Spy Shots: 2008 Dodge Caravan
by Erin Mays on Aug 29th 2006 at 1:27PM 
Jeremy at The Car Lounge Forums managed to snap eight great spy shots of the next Dodge Caravan undergoing hot weather testing, many of them using the subtle shoot-your-rearview-mirror technique. Despite the camo, it's clear that the minivan's design takes cues from Dodge SUVs like the Durango and Nitro with a bold crosshair grille and boxy shape. Can't see much in the way of front or rear-end styling, but the buzz continues to build for this very imporant product that DaimlerChrysler hopes will keep it on top of minivan sales in the U.S. (We're also counting Chrysler Town and Country sales, without which the Honda Odyssey would be the best seller).
Check out the link for all eight photos.
[Source: The Car Lounge Forums]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Clyde 1:40PM (8/29/2006)
Looks more like an F-250
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UberXY 1:50PM (8/29/2006)
Spy photos of a Dodge Caravan? What a waste of valuable pixels.
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Mal Fuller 1:55PM (8/29/2006)
" Can't see much in the way of front or rear-end styling, but the buzz continues to build for this very imporant product that DaimlerChrysler hopes will keep it on top of minivan sales in the U.S. (We're also counting Chrysler Town and Country sales, without which the Honda Odyssey would be the best seller)."
So Erin, if only DCX didn't count all their minivan sales they wouldn't be number 1? Why wouldn't we (and they) count all their sales?
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_O ^ O_ 1:59PM (8/29/2006)
Meh, I dont think Honda cares about selling the most minivans as long as they basically own the upper end of the minivan market. Leave the sraps for GM and DC.
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Silver 2:07PM (8/29/2006)
Forget the Caravan. Where are the spyshots of the Chrysler-built VW van? That's the one I'm curious about...
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NEBTEK2002 7:57AM (8/30/2006)
I hope they do away with stow-and-go or at least allow those of us with better sense to opt out.
I don't want a minivan with station wagon seats. I've hated all the finicky hinges and crap associated with wagon seats since I was a boy.
My father brought home sand-box sand in our
Ford Country Sedan--one bag of which leaked. The damned seats never worked right again and us kids brushed sand off our butts for months thereafter.
To haul stuff that might leak in a conventional minivan one just has to worry about 4-8 small pockets that the seat/seats click into and which are easily vacuumed out.
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Dave 10:46PM (8/29/2006)
Gosh, I really hope it has hood lines like the very attractive new Sebring!
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Tri-Bob 2:56PM (8/29/2006)
Does anyone else get tired of the spyshots? Seriously, it will look like a Dodge. It is a minivan, I have seen them with duct tape holding them together, but never a black tarp. Spy shots are so stupid, the auto companies let people see what they want them to. I am not that anxious to see a minivan, I can wait until I have to go to the showroom, being dragged by the wife kicking and screaming.
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Mark 2:47PM (8/29/2006)
What on earth are you talking about? More factually wrong info, as usual, and it probably will never be corrected. Chrysler minivans outsell Honda more than 2:1.
2006 Minivan sales YTD:
Dodge Caravan: 138,617
Honda Odyssey: 106,815
Chrysler Town & Country: 100,443
The Odyssey barely outsells the T&C.
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Ken 2:51PM (8/29/2006)
Who's the DORK in the FORD F-250 with an Earnhardt Junior license plate frame? Is that Dr. Z?
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Jim in Tampa 3:16PM (8/29/2006)
Tri-Bob's wife is kicking and screaming while dragging him around? Sounds like yall need counseling.
And I like spyshots.
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Steven John Freitas 5:10AM (8/30/2006)
Did anyone notice the un-dodge door handles. Or the fact that the bugle in the center of the grill looks exactly like the Ford pickup that is behind it in the photo? Looks more like someon got a picture of the new windstar to me.....
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fizzandpop 5:12PM (8/29/2006)
Just show the back view. That's all I'll ever see when this thing hits the street, pulls out into the left hand lane and stays there, adamantly doing 63mph.
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Nick 2:42AM (8/30/2006)
"Gosh, I really hope it has hood lines like the very attractive new Sebring!"
I like Chrysler's hood lines, they are distinctive. As this is a Dodge though, you won't find them here. How far off topic are you willing to go to take a cheap shot at an auto manufacturer?
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Lee 8:52PM (8/29/2006)
#11 - I feel your pain.
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Justin 8:34AM (8/30/2006)
11 Lol exactly.
Nice GTO.
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James 12:44AM (8/30/2006)
Guys,
These are the worst "spy photos" I have ever seen. You can tell absolutely nothing from the pictures, but no one really cares. I feel like an idiot for actually reading and looking just because I am a "spy-photo-aholic". Now there are 2 minutes I will never get back - damn.
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Anne 8:59AM (8/30/2006)
Just to set the record straight, Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country each outsold the Honda Odyssey in 2005 (US Sales).
Dodge Caravan - 226,771
Chrysler Town & Country - 180,759
Honda Odyssey - 174,275
Toyota Sienna - 161,380
Honda would have to more than double their sales to outsell Dodge and Chrysler combined.
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AR 10:35AM (8/30/2006)
Sales numbers aside, the Odyssey and Sienna are viewed as the benchmarks in the minivan class. They are viewed as the gold standard by many automotive publications. Dodge sells more units based on low pricing and incentives. Chrsyler invented the minivan but is no longer the leader.
That should set your record straight.
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Sarah Lee 10:34AM (9/02/2006)
I don't know where these pictures were taken but DCX does it's hot weather testing in the Death Valley of California/Nevada where there is nothing GREEN this time of year. Don't expect the nose to suddenly grow sharp Durango features. If DCX learned anything, they all got a good lesson in if it ain't breoke don't fix-it from the Ford Taurus debacle of the early nineties. Look for Stow 'n Go to stay, as it has revived the line. Consider the need for more horsepower and better gas MPG to be key over beltliones and hood grooves. A more comfortable second and third row seat pad is essential. It is time to get rid of the fake wood, and go more upscale. Look for a more user friendly navigation system with touch screen and back-up sensors standard.
Sarah Lee is a 20 yr. automotive professional working as a corporate fleet sales manager for a large dealer group in Las Vegas. www.mycarlady.com
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