Automotive
Chrysler just let its minivan off the leash. The brand new Pacifica Grizzly Peak concept breaks cover at Overland Expo Mountain West in Loveland, Colorado, a gathering built around dirt, camp coffee and DIY travel. The three day event runs August 22 to 24, which makes this the proper stage to indicate an AWD family hauler that’s suddenly fascinated with trailheads as much as school drop-off.
The stance tells the story first. Chrysler’s design studio bumped the suspension 2.75 inches up front and a couple of.5 inches in back, then stuffed the arches with 31 inch BFGoodrich KO2 all terrains on 18 inch Foreshadow wheels. A Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform sits up top, flanked by TYRI auxiliary lighting and an ARB retractable awning for fast shade at camp. Baja Designs LP4 pods live within the lower fascia, and the lower body wears protective wrap with Mopar splash guards to ward off pinstripes and gravel rash. The concept also gets a matte Arktos paint finish with Foreshadow accents that suits its latest backcountry mission.
Inside, Grizzly Peak leans into the van life transient. The third row bows out in favor of a flat cargo floor panel, making a configurable sleep and kit zone, and Chrysler adds a second set of tie downs behind the second row plus a 115 volt, 450 watt power outlet in back for fridges or camera batteries. The cabin gets a Cement Gray and Liquid Titanium theme with Katzkin leather, orange seat belts, a sport wheel with dimple perforation and paddle shifters, and a handful of useful Mopar bits like stackable totes, all weather mats, an area saver spare and a roadside first aid kit.
If you happen to are wondering why a minivan is moonlighting as an overlander, the logic checks out. The Pacifica already has available all wheel drive and the form of packaging that road trippers love, so starting with the segment’s familiar family favorite and adding clearance, grip and camp friendly storage is a simple option to speak to the booming van life crowd. The production model’s available Trailer Tow Group is rated to drag as much as 3,600 kilos, handy for a small trailer or pair of dirt bikes.
As with most tidy concept ideas, the one query is whether or not customers can actually buy it. Chrysler is looking Grizzly Peak a test bed and is actively in search of feedback from adventurers, which appears like a toe within the water somewhat than a green light. There aren’t any production details yet, however the formula feels right. If Chrysler packages an analogous off road appearance and hardware bundle for dealers, families who split weekends between soccer fields and forest roads might finally have a one vehicle solution that does each without drama.
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Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate enthusiast with over 15 years of experience immersed on the earth of cars. Whether it’s exploring the newest advancements in automotive technology or keeping an in depth pulse on breaking industry news, Lloyd brings a pointy perspective and a deep appreciation for all things automotive. His writing blends technical insight with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions each informative and interesting for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or under the hood, Lloyd enjoys test driving the latest models and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
