Stow 'n Go™ – the Unique and Innovative Seating and Storage System

Stow 'n Go™ extends Chrysler Grand Voyager’s Leadership in the MPV Segment

• Stow 'n Go is the only system to feature seats that fold into, not onto, the floor

• Second- and third-row seats fold into the floor with virtually effortless one-hand operation
  
  
• When seats are upright, bins in the floor offer 340 litres of storage

More than 20 years ago, Chrysler Corporation changed the way people think about transportation with the invention of the minivan. More than 10 million sales later, Chrysler Group has raised the bar again with the innovative Stow 'n Go™ seating and storage system, unique to Chrysler Group minivans and standard fit for the Chrysler Grand Voyager.

Chrysler Grand Voyager has always been known for comfort and spaciousness with the largest interior volume amongst its competitors. The Stow 'n Go system adds to those credentials with creative seating and storage possibilities along with extremely comfortable seats.

“Stow 'n Go represents yet another leap ahead in the minivan market segment to keep the Chrysler Group on top of the heap,” said Thomas Hausch, Executive Director – International Sales and Marketing, Chrysler Group. “Stow 'n Go offers unmatched convenience, versatility and storage, and it is just one of many added features and safety enhancements to our newest Chrysler minivans.”


Chrysler Group has raised the bar for innovations with the newest Chrysler Grand Voyager minivan. The “minivan-first” Stow 'n Go seating and storage system not only provides the only fold-in-the-floor second- and third-row seats, but also gives an available 340 litres (12 cu. ft.) of storage area when the seats are in their upright position. The seating configuration goes from seven seats to two in less than 30 seconds, with a nearly effortless one-hand operation.

For the first time in a minivan, Chrysler Group engineers used Super High Density (SHD) foam cushion seating that was originally developed by NASA to improve the seat comfort for astronauts. This foam cushion comfort technology also is used in high-end home and office furniture. The use of SHD was key to designing seats that could be folded as needed, but without losing comfort.


In order to fit the seating and storage system into the Chrysler Group’s newest minivans, the development team had to not only invent folding seats, but also create an entirely new underbody and engineer a load floor for the second-row seats. They also needed to design a new fuel tank, exhaust system, parking brake cables and rear climate control lines, and modify the rear suspension.

Voluminous Storage and a Variety of Seating Configurations

Unlike competitor vehicles, the Chrysler Grand Voyager’s second- and third-row seats can be folded into, not onto, the floor with a virtually effortless one-hand operation, without the need for the head restraints to be removed.

With both the second- and third-row seats folded, Chrysler Grand Voyager has a completely flat load floor and a maximum cargo volume of 4,550 litres (160.7 cu. ft.).

Two spacious, covered storage bins are available when the second-row Stow 'n Go seats are left upright. Around 170 litres (6 cu. ft.) of covered storage space is available in the second row, split between the two bins. When combined with the long single storage bin behind the third-row seats, the system provides a total of 340 litres (12 cu. ft.) of available storage space.

Many different seating configurations are possible in the Chrysler Grand Voyager with Stow 'n Go. In fact, the total variety of configurations number more than 250.

A few of the most popular include:
— Tailgate: The 60/40 third-row split bench seats flip completely rearward for comfortable tailgate seating when the vehicle is parked. The seats can be flipped individually or together. Chrysler Group minivans are also the only ones in the industry to offer the ability to recline the seatbacks prior to setting in
the tailgate configuration.

— Limousine: The second-row seats fold into the floor for plenty of third-row legroom.

— Family: All seats when upright can seat seven people, and at the same time open up available storage capacity in the three bins in the floor.

— Cargo/Storage: Both the second- and third-row seats fold into the floor, for a minivan-first flat cargo area and more than 4.5 cubic metres of available storage space. Additional Stow 'n Go seating and storage features, many of which are minivan-firsts, include:

• Storage bin bags: Cargo net bags are standard and adjust to fit into each storage bin, allowing for quick, easy removal of stored items.
• Second-row seat fore/aft adjusters and reclining seat backs: For additional comfort, second-row seats move forward and back and offer 100 mm (3.94 in.) of seat travel. Second-row seat backs recline up to 40 degrees, offering 13 different positions.
• Outboard “break-away” cup holders: If a second-row seat is folded into the floor while the outboard cup holder is left deployed, a mechanism releases the cup holder and returns it to the closed position.
• Third-row easy entry system: With the pull of a single strap, the second-row seat tumbles out of the way and allows for easy entry into the third row.
• Split-bench tailgate seating: The third-row 60/40 split bench may be flipped completely rearward — individually or in its entirety — for convenient,comfortable tailgate seating complete with a weather shelter provided by the liftgate.
• Reclining third-row seats: Third-row seat backs recline up to 39 degrees, offering 12 different positions.

Minivans Offer a Host of Other Amenities
The Chrysler brand continues to offer a broad range of customer choices in the minivan market, including standard- and extended-wheelbase models, multiple powertrain choices, premium amenities and even more minivan-first features such as Stow 'n Go. Chrysler minivans’ newest engine and transmission — along with a quiet and richly appointed interior, a fresh exterior design and substantial levels of driver and passenger safety — reinforce Voyager and Grand Voyager’s long-held position as the aspirational choice for minivan customers around the world.

