Published:
18 April 2012Only one engine is offered with the Grand Voyager. The 3.8-litre petrol V6, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, only ever accounted for 10 percent of Grand Voyager sales so it has been dropped. That leaves the popular 2.8-litre CRD diesel on its own, also driving through a six-speed automatic.
The VM-Motori-sourced diesel is changed slightly from its previous incarnation. It’s six percent lighter, has a longer cambelt life and has a couple of structural changes to the sump and crankshaft. Maximum power is 161bhp, developed at 3800rpm, with a high torque figure of 265lb ft available from as low as 1600rpm.
It’s a pity, though, that the excellent Mercedes 3.0 turbodiesel engine found in other Chryslers hasn’t been used here – according to Chrysler, it won’t fit – because although the 2.8 four-pot diesel has reasonable punch, it has nothing like the same refinement for the task. At least it marries well with the new six-speed auto ’box.
The VM engine is also a common-rail unit with piezo injectors, which is usually a byword for quietness, but not here. It rattles at idle, and when you start making demands of the 2.8-litre CRD unit, it becomes even gruffer. And make demands you must if you want to make decent progress.
At 2305kg, the Grand Voyager has barely 70bhp per tonne, which means you’re looking at 12.1sec for 0-60mph by our stopwatch. Officially, the 0-62mph time is 12.8sec. Top speed is 115mph, but you’re more likely to give up before it does.
