Chrysler Adding Sinister S Appearance Package to Pacifica Hybrid
Minivans are great for a lot of things, but intimidating the neighbors is not among their many attributes.
While you could spend the weekend welding spikes onto one and giving everyone on your block “the stare down,” alternative options exist. You could purchase some custom wheels and replace the chrome accents with something darker, or you could have Chrysler do it for you if you’re in the market for a Pacifica.
As much as I hope this brings back a dark and sinister version of 1970s van culture, I would be satisfied with just seeing more of them on the road. According to Chrysler, the murdered-out look offered by the S Appearance Package has proven quite popular with standard Pacifica shoppers. Now, it wants to extend the opportunity to those interested in the plug-in hybrid model.
“The factory custom look of the S Appearance model is really resonating with our Pacifica buyers, so much so that we are now making it available on the Pacifica Hybrid model, as well,” said Steve Beahm, Head of FCA North America’s passenger car brands. “With 84 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode and 33 miles of all-electric range this package makes the industry’s only hybrid minivan even more unique.”
The package appears to be identical to what’s provided on the gas-powered Pacifica. The badging, grille surrounds, headlamp trim, and window and rear valance moldings have been swapped from faux chrome to the exquisitely named “Black Noise.” The same goes for the roof rack and 18-inch wheels. The only thing left untouched is the little blue tags on the plug-in port door and tailgate that allows you to virtue signal your hybrid ownership.
While you can option the package with any paint color you choose, I imagine most customers will pick black. However, it does look more palatable when paired with Jazz Blue, Copper, or any of the monochrome hues. It would also look phenomenal with a forest green but Chrysler has neglected to deliver on that utterly perfect color combination.
The blacked-on-black look surely isn’t for everyone. We’ve definitely found it to be executed poorly and unnecessarily on a number of vehicles. But for $595, you’re not exactly going to have to take out a second mortgage, and it does change the visual persona of the Chrysler in a meaningful way. You’ll just have to decide if it’s for you.
Orders for 2019 Pacifica Hybrid models begin next month with deliveries commencing in the fall.
[Image: FCA]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Sinister? Minivan? Pacifica? Uh, no!
Available at your nearest BHPH lot with the 20" chrome dubz package!