THE Beautiful People Mover is how Chrysler is describing its latest Voyager on billboards throughout the land.
Now beautiful is hardly the word that comes to mind when talking of people movers. However, Chrysler has made some sweeping changes to spruce up the latest versions of the Voyager both inside and out.
And when it comes to the stretched Grand Voyager the improvements are even more striking. This is a huge seven seater - almost 17 feet long - and that makes it about the size of a minibus.
New headlamps, grille, alloy wheels and body mouldings have created quite a stylish appearance for a vehicle of such dimensions and inside it is as cavernous as it is luxurious.
And that all adds up to make the Grand Voyager more of a VIP transport than true family MPV.
That aura is enhanced by blacked out rear windows which, on this particular top range Grand Voyager Limited XS with all black paint job, gave it a definite stately feel.
At £31,290 this version of the Grand Voyager is in the top price bracket in the people mover market and up against the likes of the Renault Grand Espace and VW Caravelle.
Chrysler now uses a 2.8-litre common rail diesel engine in the Voyager range which is an inheritance from parent company DaimlerChrylser's Mercedes range. The engine is a super performer with a reported top speed of 112mph, 0 to 60 acceleration of 12 seconds and average fuel consumption of 28.9 mpg. However CO2 emissions of 225g/km are still on the high side.
Improved suspension has reduced significantly the roll experienced in earlier versions of the Voyager and a four speed automatic gearbox delivers the sort of smooth changes expected in the executive market.
One niggle is the column mounted gear change which is not to my liking and made it difficult to make accurate first time selections. The driving position is also compromised by a lack of space for your left foot which for the most time is buried under the brake pedal.
To make the Grand Voyager faultless that needs to be remedied, but Chrysler has gone a long way to removing other inadequacies within this monster MPV.
The 2x2x3 seating arrangement creates an almost executive jet feel to the interior with the front four seats all having their own fold down armrests.
All seating positions also come with their own cup holders and interior storage space abounds. That now includes a removable floor mounted centre console between the middle two seats.
Electrically operated sliding side doors and tailgate are not only convenient but highly practical and can be operated at the touch of a button on the key fob.
Airbags are fitted throughout the cabin to protect all three rows and there have also been major improvements to the amount of interior noise.
A redesigned facia is much more to European tastes and now incorporates a digital display in the entertainment/navigation module.
It is all a huge leap forward for the Grand Voyager in terms of refinement and it is now definitely in the luxury league.
However in terms of flexibility it is a different question. While there is more than 40 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding that by removing any of the seats is by no means straightforward. The rear bench seat, for example, is so heavy it is almost impossible for it to be handled by one person.
But the reputation the Grand Voyager is trying to carve out is not about utility but about luxury. This is a highly sophisticated vehicle and perhaps too classy for the average MPV buyer.
Chauffeur-driven superstars would feel well at home in the Grand Voyager. It is now an elite car aimed at the elite and one for the beautiful people themselves.
FAST FACTS
Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.8CRD Limited XS
Price: £31,290
Mechanical: 150bhp, 2,776cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via a 4-spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 112mph
0-62mph: 12 secs
Combined mpg: 28.9
Insurance group: 15
CO2 emissions: 225g/km
BiK rating: 34%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited miles; 7yrs antirust