The 2008 Chrysler Town & Country represents the fifth all-new version of the vehicle that created the minivan market (and the name) in 1983. Some 11 million sales later, show models unveiled in January at Detroit's North American International Auto Show suggest that Chrysler's minivans will be better and more family friendly than ever.

The 2008 Chrysler Town & Country will be offered in three trim levels, distinguished by both engine size and standard features. The line-topping Town & Country Limited will feature a more powerful, more up-to-date 4.0-liter V6, with the first six-speed automatic transmission offered in a minivan.

The 2008 Town & Country will offer more seating possibilities than ever. The standard configuration is a two-place, second-row bench seat with in-floor storage bins and a third-row bench that folds flat in the floor. A class-exclusive power-folding rear seat is optional. Next up is Chrysler's familiar Stow 'n Go option, which features second-row captain's chairs that also fold flat into the floor. Yet the big news is a new seating package called Swivel 'n Go.

With Swivel 'n Go, the second-row seats swivel 180 degrees to face the third row. Monopoly, anyone? The package includes a removable table that installs between the two rows, and an integrated child booster seat in the second-row.

Chrysler says the 2008 Town & Country sports 35 new or improved features and more storage options than ever, including a new, removable sliding front console that is large enough to store a purse. Optional features are many, starting with remote starting, stain-resistant, odor-resistant, anti-static cloth fabric, a removable flashlight in the rear quarter panel, second- and third-row retractable sun shades, power sliding doors and liftgate, movable, pinpoint LED reading lamps and dual- or tri-zone heating and cooling.

Safety equipment in the 2008 Town & Country will match the class benchmark, starting with six airbags: front-impact and side-impact airbags for front passengers and curtain-style head-protection airbags for all three rows of seats. Electronic stability control with traction control and brake assist is also standard. A rear back-up camera, a rearview interior conversation mirror, and a back-up warning system will be available.

The 2008 Town & Country's line-topping engine is the new overhead cam 4.0-liter V6 recently introduced in the Chrysler Pacifica, matched with a six-speed automatic transmission. In the Town & Country, this engine will deliver 240 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, and it should be an improvement over existing engines in both performance and smoothness.