Erik Azar is a motorsports enthusiast living in Northeast Florida. He is presently the VP of the Jacksonville Corvette Club and an active member of JAMS – Jacksonville Area Mopars where he enjoys attending motorsport events in his Jeep JK and Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye.
The 5th annual Mopars on the Beach in Myrtle Beach, SC – tailored as a Vacation for Mopar Enthusiasts took place from November 10-15, 2020. Like so many other motorsport events this year, Mopars on the Beach was postponed from its usual June timeframe.
Mopars on the Beach was founded in 2016 by Tommy and Cathy Bridges of the Coastal Carolina Mopars, and with the help of their club members pulled off a successful event as they had to be agile and creative dealing with the current Covid-19 climate. This year saw over 300 attendees from 17 states traveling from as far away as Nevada and Arizona.
The week’s activities consisted of various Cruise-ins, Dyno Day, Charity Ride, and a Car Show. It’s a great way for Mopar enthusiasts to meet other like-minded people from all over the United States and develop new friendships.
This year even the late season Hurricane Iota wouldn’t put a damper on the activities and fun. The rain stopped Thursday evening allowing Friday’s Charity Ride and Saturday’s car show to take place with beautiful weather.
Friday’s charity ride to the small town of Georgetown, SC ended up having more than double the number of attendees expected. The organizers did an excellent job coordinating with the local police departments to arrange police escorts and blocking major intersections for more than 100 cars to travel from site to site. The evening ended at The Landing at the Boathouse for dinner and prizes.
The main event and largest generator of donation funds for the charities was Saturday’s car show that hosted over 300 cars on display. The cars ranged from classic 60s-70s Mopar muscle, to modern muscle and custom Mopars – which provided something for everybody to enjoy.
For 2020 the event raised $13,000 that was evenly divided between two local charities:
· Quilts of Valor local chapter – provides volunteer handmade quilts to service members and veterans that have been touched by war.
· Lowcountry Food Bank – provides both the education and nutritious options needed by partner agencies and schools that serve our community
Next year’s Mopars on the Beach is scheduled for Nov 2-6, 2021 and will move to Broadway at the Beach, a popular tourist destination with shopping and entertainment. There will also be Drag Strip day on Thursday, Nov 4, 2021 at Darlington Drag Strip.
Recently we spent a week with the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, America’s first and only hybrid minivan. We were impressed with the efficient and powerful powerplant and the vehicle’s family-friendly packaging. Chrysler recently sent us the 2020 model, which features an update grille, some new appearance packages and a few minor updates inside.
2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Courtesy of FCA.
The last review talked about the historical significance of Chrysler’s minivan. Creators of the industry first vehicle that combined the ease of driving a car with the family-friendly convenience of a truck-based van, Chrysler has sold more than 14.6 million minivans since 1983, a number that equates to twice as many as any other manufacturer.
2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Courtesy of FCA.
The Pacifica Hybrid fills the “minivan hybrid” spot for Americans. Between that exclusivity and the fact that it is a great minivan, it is the fourth best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) from the 30 PHEVs available in the market, and the #1 seller among the 20 vehicles that offer PHEV as an option.
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan equipped with Waymo’s fully self-driving technology. Courtesy of FCA.
Powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine and Chrysler’s an dual-motor eFlite electrically variable transmission the 2020 Pacifica Hybrid achieves more than 80 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode. The minivan has an all-electric range of more than 30 miles. Allow the batteries to fully charge and with a full tank of gas the hybrid is capable of traveling more than 500 miles before you need more fuel.
2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid cutaway. Courtesy of FCA.
With more than 100 available safety and security features, the Uconnect Theater rear-seat entertainment system, exclusive Stow ‘n Go seating and storage, available 4G Wi-Fi and an array of comfort and convenience technologies, the Chrysler Pacifica is a no-compromise minivan ideally suited for today’s families.
2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Courtesy of FCA.
New for 2020:
New Red S Appearance Package on Pacifica Limited features:
Rodèo Red Nappa leather seats with Light Diesel Grey stitching and piping, Silver Metal Brush hydro bezels on instrument panel and door trim
Red S liftgate badge and Black Noise Chrysler wing badges with Velvet Red insert and Gloss Black exterior finishes
18-inch wheels with a Black Noise finish, Advanced SafetyTec, 20-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio and KeySense
Uconnect Theater and tri-pane panoramic sunroof
Red S Appearance available in six exterior paint colors – Ceramic Grey Clear Coat (new), Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic Coat, Billet Metallic Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat and Maximum Steel Clear Coat
Honeycomb grille pattern now comes standard on Pacifica Hybrid models
New interior design elements include available Ceramic Grey Clear paint color and new Nova Black bezels on instrument panel and door trim
Pacifica Hybrid Touring model adds a standard universal garage door opener, second-row sunshades and an available Stow ‘n Place roof rack
Pacifica Hybrid Limited now features second-row, one-touch windows
The 2020 Chrylser Pacifica Hybrid starts at $39,995.
