day: What's The Womanliest Car? [Internal]

While walking in Tudor City this weekend, that higher than First Avenue midtown east enclave of diplomatic immunity from parking tickets, I found two examples of people rolling in vehicles which one would not expect. Top among them is the Jews for Jesus "Manhattan Division," who apparently roll in a vehicle as confusing as their name suggests, i.e. a Plymouth Voyager minivan. This is of course rivaled only by what I've now found to be the diplomat's car of choice in these UN-is-irrelevant times. And no, it's not a Lincoln town car, or even a Cadillac sedan of some sort. Actually, it's another piece of Mopar not-so-much muscle...

...the Dodge Caravan. Apparently — as you can see below — even a soccer mom can be a diplomat. – Ray Wert

Related:
Detroit Vs. New York: Who's The Man? [internal]

Well, seeing as the cat's out of the bag on the Town & Country, the Caravan's like-platformed cousin, after we all saw it lose its virginity to the scary lawlessness that is the interwebs this week, it was only time before we'd see the Dodge version. And here it is — in all it's red-hued glory. Look at that aggressive front end, those features like a table and like, a conversation mirror and stuff. I mean, come on — doesn't it just scream SexyBack? Well, it certainly screams it to the 'merican side of the German-American hybrid — because they're betting the bank on them to bring in beaucoup bucks. Unlike the Chrysler shots we posted yesterday that came to us from places far and wide on the net, these ones come courtesy of the embargo breakers at Cars.com. In addition to the lovely pics we've set up in a gallery for you below, we've also got a nice little chunk of the press release below to give you the skinny on all of the little doo-dads and kit these new family-haulers are prettied up with. And by all means, if you've already forgotten what the Caravan's sibling looks like — here's a reminder. – Ray Wert

ALL-NEW 2008 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY MINIVANS RAISE THE BAR FOR THE MINIVAN SEGMENT

Fifth generation of industry-leading Chrysler Group minivans to arrive this fall
All-new exterior and interior design for a more contemporary appearance
Thirty-five new or improved features make the 2008 Chrysler Group minivans "family rooms on wheels"
Five models, three distinct seating and storage systems and three powertrains, including a minivan-first six-speed transaxle, offer the right ingredients for any active lifestyle

The all-new 2008 Dodge and Chrysler minivans once again prove they have the right ingredients to be the best vehicles to move people and cargo. With 35 new and improved features, the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country aren't just practical vehicles, they also have the right mix to be "family rooms on wheels," with something for everyone to enjoy.

"The all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan spice up the minivan recipe by offering an all-new contemporary appearance, five different models, three distinct seating and storage systems, unmatched entertainment systems and the safety you expect and deserve," said George Murphy, Senior Vice President - Chrysler Group Marketing. "Add in three powertrain options, clever interior features and industry-leading functionality, and you have a recipe that will be a favorite with any family."

The newest ingredient for functional family seating is the all-new Swivel 'n Go seating system. Swivel 'n Go offers second row seats that swivel 180 degrees to face the third row with a removable table that installs between the two rows, covered storage bins in the floor of the second row, third-row uncovered storage and fold-in-the-floor third-row seating. Swivel 'n Go also offers an available industry-first integrated child booster seat in the second-row quad chair and an available minivan-exclusive one-touch power-folding third-row 60/40 bench seat.

"Chrysler Group engineers turned the tables on traditional seat systems to come up with a technology that lets families have more choices of how to spend their time while traveling," said Larry Lyons, Vice President - Chrysler Group Front-wheel-drive Product Team. "With Swivel 'n Go, second- and third-row passengers can face each other to have a conversation, play games or have a meal on the go."

Safety is a key part of any minivan recipe, and that continues to be true with the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. All-row supplemental side-curtain air bags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with traction control and brake assist, LATCH child seat anchor system and a patented, energy-absorbing steering column are among the standard safety features included in the 2008 Dodge and Chrysler minivans. Innovations like an industry-first integrated child booster seat, ParkView rear back-up camera, a rearview interior conversation mirror, integrated child safety seat and ParkSense rear back-up system also ensure peace of mind while traveling.

