2008 Detroit Auto Show: Grand Caravan R/T Concept Preview La Vergne TN

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What it Is

New Cars: Grand Caravan R/T Concept Preview - Take a Grand Caravan, add R/T styling elements and this is what you get. It's bright red, has a front spoiler, functional hood scoop, 20-inch SRT wheels, rear spoiler, and dark gray seats with red stitching and perforated suede inserts. There's also a reworked intake system, modified engine control unit and a sport-tuned exhaust. All of that hung off the 4.0-liter V-6. But, no, it doesn't have a Hemi. But it does have swivel seats and the little table.

What's Under the Hood

The largest engine offered in the Grand Caravan is a 4.0-liter, overhead-cam V-6, which is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The improvements from better airflow from the intake and exhaust modifications, along with a tweaked ECU, increase the horsepower to 260 and the torque to 265 lb.-ft., up from 239 and 253 respectively.

What It Looks Like

Garden variety van + "A-Team" styling = Grand Caravan R/T. All that's missing is the windshield visor, flimsy grill guard and rear wing. The R/T has more windows and a paint job that won't look dated in five minutes, but the cultural link is there even though Mr. T piloted a GMC van.

What We Think

We won't go so far as saying "We pity the fool," but what does R/T or SRT treatment have to do with a people hauler? It's not going to be impressive on the skid pad, 0-60 mph, or through the slalom, so why tart up something that doesn't need or warrant it? To take it to an auto show, of course, hoping that someone walking buy will be inspired to buy the minivan that's sitting on a dealer's lot. A custom version of the 300 sedan probably goes a little further in pushing sales than a mild performance bump on a minivan.

Bob Beamesderfer
MyRide Road Test Editor
Photo credit: Oliver Bentley

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