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2016 Dodge Caravan Confirmed By Spy Shots

2016 Dodge Caravan Confirmed By Spy Shots

While minivans have long been replaced by SUVs as Americans' family haulers of choice, they remain a key part of the history of FCA, the corporation also known as Fiat Chrysler, which invented the segment 33 years ago. Chrysler has already said it plans to launch a new version of the Town & Country at next year's Detroit auto show, but has said the Dodge Grand Caravan would die in its current form.

So what's this minivan-shaped test car covered in camoflauge doing with Dodge badges all over it?

As caught by automotive photographers SpiedBilde, this is likely the 2016 Dodge Caravan; we say "likely" because things have a way of changing at Chrysler right up to a deadline. The photos match the shape of the other test minivans caught earlier — built off the same Fiat-derived platform that underpins the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 sedans. The new minvan is expected to use the 3.2-liter V-6 or some variant of Fiat-Chrysler's four-cylinder; Chrysler has also said the minvan will be its first plug-in hybrid, and could easily adopt an all-wheel-drive system to compete more effectively with the Toyota Sienna.

Dodge logos and instrument panel in spy vehicle.
Dodge logos and instrument panel in spy vehicle.

But that's a Dodge dashboard in this van all right, along with Dodge wheels and taillights that mimic the Durango and Charger. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne has said the Caravan name would live on in some form, and it's entirely possible that it will do so as it always has, as a value option against the more expensive, luxury-trimmed Town & Country.

But these shots also show how much of a challenge Chrysler may face. The 200 sedan and Dart have been knocked for tight passenger spaces; these shots makes the proto-Caravan look a bit lower, albeit sleeker, than the rolling living rooms from Honda and Toyota. We'll have to wait until January to see what Chrysler has cooked up that might change the game again. Might we suggest "Dodge Caravan Hellcat"?