MINIVAN INNOVATION LEADERSHIP

The modern minivan was invented by the former Chrysler Corporation in 1983. Since then, the Chrysler Group has sold more than 11 million minivans and invented more than 60 minivan firsts that not only have revolutionized the minivan segment, but made their way into other vehicle segments as well.

"Chrysler Group is the leader in bringing innovations to the minivan segment, and those innovations seem to have an uncanny way of ending up in other products," said Lyons. "Integrated child safety seats, dual-zone temperature controls, a power liftgate and DVD entertainment are just some of the features that started in a minivan, but are now available in other vehicle segments."

For 2008, the Chrysler Town & Country (sold as the Chrysler Grand Voyager in most markets outside North America) and Dodge Grand Caravan offer value, functionality, safety and a package of innovative features that no other manufacturer can match. With 35 new or improved features, the all-new 2008 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan offer consumers a home away from home.

"The 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan offer the best amenities for today's busy families," said Murphy. "With a dual DVD system that plays different media at the same time, pinpoint LED lighting to read by, a table to play games or finish homework, a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic, power sliding doors and liftgate and YES Essentials cloth seats, every member of the family will enjoy their journey."

UNMATCHED FUNCTIONALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT

The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country have spiced up the recipe for minivan success to include a place for everything. A premium, multi-function, front-row sliding console, dual glove boxes, second-row covered storage bins, third-row storage area and clever storage bins and pockets offer more places to store things than ever before.

Three distinct seating configurations are available for 2008 in North America. They include a second-row bench seat with second-row covered storage bins and third-row fold-in-the-floor seating, a Stow 'n Go seating and storage system that offers the only second- and third-row fold-in-the-floor seats in the industry and the new Swivel 'n Go seating that allows the second row seats to swivel 180 degrees to face rearward. Swivel 'n Go also includes a removable table that fits between the second and third rows with a fold-in-the-floor third-row seat. A one-touch power-folding third-row seat also is available.

Available comfort and convenience features include a new, removable sliding front console that is large enough to store a purse; remote start; heated first- and second-row leather or cloth seats; rearview interior conversation mirror; YES Essentials stain-resistant, odor-resistant, anti-static cloth fabric; a removable flashlight in the rear quarter panel; first- and second-row power windows; second- and third-row retractable sun shades; power sliding doors; power liftgate with power button on the key fob and rear-pillar, ambient halo lighting; movable, pinpoint Light Emitting Diode (LED) reading lamps; map lights; and a dual- or tri-zone heating and cooling system.

"To get the best recipe of comfort, security and flexibility that fits any lifestyle, we added comfort features like remote start, heated first- and second-row cloth or leather seats and ambient lighting, then mixed in standard safety features like all-row supplemental side-curtain air bags and ESP," said Ann Fandozzi, Director - Chrysler Group Front-wheel-drive Product Marketing. "Clever features found in the 2008 Chrysler Group minivans include a 'Swiss-army-knife-like' sliding front console and a removable flashlight in the rear quarter panel."

Entertainment features include a dual DVD, multimedia entertainment system that can play different media at the same time, MyGIG CD/DVD/HDD/MP3/satellite radio with voice-activated capability, touch screen and real-time traffic and navigation, UConnect hands-free communication system with Bluetooth technology, mesh side pockets on the second-row seats that can hold iPods, hand-held gaming systems or beverages, 110V inverter, two second-row output/input jacks with a 12-volt power outlet and an overhead console with bins large enough to store headphones.

Related:
New for 2008! Chrysler Minivan! [internal]

UPDATE: Chrysler Group's asked us to take down these two pictures as they've promised to request the same from our original source. We've agreed, and given them some time to do just that. Don't we all just LOVE embargoes?

