Reviewers have commented on the quiet interior of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivans, and have praised its combination of ride and handling. According to FCA US engineer Jeff Tibbenham, it’s a matter of rings.
As the engineer in charge of body structure, Mr. Tibbenham said that deflection — the twisting of the car body by rough roads — leads to squeaks and rattles, which have a major impact on owner satisfaction. To fix that, Chrysler placed five reinforcement rings around the Pacifica (see the illustration).
“These rings work together to minimize the effects of deflection caused by uneven roads,” said Mr. Tibbenahm at a recent conference. The added torsional stiffness also helps in cornering.
The market seems to be responding; the Pacifica commands higher transaction prices than the outgoing Town & Country did, and has shot up to the #2 sales spot though supplies of the new minivan may still be limited in some areas, and the “base model” slot is handled by the Dodge Caravan.
Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/2016/10/pacificas-rings-of-silence-34225
