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A popular thought in automotive circles is that Chrysler invented the minivan with the 1983 introduction of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager.

The folks from VW would scoff at that notion. The Germans introduced the first Transporter — also known affectionately as the Bus or Microbus — in 1950. And the company has been in the van business ever since, producing a series of vans known as Transporter across the pond, but Vanagon or EuroVan in the U.S. VW still builds Transporters for the European market, so this new Routan seems a little odd.

That’s because instead of bringing the current Transporter to the U.S., VW partnered with Chrysler for a version of its new Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country.

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I was looking at the long, sensuous lines of the VW CC when it hit me. The CC is what Chrysler’s Sebring could have and should have been.
No, nobody should expect Chrysler to build a better near-luxury German sedan than VW. But what the small Auburn Hills automaker could do is give its cars evocative, beautiful styling.
Look, lovely, well-proportioned cars shouldn’t cost that much more to build than boring ones. Chrysler was onto the trend toward sedans with rakish profiles with its new Sebring, introduced in 2007. But Chrysler’s designers missed an opportunity to create a star.
Who wouldn’t want to buy beautiful, well-shaped cars?
The basis for the Sebring was the well-received 2003 Chrysler Airflite concept. But the car that Chrysler eventually introduced did not have the Airflite’s graceful lines.
The CC has the long, graceful profile that is similar to the Airflite.
It’s one of the missed opportunities that Chrysler can no longer afford. The next round of new Chrysler car needs styling that makes car buyers gravitate to the showroom.

These types of cars — sedans with coupe-like profiles — have become popular in recent years, but mainly in high-end luxury cars such as Mercedes and Audi. The VW CC could be considered the first entry at a more affordable price point.

My first thought is the CC is difficult to get into. I’m 5-foot-10, so getting into a sedan shouldn’t require a head-ectomy. But every time I get in, I feel like I’m trying to fold myself into the Apollo Lunar module.

As always, the 200-horsepower, turbocharged, 2.0-liter four cylinder provides teriffic throttle response and unexpected quickness. It does seem a little coarse for a car that goes for more $36K.

Watch this space for a full review soon.