The list of major features on the Chrysler Voyager and Grand Voyager for markets outside of North America includes:

— 2.8 CRD Automatic: A 2.8-litre common-rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine with best-in-class torque and outstanding fuel economy, paired with an automatic transmission for maximum convenience.

— Three-row supplemental side curtain air bags: Three-row, A- to D-pillar side curtain air bags provide full-length coverage for all three rows of seats. The side curtain air bags protect all outboard passengers. Both sides have sensors, which trigger the air bag on the side where impact occurs.

— Advanced multi-stage front air bags: Provide enhanced protection for occupants at various deployment levels, based on the severity of the impact.

— BeltAlert™: If a vehicle is driven without the driver being properly belted, the Chrysler Group’s enhanced seat belt reminder system will periodically activate a chime and illuminate a light in the instrument cluster to remind the driver to buckle up.

— Child seat anchor system (ISOFIX/LATCH): Helps ease the installation of compatible aftermarket child seats. Feature is standard fit in second-row seats for all models and is also standard in the centre position of the third-row seat in the Chrysler Grand Voyager.

— Rear park assist: Rear obstacle detection system with audible warning and rear overhead display (standard on Limited, optional on LX).

— Quiet interior: A package of recent improvements significantly reduces the level of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). Speech intelligibility between the first and third rows, already an acknowledged strength of Voyager, was further enhanced.

— Fresh exterior: The front exterior incorporates the newest fascia, grille and quad headlamps. Bodyside mouldings and wheel designs further enhance the vehicle’s attractive looks.

— UConnect™ hands-free communication system: Available as a Mopar® aftermarket accessory, the system uses Bluetooth® technology to provide wireless communication between the driver’s compatible mobile phone and the vehicle’s on-board audio receiver. Advanced voice recognition technology
controls the UConnect operation, and incoming calls are broadcast through the vehicle’s audio speakers.

— Navigation radio: Available as factory-installed or through Mopar, this system for European customers contains a navigation computer with 12.4 cm (4.9-in.) diagonal full-colour display, tuner and CD player all in one unit. Features include turn-by-turn route guidance navigation with voice instruction, seven
different user languages, automatic re-route calculation and memory to store 50 custom user destinations.

— Overhead rail system with movable/removable bins: Includes overhead console with up to six movable and removable storage bins, rear temperature controls and an optional Mopar DVD screen (overhead rail system is standard on Limited, optional on LX).

Chrysler Group invented the minivan in 1983 and since then has sold more than 10 million minivans in more than 70 countries, introduced over 50 minivan-first features and earned more than 150 awards industry-wide.

Outside of North America, Chrysler offers two versions of its standard-wheelbase Voyager minivan, the SE and LX. Three versions of the extended-wheelbase Grand Voyager minivan are available, the SE, LX and Limited. Chrysler minivans are built at DaimlerChrysler’s Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; St. Louis South Assembly plant in Fenton, Missouri, USA; and Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria.

Minivan Historical Highlights
November 2, 1983: The former Chrysler Corporation manufactures the first minivan at Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. First models include Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan and Dodge Caravan C/V.

1983-1984: Chrysler creates the people carrier market sector — known as minivans in the U.S. and MPVs or multi-purpose vehicles in Europe, upon export to Europe in 1987; 210,000 Voyagers and Caravans are sold in the first full year of sales. With the break-even point of 155,000 annually, the minivan plays a major part in restoring Chrysler to profitability.

1987-1988: One million minivans sold; Chrysler Voyager sales begin in Europe; Chrysler expands market by offering extended-wheelbase models: the Grand Voyager and Grand Caravan. For the first time, Chrysler offers V-6 engines in its minivans.

1990: Two million minivans sold; Chrysler invents the luxury minivan market segment by introducing Chrysler Town & Country.

1991: Chrysler begins to build minivans for the European market at Eurostar in Graz, Austria, in a joint venture with Steyr-Daimler-Puch; Chrysler introduces a Second Generation of minivans with many improvements.

1992: Three million minivans sold.

1993-1994: Four million minivans sold; Voyager gains extra appeal for European buyers with an economical turbo diesel version sold in international markets only.

1995-1996: Five million minivans sold; production of right-hand-drive minivans begins at Eurostar in Graz, Austria; 100,000th Voyager manufactured at Eurostar on March 31, 1995; launch of new-generation Voyager in Graz on September 25, 1995; Chrysler introduces its Third Generation of minivans, which offer several “minivan firsts.”

1997: Six million minivans sold.

1998: Seven million minivans sold; Chrysler celebrates 15th Anniversary of the Minivan.

1999: Eight million minivans sold; Chrysler builds world’s first and only electricpowered minivan called EPIC (Electric Powered Interurban Commuter) — for fleet use only.

2000: Setting a new world record for fuel economy, a Chrysler Voyager SE fitted with a 2.5-litre common-rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine travels 1,724 kilometres (1,077 miles) on a single tank of diesel fuel; five million minivans built in DaimlerChrysler Windsor Assembly Plant.

2001: Nine millionth minivan sold is celebrated at Eurostar in Graz, Austria; all-new Fourth Generation Voyager carries Chrysler minivan/MPV into a new century.

2003: 10 million minivans sold; the UK records its 30,000th minivan sale in July 2003, less than eight years after its introduction; 20th Anniversary of the Minivan — Chrysler Voyager “Anniversary Edition” introduced in international markets.

2004: Eurostar in Graz, Austria, celebrates the 500,000th minivan built in Graz.