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2004 Chrysler Pacifica Full-Size Wagon
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Inside there are three rows of seats with individual buckets for rows one and two and a split bench in back that cradles two comfortably or three in a pinch.
Layout of the large cabin mimics the plan of an old station wagon, but it's also similar to the cab of a modern minivan or even a three-seat sport-utility vehicle.
And the overriding concept behind this design seems to merge attributes of the station wagon, minivan and SUV.
Chrysler builds it as a 2004 model under the badge of Pacifica.
Consider it a new crossover vehicle -- the platform comes from a conventional full-size sedan (Chrysler's 300M flagship) and the body resembles either a high-hiked station wagon or dropped-down SUV but the function combines traits of the wagon, sport-ute and minivan.
Chrysler even coined a new car category for Pacifica, calling it a Sport Tourer.
The sport end of the title stems from performance characteristics and the driving manners of a tautly-tuned sports sedan.
The tourer title comes from the European tradition of calling a wagon-type vehicle the touring model.
End result becomes a vehicle with practical attributes of a wagon but the fun-to-drive nature of a sports sedan.
Chrysler is making two versions of Pacifica, one oriented with front-wheel-drive (FWD) and the other with on-demand all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction.
First to market is the Pacifica AWD packing premium equipment plus luxury gear for the MSRP of $32,300.
Following later will be the Pacifica FWD with its MSRP chipped down to $30,550. Beneath the aerodynamically smooth hoodline, Pacifica AWD packs a progressive 3.5-liter V6 with single cam configuration and four valves in each cylinder.
Specific tuning boosts the output to 250 hp at 6400 rpm, with torque skewed to 250 lb-ft at 3950 rpm.
This Chrysler engine delivers dynamic power yet still can operate on regular-grade 87 octane gasoline. It also earns respectable fuel economy figures -- 17 mpg for city driving and 22 mpg on the road.
The plant teams with an electronically-controlled automatic four-speed transmission. To animate the action, Chrysler adds an AutoStick, which brings shift-it-yourself choices like a manual stick only without having to ply a clutch.
