Advertisement feature: Stow ’n Go the unique answer

Stow ’n Go the unique answer

With the new 2005 Grand Voyager, Chrysler has solved one of the great conundrums facing owners of multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs): how to address the competing demands of passengers and luggage.

Every new Grand Voyager is now fitted as standard with Chrysler’s unique and revolutionary ‘Stow n’ Go’ seating system, which enables the second and third rows of seats to be folded flat into the vehicle floor.

In a mere 30 seconds, the 2005 Grand Voyager can be transformed from a seven-seater people carrier into a capacious holdall with a maximum carrying capacity of a massive 4,690 litres.

By comparison, the Renault Grand Espace can accommodate just 3,050 litres of cargo, even when all five rear seats are removed.

The success of the Stow ’n Go system lies in its use of high-tech materials and clever design solutions. For the first time in a people carrier, Chrysler’s engineers have employed Super High Density (SHD) foam cushioning, which was originally developed by NASA to improve the seat comfort of astronauts. The use of SHD ensures the seats are compact and light enough to be folded, without any diminution in comfort or support.

The middle row of seats comprises of two generous ‘captain’s chairs’, which can be folded flat in a single, one-handed operation to leave a perfectly flat load bay. The rearmost seats, by contrast, consist of a 60/40 split rear bench which has been engineered to fold into the rear storage bin.

The split configuration makes it possible to accommodate both long, awkwardly shaped loads and six passengers, while the storage bins eliminate the risk of damage to the seat backs when the seats are folded. The rear bench can also be flipped to provide comfortable picnic seating with the tailgate offering protection against the elements.

To accommodate the folded Stow ’n Go mechanism, the underbody and floor structure of the 2005 Grand Voyager has been extensively redesigned. The fuel tanks, exhaust system and rear suspension units have all been re-invented to accommodate the folded seats. It is testament to the skill of Chrysler’s engineers that the Stow ’n Go system has been accommodated without any increase in the vehicle’s exterior dimensions.

Indeed, the redesign has actually increased the luggage capacity of the Grand Voyager when all seven seats are in place. New storage bins provide an additional 340 litres of storage, further enhancing the practicality of this exceptional vehicle.

Stow n’ Go is unique in the full-size MPV class and is sure to appeal to business users who demand the ultimate in flexibility. No longer will chauffeur companies, for example, by required to choose between maximising the vehicle’s people or cargo-carrying capacity.

With prices from just £25,720 on the road for the 2.8 CRD LX, the 2005 Grand Voyager could easily be described as the ultimate multi-purpose vehicle.

Stow 'n Go enables large or awkward loads to be carried without the need to remove and store cumbersome seats: both rows simply fold effortlessly into the floor.

Stow 'n Go also offers useful 'picnic seating' - another feature unique to the Grand Voyager

Stow 'n Go

Now you see them - now you don't:
Stow 'n Go enables both rows of rear seats to fold into the floor in a simple one-handed operation.

The 2005 Grand Voyager

For 2005, Chrysler has built on the successful 2004 relaunch of the Voyager and Grand Voyager with a series of detail improvements that further enhance the MPV’s appeal. The front-end styling now accommodates the new face of Chrysler with a strident winged badge, restyled grille and quad projector lamps. The new ‘face’ is complemented by new bodyside mouldings, wheel covers and alloy wheels.

Occupants now enjoy an improved sound system with uprated 360 Watt Infinity speakers and a new AM/FM CD stereo. And the benefits of this system are enhanced by a 16% reduction in cabin noise, vibration and harshness, compared with the 2004 model.

As well as enjoying the revolutionary attributes of Chrysler’s Stow ’n Go seating system, Grand Voyager customers are provided with a new overhead rail system. Standard on Limited and Limited XS variants, the rail incorporates an overhead console with up to six moveable and removable storage bins, rear temperature controls and an optional DVD screen.

Every Voyager model also boasts a comprehensive range of safety equipment that, for 2005, is further boosted by additional curtain airbags for the third row of passengers. Both Voyager and Grand Voyager now offer curtain airbag protection for every occupant.

Power at your fingertips

The Chrysler Grand Voyager is offered with the choice of either a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine or a 2.8 CRD common-rail turbodiesel.

The 2.8 CRD offers an unbeatable blend of power, refinement and low running costs. Best-in-class torque output of 265lb ft is available at just 2,100rpm providing effortless pull, with combined fuel consumption of 28.9mpg and CO2 emissions of just 225g/km.

The 3.3-litre V6 also offers a spritely turn of pace, thanks to a power output of 172bhp and 205lb ft of torque.