Spotted in Illinois: Dodge Caravan "hybrid"

Merritt Johnson — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:45:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Chrysler, Dodge

Click the image above for a high-res view.

An eagle-eyed reader has spotted a hybrid Dodge Caravan in the Chicago, Illinois area. Don't get your panties in a bunch, though, as this hybrid is not the sort consumers have come to know and love as of late. This Caravan has no electrical propulsion system, but rather two front ends. Before Honda and Toyota forever tied the hybrid term to gasoline-electric drivetrains, it was used to describe vehicles constructed out of various donor parts, such as this one. After all, no one has yet marketed a better name for dual front fascia automobiles. Now obviously this Caravan looks nothing like the one in which your mom carpooled you to soccer practice. Especially since hers probably had a rear end. However, that might be where the differences end, at least from what we can tell. Besides the obvious exterior alterations, there are no hints at what other tricks the minivan might have up its sleeve. It makes for a pretty clever advertisement for an alignment shop though. Nothing quite screams we're good at getting the wheels straight more than a vehicle equipped with two steering racks. Not to mention the fact that the paint happens to be the color of the Incredible Hulk. Although, as far as utility goes, we can't image it would make a good shop runner since chopping off the rear hatch looks to have significantly reduced available cargo space. Be sure and check out the lime green Dodge Caravan that couldn't help but catch a reader's eye in the gallery below and judge for yourself. Thanks for the tip Bdubb!

Gallery: Dodge Caravan "Hybrid"

Spotted in Illinois: Dodge Caravan "hybrid" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GMC to add minivan by 2009

Erin Mays — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 07:09:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Buick, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Pontiac

For some, it might beg the question, "you're joking, right?" But according to Edmunds' Inside Line, General Motors is planning to roll out a minivan for the 2009 model year and, well, nobody's laughing. The Lambda-based sibling of the next-generation Chevrolet Uplander seeks to fill the gap between the young, affluent couples and empty nesters the GMC Acadia is expected to appeal to -- namely families. As it hits the market, GM will take the Saturn Relay, Pontiac Montana and Buick Terraza off the lots, leaving the truck manufacturer as the only brand in the GMC-Pontiac-Buick triumvirate with a minivan.

No word yet on when the HUMMER-badged Uplander will hit the streets.

[Source: Edmunds InsideLine]

GMC to add minivan by 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 07:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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