Franklin Sussex Auto Mall Blog

From the KickingTires Blog at Cars.Com … 

Minivans and cars with all-wheel drive are two of the most popular topics over at Ask.cars.com. In keeping with the popularity of both, Chrysler is adding two new safety systems to its 2009 minivans, the Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, as well as adding a fuel-saving feature on the all-wheel-drive 2009 Chrysler 300C.

Two new detection systems, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Path, will keep Chrysler minivan drivers aware of what’s happening outside their vehicle. Blind spot detectors are commonly found on luxury and near-luxury cars, not necessarily minivans. Like the current systems available, Chrysler’s will warn drivers with an icon that illuminates in the side-view mirrors when a passing vehicle enters their blind spot.

The Rear Cross Path feature also warns drivers of passing vehicles, except it does so when a vehicle is crossing the rear bumper in tricky situations, like exiting a parking space with poor visibility.

On the all-wheel-drive front, a new device on Chrysler’s rear-wheel-drive-based cars — starting with the 300C and potentially moving to the Charger — will disconnect the front drive wheels from the all-wheel-drive system when not needed, transferring power 100% to the rear wheels and saving fuel. Chrysler claims an additional 1 mpg can be gained on the 300C AWD’s 15/22 city/highway mpg rating.

Another feature slated to appear before the end of 2008 is an aftermarket wireless internet system — as if Chrysler’s minivans needed one more multimedia outlet on top of their dual-rear LCD screens, in-dash audio storage, DVD player and satellite television. Available through Chrysler’s accessories division, the system will create an internet hot spot for laptops and other devices.