Related:
More on the Caravan [internal]

Dodge Avenger, minivans coming [Freep]

Related:
Not Yet Production! Dodge Releases Avenger "Concept" In A Barrage Of Bold; Spy Photos: 2008 Chrysler Town And Country [internal]

Chrysler's using the same idea as the "if you can find a better car, buy it" ads — except this time they're striking straight into foreign territory with some humor in these web-only BBDO Detroit ads designed to push import-owners into buying new Chrysler Group vehicles. The first commercial, above is for the Chrysler 300 and below the jump we've got ads for the Dodge Caravan and the Jeep Commander. Best line of the entire campaign's got to be "Oh, thank you Chrysler!" and the running "smooth, good flavor" gag running through them all. Glad to see the Chrysler Group marketing team's moving over to the Detroit team with this campaign, else we'd be again looking at a Dr. Z-esque explosive blast of "flavorable" poop. And plus, haven't you heard — now that we've got a cell phone lane, Detroit's the new New York. – Ray Wert

Related:
Chrysler Group's Marketing Man Makes You Wonder: "Hey Joe, Is It Time To Go?" [internal]

Related:
Spy Photos: 2008 Chrysler Caravan [internal]

There's not much new to see in this prototype of the next generation of Chrysler minivans, but these latest shots are slightly clearer than those taken in past months. The vans are being poked and prodded by engineers in the desert heat, these days, in advance of their arrival for the 2008 model year. What we know so far: They'll be boxy and relatively slab-sided; they'll have roll-down windows; they'll get a new front fascia including projector-beam headlamps; they'll be compliant with Europe's pedestrian-protection standards; and we may just see them at the next Detroit show — this January. About that Hemi rumor? Don't you believe it.

SPY PHOTOS: New Chrysler Caravan [World Car Fans]

Related:
Spy Photos: 2008 Chrysler, Dodge Minivans [internal]

The Caravanamino [Blockrocker]

Related:
All the El Camino love you can handle [internal]

We like Jonathan over at How Bourgeois. We like him even more knowing that he used to drive an '86 Dodge Caravan with Bad Religion stickers, and well, that's a vehicle we can get behind in a dork-pride kind of way. And he's further endeared himself to us by snapping shots of a disguised '08 Caravan, which apparently greatly displeased the people carrier's drivers. Score one for the punk rock family man.

HB Ride Spotting: People Carriers Rejoice (2008 Dodge Caravan) [How Bourgeois]

Related:
Spy Photos: 2008 Chrysler Minivan [Internal]

The Car Connection procured some new spy shots of the next-generation Chrysler minivan, in brain-jamming polka dots and obfuscatory cladding. Still, gone is the egg-like comportment (is that a hood?) for both Chrysler and Dodge versions, in favor of a more chiseled, slab-sided design to match those of the company's later models, like the 300C, Durango and Caliber. According to TCC, VW's new minivan, set to share a platform with these vans, is close to the design-freeze stage. We're still hoping for something like this.

Spy Shots: 08 Chrysler Minivans [The Car Connection]

Related:
>Spy Photos: 2008 Chrysler, Dodge Minivans [internal]

The Detroit auto show is barely a distant memory (at least for media types) and we've already got a line on one of the banner vehicles for next year's show. As these spy photos indicate, Chrysler's next-generation minivans, to be introduced for the 2008 model year, will be divorced from the oval and reintroduced to the square, with a new comportment that owes more to the current Dodge Magnum wagon than to the Presidential Pod from "Escape from New York." Spies say stow-and-go seating will stay, but the rest of the soccer-mom special will wave goodbye. Engines may include a V8 (Hemi minivan!) and a VW-sourced diesel. (Dig that crazy Photochop.)

2008 Chrysler Voyager (Dodge Caravan) Spy Photos [American Car Fans]

Related:
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