The year was 1983. Ronald Reagan was president. Michael Jackson’s Thriller album topped the charts as the compact disc (CD) revolutionized the industry. Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi ruled the box office and the first minivan rolled out of the factory at Chrysler.
1984 Plymouth Voyager instrument panel, driver’s console. First generation 1984-1990. Photo courtesy of FCA.
It looked like a van and drove like a big car. That may not sound like much in 2019, but in 1983 choices had to be made. If you wanted the convenience of a van, you bought something built on a truck chassis. Station wagons were holding down the fort, but even the largest wagon was a compromise if you needed maximum cargo space and room for more than five adults. Built on the popular Chrysler K-Platform, think Dodge Aires and Chrysler LeBaron, the 1984 model year Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager sat changed the rules entirely.
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.
Looking at history it only makes sense that the same manufacturer that delivered the first minivan would produce the industry’s first electrified model. As hybrid vehicles continue to grow in popularity, pointing to an electrified future, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid leads the charge (pun intended).
Powered by Technology
Powered by a V-6 gasoline engine and an innovative dual-motor eFlight electrically variable transmission, the Pacifica hybrid is powerful and efficient. Fuel economy is rated at an impressive 82 MPGe. Plug it in and with a full charge, the Pacifica has a range of 32 miles without using a drop of fossil fuel. Fill up the gas tank, drive perfectly and you’ll see 520-miles worth of road before you need to coast into a gas station.
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.
The technology behind Chrysler’s Pacifica Hybrid is the game changer. The 1984 Caravan would likely wonder if the late model hybrid was designed using alien technology. The eFlite transmission features two electric motors which are both capable of driving the vehicle’s wheels. Not only is this efficient, but the result is smooth authoritative acceleration and immediate power when you need it for passing or entering busy highways.
Drives Like a Car (a really big one)
Launched for the 2017 model year, the Chrysler Pacifica sits on an all-new platform. Improvements across the board have yielded better handling, reduced noise levels and a ride that enhances both sportiness and comfort.
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.
The minivan formula combines car-like driving dynamics with van-inspired interior appointments. The Pacifica Hybrid excels in both categories. The cabin is spacious with room for up to eight passengers. Seating is comfortable in all positions. The driver’s cockpit is well-designed and provides excellent access to the vehicle’s controls and view of the 7-inch full-color driver information display.
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.
More Technology
We are long-time fans of Fiat Chrylser Automobile’s Uconnect infotainment system and the available version found in the Pacifica is the best example yet. In our review vehicle, the dashboard-mounted 8.4-inch touchscreen is joined by two 10-inch seatback mounted touchscreens. Operating the system is relatively easy and the options list continues to grow year after year. Smartphone integration is relatively seamless thanks the Pacifica’s standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and available 4G Wi-Fi.
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.
Chrysler Pacifica’s standard audio includes six speakers and Active Noise Cancellation. However, considering the availability of dual 10-inch screens, it makes sense to round out the rolling theater experience with one of the two premium audio systems. Consumers can opt for a 13-speaker Alpine system or go all-in with a 20-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.
Safety technology is also abundant with more than 100 standard and available safety and security features. Highlights include parallel/perpendicular park assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and a 360-degree Surround View Camera.
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.
It’s a Van Inside
SUV owners will argue that they have everything a minivan has, but the low cargo floor area found in minivans is the game changer. Offering 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space with all the seats in use and up to 140.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded, the Pacifica holds its own in the cargo department with all but the largest gas-guzzling SUVs on the market.
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.
Pricing
The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid starts at $40,245 plus destination charges. Our nicely-equipped Limited model had a sticker price of $50,800, including a $1,495 destination charge.
Final Verdict
The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid’s comfortable interior, long list of technology features and ample cargo space make it a fantastic family vehicle. Add in the 520 mile range, excellent fuel economy and stellar driving dynamics and the Pacifica is arguably the perfect cross-country trip vehicle. Turns out the only minivan option in 1984 remains one of the best options in 2019.
Chris Brewer is an automotive writer and photographer living in Northeast Florida. Chris is a regular contributor to numerous automotive magazines and founded Jacksonville Car Culture, an automotive lifestyle firm that runs Jacksonville’s Cars & Coffee. Chris also works as the director of communications for The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, a world-renowned automotive event and two-time winner of the International Historic Motoring Event of the Year award. He also has a doctorate degree from The Institute for Worship Studies.
