The third-generation Chrysler minivans are a series of passenger minivans that were marketed by the Chrysler Corporation (later DaimlerChrysler) from the 1996 to 2000 model years. Designated the NS platform by Chrysler, these minivans were sold by Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth divisions in passenger configurations; minivans were exported under the Chrysler brand. While the second-generation AS platform was a revision of the original vans, the NS platform marked the first ground-up redesign of the Chrysler vans since their 1984 introduction, ending the use of components from K-Car derivatives.
The first non-compact minivans in North America to adopt four sliding passenger doors, the third-generation Chrysler minivans saw their form factor adopted by many competitors. In addition to chief competitors Ford Windstar, Honda Odyssey, and Toyota Sienna, the NS-platform configuration was adopted by the Chevrolet Venture, Oldsmobile Silhouette, and Pontiac (Trans Sport) Montana, and the Mercury Villager/Nissan Quest.
In line with the first and second-generation minivans, the third-generation minivans were assembled at Windsor Assembly in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with additional production sourced from Saint Louis (South) Assembly in Fenton, Missouri. To supplement exports from the United States, production of the Chrysler Voyager was sourced from Graz, Austria (in the Eurostar joint venture factory between Chrysler and Steyr-Daimler-Puch).
Development
Development of the NS platform minivans commenced in 1990; with a team led by Tom Gale and Chris Theodore, design work (by Don Renkert) was approved in September 1991 with a design freeze in May 1992. In addition to becoming the first all-new Chrysler minivan in a decade, the third-generation vans were also a response to the development of a front-wheel drive replacement for the Ford Aerostar (unveiled in 1994 as the 1995 Ford Windstar).
While the S/AS-platform vans did not share direct structural underpinnings with the Chrysler K-Cars, in contrast to their predecessors, the NS vans were the first generation designed from the ground up as a minivan. One of the first Chrysler vehicles designed with CATIA, which allowed for much tighter design tolerances.
In its effort to design the third-generation minivans, Chrysler benchmarked the vehicle from various sources of data, using customer input, warranty data, and research based on various other minivans (the Ford Aerostar, Mercury Villager, and Toyota Previa). During its market research, Chrysler sought owner feedback on adding a $300 driver-side sliding door option from minivan owners, with 85% of participants answering that they would buy the van with the second sliding door, even as an extra-cost option. Ironically, the feature had been planned for the first-generation minivans, but was removed in 1980 due to concerns over additional tooling costs.
Alongside the sliding door, several designs underwent consideration for the floor layout. Initially, a lower floor height was considered (research feedback felt that the step-in height was too high), but was rejected as it jeopardized the higher driving position sought by buyers. For production, a compromise design was approved, retaining the same floor height as the previous generation eased into lower door sills. In addition to preserving the higher driving position, the floor design allowed the fitment of all-wheel drive without major modification, larger wheels and tires, CNG tanks, and batteries for electric vehicles.
While the V6 powertrains of the previous-generation platform were retained, during the development of the NS platform, several configurations were under consideration. To improve the body structure, a mid-engine powertrain in line with the Toyota Previa was initially considered, but was rejected for cost and complexity considerations. A transition to a longitudinal-mounted powertrain to simplify V6 engine access and all-wheel drive configuration also underwent strong consideration; the transverse layout was chosen in order to reduce overall length.
In an extensive shift from the boxy design of the first two generations, the body adopted cab-forward design, shifting the dashboard and windshield forward. In contrast to the controversial styling of the GM APV minivans, the roof was moved upward (nearly 3 inches) and the cowl moved lower, allowing for a less radical windshield angle. To move the base of the windshield back several inches (to further improve visibility), Chrysler designed the windshield wiper module/lower windshield cowl to be removable (allowing for improved engine bay access).