Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but too much flattery can kill you.
Chrysler is in danger of being flattered to death by the new Ford Windstar, a product of one-ups-manship in the full-size minivan competition that Chrysler dominates.The Windstar is wider, longer and (optional engines excluded) stronger than the Dodge Grand Caravan and twin Plymouth Grand Voyager. Launched in 1987, the extended-length Chrysler minivans have enjoyed a seven-year free ride as rival automakers fumbled for a viable competitor.
Now there is one.
Joining the old rear-drive Aerostar minivan in the Ford line-up, the front-drive Windstar LX Wagon hits the upper end of the family market with a $23,000 base price and a sleek design loaded with amenities.
To avoid "me-tooism," Ford went beyond parity with Chrysler in several important areas with the 1995 Windstar.
First, the Ford's 3.8-liter, 155-horsepower V-6 engine is stronger than the base engine in the full-size Chrysler minivans. Chrysler offers a slightly stronger 3.8 V-6 for $302, but the base engine is less potent than Ford's.
And Ford further established power-train superiority with a smoother four-speed automatic transmission that avoids the abrupt throttle response of the Chrysler products.
Next, Ford gave the Windstar a bigger body than the Grand Caravan with only a 100-pound greater curb weight at 3,840 pounds. Wind-star's wheelbase, the distance from front wheel to rear, is 120.7 inches, 1.4 inches longer than the Chrysler's. And with a more than four-inch advantage in the track (distance between the front wheels), the Windstar provides great stability.
With such proportions, you might think the Windstar would ride like a truck. But car-like qualities - largely absent in the Aerostar - were the primary goal of the Ford designers.
Available in 12 colors (two more than Chrysler offers), the test Windstar arrived in "Plum Mist" clearcoat metallic paint and mocha cloth interior.
The body is an attractive blend of station wagon and van with a sharply raked windshield.
Based in part on the Taurus platform, the Windstar offers a low step-in height, and the hood is like a car's, creating a crumple zone between the front passengers and the back bumpers of other vehicles.
And the ride is quite civilized thanks to a good suspension that soaks up bumps without too much rocking and rolling. The Windstar handles very well for something this big, turning corners handily.
I really liked the throttle response, which was smooth and sufficient for quick maneuvers. The Windstar's 220 pound-feet of torque also tops anything Chrysler can offer.
Though the engine was less noisy than the Grand Caravan's, I did notice some wind noise at the front roof pillar, and the rear drum brakes occasionally made a strange sound, which I was told derived from the type of material in the brake pad (something that has become common with the demise of asbestos).
Ford is boasting 95 Windstar advantages over the Grand Caravan, ranging from more cargo room to better coat hooks. Some of the items on Ford's list are optional. But the advantages that matter are standard, such as the ability to fold down the backs of both the second and third benches.
Ford went stylish in the interior, borrowing the Lincoln Mark VIII's dash design, which is terraced and angled toward the driver. And, actually, I like the effect better in the Windstar than in the claustrophobia-inducing Mark.
Also in that dash are two air bags, which join the standard anti-lock brakes and side impact door beams to enhance safety.
A small console between the front seats is available for $140 but impedes access to the back seats. However it is less of an obstacle than the one in the Aerostar.
Designers placed the hand parking brake on the floor, which means you don't have to search for a release under the dash.
The minivan's seats are comfortable, but I like the Chryslers' better. The driver's captain chair, with armrests, seemed a little too narrow in the back.
I also didn't care for the placement of the inside door handles. After turning off the engine at night, I really had to search for them in the dark. I found the small, plastic handles in an unfamiliar place atop the door and toward the front pillar.
Back seat passengers will appreciate controls for the ventilation and sound systems. The controls, complete with two headphone jacks, allow the passenger in the second bench seat to change stations and volume. If you're worried the kids would drive you crazy with this much power, rest easy. The controls can be deactivated by the driver.
As a cargo vehicle, the wide Windstar may be the star of its class. With 144 cubic feet, the new Ford minivan beats the Dodge Grand Caravan's capacity by nearly three cubic feet. Both the second and third back bench seats are removeable.
For smaller jobs, an optional track allows you to slide the third bench forward 7.2-inches. A cargo net in the back will hold groceries in place. The optional power lock switch in the back is really helpful when you've got an armload of packages.
The Windstar's fuel economy is rated at 17 city and 24 highway miles per gallon, better than that of the Grand Caravan with a 3.8-liter V-6. And with a 25-gallon tank - five more than the Grand Caravan's - the Windstar's highway cruising range is about 160 miles greater.
Now let's see if the Windstar will go as far in the market as the Grand Caravan.