Photo by Mike Antich.

Photo by Mike Antich.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has reconfigured its minivan lineup by introducing the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica as a gasoline-powered or plug-in hybrid minivan to replace the Town & Country and eventually Dodge Grand Caravan.

FCA unveiled the Chrysler Pacifica at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit during a Jan. 11 press conference.

FCA is moving to breathe new life into a segment invented by Chrysler in 1984 with the introduction of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. Sales of minvans have slipped in recent years with the rise of compact and mid-size SUVs, but minivans have continued to find their way into van pools and shuttle fleets.

The Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid will arrive on a new platform that reduces noise, vibration and harshness. FCA will discontinue the Town & Country after the 2016 model year.

The new minivans will arrive with more than 100 standard and available safety and security features including a 360-degree Surround View camera, ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Hold and Forward Collision Warning-Plus.

The Pacifica will be powered by a 3.6L Pentastar V-6 that makes 287 hp and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. FCA will offer the Pacifica in six trim grades and the Pacifica Hybrid in two models.

The hybrid model is expected to offer up to 80 miles per gallon equivalent in city driving and 30 miles of zero-emissions driving in EV mode from a 16 kilowatt-per-hour lithium-ion battery.

The Chrysler Pacifica is expected to arrive in dealer showrooms in the spring and the Pacifica Hybrid in the second half of 2016. The Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, is building the vehicle.

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