- Dual DVD system that can play different media at the same time is a minivan-first AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chrysler Group has offered fresh ideas to make family travel more enjoyable for more than 23 years. The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans continue that trend with cutting-edge entertainment technology that will please customers no matter what their age. The all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivan entertainment options are unmatched in the segment. "Minivans have evolved to be a family room on wheels, and our new minivans offer all the technology customers have in their family rooms at home," said Larry Lyons, Vice President - Chrysler Group Front-wheel-drive Product Team. "Family members can watch a movie, play a video game, listen to an iPod or MP3 player through the sound system, watch TV or listen to the radio or a CD. The 2008 Chrysler and Dodge minivans pop with the hottest technology for the whole family." Dual DVD System The new dual DVD system that can play different media at the same time pops with choices. With dual A/V jacks, a 115-volt inverter and 12-volt power outlet in the C-pillar, aftermarket power converters are a thing of the past, since gaming systems can plug in directly to the minivan to operate. Passengers can play a game system in the second row and watch a movie in the third row. Or they can watch SIRIUS Backseat TV in one row and a movie in another, or watch a different movie in each row. Or passengers can listen to SIRIUS Satellite Radio through the wireless headphones in one row and watch and listen to a movie with the other set of headphones in another row. The system comes with two wireless, infrared headphones that allow passengers to listen to the same or individual audio sources. The headphones store in the overhead bins when not in use. Also included are an eight-inch Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) DVD screen in the second and third rows, a single-disc DVD player and a battery-powered infrared two-channel remote control. SIRIUS Backseat TV Chrysler Group is the first to offer satellite TV programming to its customers through SIRIUS Backseat TV. Offering three channels of family programming for backseat passengers, the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country are the first Chrysler Group vehicles to offer this feature. Disney Channel, Cartoon Network Mobile and Nickelodeon Mobile can be viewed on the second- and/or third-row DVD screens or on the MyGIG display in the front row if the vehicle is in park. SIRIUS Backseat TV is a subscription-based satellite service, with the first year of programming provided by SIRIUS. Satellite TV is made possible by additional components that include a satellite video module in the upper left D-Pillar and an additional antenna mounted on the front center of the roof. MyGIG(TM) Multimedia Infotainment System The MyGIG system features an AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3/satellite radio/navigation system that includes a 20-gigabyte hard drive capable of storing more than 1,200 songs. The system offers voice-activated commands, touch-screen functionality, personalized backgrounds, a USB port, a Jukebox feature for personalized playlists, the ability to rip an MP3 or WMV file directly to the hard drive and the capability to watch a movie when the minivan is in park. The vehicle's 6.5-inch touch-screen panel supports 65,000 colors, which enhance the appearance of the display and provide a three-dimensional appearance to the graphics while offering animation capability and multiple font sizes and styles. Navigation features include maps that can be displayed in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional bird's-eye view, hard-drive maps, hard-drive storage of Points of Interest (POI) such as gas stations and restaurants and multiple route calculations. SIRIUS Satellite Radio SIRIUS provides 2008 minivan customers with more than 125 channels, including 100-percent commercial-free music, as well as sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather. SIRIUS also broadcasts live play-by-play games from the NFL, NBA and NHL, and is the official satellite-radio partner of the NFL and NASCAR. Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country owners also may stream SIRIUS programming through their home computers via a high- speed Internet connection at no additional charge. Real-time traffic navigation is enabled by SIRIUS Satellite Radio. SIRIUS utilizes its nationwide satellite-radio broadcast capabilities to provide subscribers with updated traffic information where available, displayed on their navigation screen to help select the best available route. Premium Surround Sound System The new-for-2008 premium surround sound system with a minivan-first subwoofer and 506-watt amplifier is available on both the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. The 506-watt amplifier offers 11 channels with 46 watts per channel. The system also includes three instrument panel speakers, two front-door-mounted speakers, two speakers in the rear quarter, two speakers in the D-pillar and an eight-inch, two-channel, dual-voice coil subwoofer. The system also offers Digital Signal Processing (DSP) 7.1 Surround Sound and is capable of simulating two-channel media into a multi-channel format. The premium sound system offers proper sound imaging and excellent frequency response with smooth delivery. The surround sound provides an enhanced listening and viewing experience of CDs, DVDs, games and other media sources, since the sound output is channeled through the various speakers in the minivan. UConnect(R) Hands-free Communication System The UConnect Hands-free Communication System is available on 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans sold in North America both as a stand-alone option and as part of the MyGIG system. UConnect uses Bluetooth(R) technology to provide wireless communication between the customer's compatible mobile phone and the vehicle's onboard receiver. The UConnect control buttons are integrated into the vehicle's radio head unit. UConnect features include: -- Voice dialing: voice commands may be used to digit-dial the phone or access pre-stored voice tags -- Audio address book: 32 names, four numbers per name, for a total of 128 phone numbers, can be stored in the system -- Emergency calls and towing assistance: voice command dials 911 or towing assistance -- Audio-system mute: mutes the microphone for privacy -- Call transfer: allows the customer to transfer a call from the vehicle's system to the mobile phone -- Three language options: provides English, French and Spanish language capabilities -- Multi-phone recognition: system can recognize as many as seven phones that can be used within one minivan system Electronic Vehicle Information Center An interactive digital display located in the minivan instrument cluster conveniently displays information and can be controlled by switches mounted in the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country overhead center console. The system allows the minivan driver to select from a menu of useful information. Owners can personalize their settings, such as having the lights flash and horn honk when locking and unlocking the vehicle using Remote Keyless Entry. The 2008 Chrysler Town & Country's Electronic Vehicle Information Center also gives owners the ability to scroll through the compass/outside temperature, average fuel economy, distance to empty, trip elapsed time and tire-pressure monitoring displays. DATASOURCE: Chrysler LLC CONTACT: Kathy Graham, +1-248-512-2942 (office), +1-248-705-1502 (cell), , or Beth Ann Bayus, +1-248-512-0350 (office), +1-248-761-5588 (cell), , both of Chrysler LLC Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/ http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/

Copyright