Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivans/MPVs, Dodge
Out 'n about: Dodge Caravan R/T goes shopping
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Caravan R/T in the wild
Reader Joe Donaldson was out taking photos over the weekend when he happened upon a more-interesting-than-normal Dodge Caravan parked outside a Best Buy. While we generally find the terms "interesting" and "Dodge Caravan" to be mutually exclusive, we'll grant an exception here, because what Don stumbled upon was none other than a Caravan R/T sporting manufacturer tags. Is it the very same Caravan R/T that we saw in Detroit back in January? Who knows, but from the looks of things, it's identically equipped, with the hood scoop, darkened grille area, big wheels, Brembos, dual exhaust, and the requisite badging. We're not particularly big on minivans, but we thought that the Caravan R/T show car was pretty cool, and seeing it in the wild does nothing to change that opinion. Hey Chrysler, Dad might not feel as lame driving around in one of these boxes if you were to, you know, actually offer this.
Gallery: Dodge Caravan R/T in the wild
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[Source and Photos: Joe Donaldson]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JZeke 10:04AM (9/08/2008)
Now that is pretty cool. Nothing wrong with a Minivan that doesn't suck to drive.
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3seriesisking 10:10AM (9/08/2008)
Regardless, it will still be a minivan though.
Daniel 10:36AM (9/08/2008)
R63 didn't do too hot. Granted it's a bit more expensive.
Shouldn't Chrysler be focusing on things a bit more...profitable?
Mike V. 10:45AM (9/08/2008)
3series is king... and your point is???
Exactly... nothing.
This van is cool... makes a Sienna and Odyssey look silly.
I could dig a hot soccer mom cruising this bad boy... I'd drive it. Of course, I've chased a Viper through some twisties in a Caravan before... nothing like freaking out a Viper guy with a Caravan. Of course, this Caravan could probably do a lot more than the 3.0 V6 base model one I was driving that day.
3seriesisking 11:14AM (9/08/2008)
Mike, no need to start hating....
It may be cool but like Daniel said, Chrysler should probably be focusing on more profitable platforms than a glorified mini-van.
Mini-vans don't exactly sell high volumes anymore and something like this will certainly not bring in big bucks.
That's my point....regardless of how cool it might be it is still a mini-van.
Duders 11:25AM (9/08/2008)
Minivans don't sell high volume anymore? Well that was because of the big SUV boom where every 5'3" soccer mom had to drive a 5000lb behemoth. But now becuase of gas prices and the current economic downturn I'm sure the number of minivans being driven will be much higher then they were.
In any case the first gen turbo caravan was badass. If they do the same thing with this one then you'd have the ultimate sleeper.
Basically what I'm saying is if you have to cart kids and groceries around, I think you get way more rep if you've got brembos and a turbo on your van than if you j
Duders 11:26AM (9/08/2008)
ust had a baby on board sticker.
MemphisNET 11:58AM (9/08/2008)
Agreed. If you have to have a minivan, why not have a little fun with it? I loved the Chrysler T&C BlackJack Edition concept - and this looks sharp too. It's not going to carve a corner, but at least it looks good!
ambientFLIER 8:10PM (9/08/2008)
This van isn't cool at all. It's a friggin minivan with dual exhaust and stupid addons. An Odyssey is 10 times classier.
Los 10:21AM (9/08/2008)
I actually kind of like it, it's a minivan so you can't really expect too much. But hey it could be worse right?
Decent Family Hauler.
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Matt 10:27AM (9/08/2008)
I like how he's hugging the left curb. That's exactly what I do in parking lots like that to avoid big nasty pickups parking near the lines like the one next to him is doing. Why must huge full size pickups park in the first few spaces? And why back in? It's not like you're going to load a TV over that grassy hill and into the back, right? Now, if he's handicapped, then all is forgiven, but I sure don't see any blue lines.
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TJ 10:32AM (9/08/2008)
Here is what matters though:
A scoop and some wheels do not make an R/T.
What suspension/drivetrain tweaks are there?
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Mike V. 10:46AM (9/08/2008)
Well, it is lowered, has brembo brakes, and big fat forged wheels...
It is very interesting to say the least.
MajorGeek 10:53AM (9/08/2008)
Thank you. It looks like someone stopped at Pep Boyz or Zuto Zone and stuck some crap on it. Looks like any other junk on the road. Its a minivan, cut it out.
TD 10:41AM (9/08/2008)
Another Chrysler answer to a question that NO ONE is asking. As a minivan owner the last thing I want to do is draw attention to the fact that Im driving a minivan. Not to mention that if you go hot rodding in a minivan all it does is make you look like an uberdork. I can imaging my wifes reaction if I go throwing my van through the turns with my kids in the back. Brilliant.
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Logan 10:47AM (9/08/2008)
She'll get used to it.
Besides, if you're going to -have- to drive a minivan, it might as well be this one, eh? Besides, I'm sure the kids will get a kick out of racing the ricers at stoplights.
Mike V. 10:46AM (9/08/2008)
I disagree with you. I still would love to get a turbo caravan from the late 80's early 90's. Daytona struts on the front and lowering blocks on the rear will bring it down 2 inches quickly, turn up the boost and make Mustangs and Camaro's cry.
Vans can be cool and there is nothing wrong with owning one and being proud to own one. If you don't like the one you own or are embarrassed to drive one then why do you own one and why do you drive it?
adrenalnjunky 11:00AM (9/08/2008)
No one was really asking for an AWD Turbo'ed GMC S-15 or Jimmy nack in the early 90's, but the Syclone and Typhoon were very cool vehicles. No one probably requested a "really hot Taurus" yet the SHO's were great fun as well. No one asked for a '94 Caprice to become the Impala SS, but I'm glad they made that one as well.
Sometimes properly upgrading the mundane into something much more than what it was, can make a really special vehicle.
They nailed the look/stance on this Caravan, if it's got anything under the hood to match all the testosterone, it's a shame if they don't produce a limited run.
Mike V. 10:51AM (9/08/2008)
What's wrong with the fact that someone has a family and need a van but they want it to look good and drive well?
Why can't a van be sporty? What's wrong with that? Who said anyone was going to carve S-curves with the kids in the back watching Veggie tales. It isn't a SRT. It is a cool looking Van and there is nothing wrong with an R/T version.
I don't get the people on here. They will complain about anything and everything. Maybe a van like this would bring some people back to the minivan segment. To many glass half empty people around here at times.
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Daytony 3:01PM (9/09/2008)
Be it a minivan, but my wife has blown away many a fart box ricer with our 3.8l v6 minivan.