Chrysler Just Unveiled an Off-Road Camper Van Concept

Chrysler is proving that the Pacifica minivan is about more than fetching children from sports practices.

The Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak concept, unveiled recently in Colorado, can even go off-road—should go off-road, in fact. The concept’s suspension has been lifted by 2.75 inches for better ground clearance. There is all-wheel drive and 31-inch all-terrain tires for more grip on trails and increased durability. And, of course, you can sleep in the back for when the sun’s gone down and your time navigating trails and taking in the great outdoors is done for the day.

On top is a Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform, which can hold a spare tire in addition to other gear. Also on the roof is a retractable awning, for when one is parked and needs protection from the sun and elements. Fog lamps are embedded up front to increase visibility in iffy weather.

On the inside, the third row of seating is gone in favor of more cargo space, and an area to lie flat with sleeping bags or other nighttime aids. The seat belts are orange, and there are other small accents, like a “sport steering wheel” that communicates to drivers that the Pacifica they are piloting isn’t just a regular minivan. There are extra power outlets.

Chrysler said that the Grizzly Peak is the product of observation of van life, which exploded during the pandemic as a way to get outdoors and show social media what you’ve been up to.

“We’ve been following van life for years, and we know adventurers really value the versatility the Pacifica delivers,” Chris Feuell, Chrysler’s CEO, said in a statement. “Our Chrysler design studio nailed the brief and really dove in. They lifted the suspension, added useful, functional features, including a roof-mounted Rhino-Rack Pioneer Platform rack, TYRI LED lighting, and ARB retractable awning, and tailored the cabin for sleeping to create this Pacifica Grizzly Peak concept as a test bed.”

Chrysler did not name a price for the Pacifica Grizzly Peak, since, for now, it exists only as a concept, but it’d be nice if it did go into production. The Pacifica starts at $42,450, and the Grizzly Peak would likely add several thousand dollars to that price. That still might be a bargain in the van life scene, where setups often run into the six figures.

Click here for more photos of the Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak.

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