Saturday, December 1, 2012

LA Show 2012 Highlights: 2013 Chrysler Town & Country S

Chrysler hopes the lightning that has struck the 200 and 300 S models can spark sales to new minivan customers for the model that enjoys the segment’s highest loyalty in the business (according to RL Polk). Like its sedan siblings, the new 2013 Chrysler Town & Country S debuting at the 2012 Los Angeles auto show gets a black-chrome grille, S badging, darkened headlight surrounds, 17-inch polished-face black-painted pocket wheels, and an all-black interior with embroidering on the leather bolster/ballistic center seats. Exterior color choices include red, white, silver, or black.

Unlike the sedans, the 2013 Town & Country S gets a new Blu-Ray DVD rear-seat entertainment system as standard, with HDMI and USB ports (a claimed industry first). The $32,990 base price will position the S between the Touring L and Limited models when sales begin in May/June 2013.

As you’d expect for a Chrysler S-badged car, the 2013 Chrysler Town & Country S has a retuned suspension, though the automaker is quick to note that the ride remains as comfortable as you’d expect for a minivan. Under the hood is a 3.6-liter V-6 producing 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.
 When we tested a newly refreshed 2011 Town & Country, we found the minivan quieter than before, and sporting dynamic improvements as well. “Both around our figure-eight course and in everyday driving, the new Chrysler has a nimble turn-in that’s superior to some of Chrysler’s new sedans,” we wrote.

Sales of the Chrysler Town & Country were up 22 percent to 95,850 units through the first 10 months of 2012, but it never hurts to introduce a special-edition model to get buyers into dealerships. In a couple years, though, the Town & Country minivan may be gone altogether. We’ve heard the Chrysler minivan may be replaced by a family-oriented crossover (still called Town & Country), leaving the Dodge Grand Caravan to be redesigned in the 2015 model year. Before that happens, Chrysler hopes to attract minivan buyers away from Honda and Toyota dealerships with the new Town & Country S.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

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