We're proud to introduce the country's first ever hybrid minivan: the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. With three available trim levels — the Limited, the Touring L, and the Touring Plus — there's a well-equipped Pacifica for you and your family. The Pacifica has three rows of seating and tons of cargo room, which is enough room for even the largest brood. Discover these five reasons why your family needs the new 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Safety and Security The new Pacifica Hybrid is built to keep your loved ones safe with available features like a 360-degree surround view camera and forward collision warning. Chrysler's Advanced SafetyTec Group adds dual safety features that include lane departure warning with lane keep assist. Fuel Efficiency The new hybrid minivan by Chrysler boasts an overall driving range of an astonishing 566 miles and total electric-only driving range of 33 miles. This is plenty to get you to a station when the kids distracted you from a gas detour on the way to football practice. Because the Pacifica hybrid is less dependent on gas, driving it is like giving mother nature a friendly hug. Technology Tools The Pacifica has USB ports all over the place — up to six depending on your trim level — and the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch screen now comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With a lightning-fast 4G LTE Wi-Fi data connection, the Uconnect infotainment system has a zippier startup to go along with its intuitive software and excellent usability. Two 12-volt outlets offer enough connectivity and charging stations to keep the peace on family outings. Family-Friendly Storage Most hybrids lose a significant amount of cargo space because of their battery packs, but not the Pacifica. The innovative hybrid model offers the same 140.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row as the gas-powered Pacifica. The 2018 Hybrid features some of the world's smartest, redesigned stow-and-go seats that smoothly slide back and forth and are wider, flatter, and more comfortable than ever. An abundance of storage bins acts as an extension of home, conveniently stowing away all of your family's gear. Seating for Everyone This year's revolutionary Hybrid offers seating for seven, and you'll enjoy plenty of headroom in all three rows of seats. The second-row seats slide forward, making it easier for passengers to access the third row. The sliding passenger doors provide a generous opening for loading and unloading the family and groceries. This hybrid minivan has full sets of LATCH car-seat anchors for the younger kids on each of the second and third-row outboard seats. See for yourself how well the new Pacifica Hybrid fits with your family out there in the real world. Head on over to your Chrysler dealer now, and get the standard equipped 2018 Pacifica Hybrid with the MRSP starting at $39,995. With an upscale vibe and durable, high-quality materials, the Pacifica Hybrid is sure to make its way into your family members' hearts for years to come. Image via Dealeron
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, along with the busiest travel holiday of the year! If you’ve traveled on this holiday in the past, you know that planning is key to a seamless, relaxing trip, and we’ve got just the list to keep you organized this year! Stay Connected – Download the latest travel apps for your phone before you hit the road—Spotify is a great channel for music, Waze will help with traffic, and Citymapper will be your best-bet for navigation! Travel Late or Early – Instead of sitting in a huge mess of traffic this year, leave in the middle of the night, or early in the morning to avoid traffic jams—you’ll get to where you’re going much faster, and your passengers will thank you… especially if you have kids! Pack Wisely – Make sure to bring temperature-appropriate clothing, shoes, and coats, especially if you’re heading north or to the mountains! Have Your Car Serviced – Make sure that all of your fluid levels are topped off, your brakes, lights work properly, and that your car is up to date on all routine maintenance including oil changes and tires. Contact our Service Department to set up an appointment to have your car prepared for your road trip! Have Travel Documents on Hand – Be sure to carry your Insurance Card, Roadside Assistance information, and any other vital information, in case of emergency. Make All Stops at Once – If you have children, it might be challenging trying to travel with the constant stopping for bathroom breaks, food, and drinks, but, if you stop in a place where you can use the restroom, grab a sandwich and a bottle of water, all in one place, you’re guaranteed to save time instead of loading and unloading everyone into and out of the car at each place. Visit us online to schedule your appointment with our Service Department, to ensure your vehicle is up-to-par for your Thanksgiving travel. Buckle up, and enjoy the ride!
Fiat-Chrysler has developed its first self-driving electric car concept. The new model concept is called the Portal and it made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada in January, 2017. It has been showcased at other events since, including the North American International Auto Show. The Portal concept is unique as it includes exciting futuristic features for its minivan model, such as facial recognition, which allows for customization of various features, and communication systems between vehicles and passengers. The Design Goals of the Portal The Portal's primary design goal was to create a concept vehicle that would attract the millennial generation. The design is meant to be an affordable and customizable option for millennials that would evolve along with their needs and wants in a vehicle. The target demographic for the Portal is young twenty-somethings starting out on their own, just beginning to build families and careers. Fiat-Chrysler has the opportunity to create lifelong loyalty in millennials by designing a vehicle that meets their unique needs. The Portal's Battery Power As an electric car, the Portal will run on a chargeable battery. With a full charge, the vehicle will have a range of 250 miles. The Portal also is designed to have a very quick recharge time, as it can drive for 150 miles with just 20 minutes of charging time. This electric vehicle runs on a lithium-ion battery pack, capable of 100 kilowatts per hour. Self-Driving Capabilities and Social Features of the Portal Concept One of the most exciting features of the Portal concept is the self-driving capability of the vehicle. In addition to its ability drive on its own, the Portal also features a camera inside the car for occupants to take group photos and selfies. Also included in the Portal concept is a communication system designed for two or more vehicles to communicate as well as a passenger to passenger communication system. Personalization Features of The Portal The Portal design concept also has facial and voice recognition abilities. The voice and facial recognition features can allow each driver or passenger of the vehicle to customize their driving experience by allowing each occupant to program radio stations and other music preferences according to their tastes. Drivers and passengers have the ability to customize the destination according to their preference, and they are also able to control other features, such as lighting and temperature. These customized preferences of the vehicle occupants will also stay in place even if the occupant chooses to move to a different seat. The Future of the Fiat-Chrysler Portal Model The future is bright for the Portal model concept. Fiat Chrysler plans to either produce the Portal concept in its entirety, or create a very similar vehicle incorporating many of the Portal's features. According to the Fiat-Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne, consumers can expect this new futuristic vehicle to make its debut sometime after 2018. It is possible consumers may see this product launch within the next five years. " IMG_1556 " by K. Chan is licensed by CC BY 2.0
