The 2010 Routan And Its 4.0 Engine

All new in 2009, the Volkswagen Routan minivan hasbelt-driven overhead camshafts. The 4.0-liter version
no powertrain changes for 2010. The Routan is afirst appeared in 2007, sporting various minor
restyled version of the Dodge Caravan and Chryslerrefinements intended to reduce noise and vibration.
Town & Country, and shares theirThe version in the Routan is rated at 251 horsepower
Chrysler-designed V6 engines.and 259 lb-ft of torque.
S and SE models are powered by a 3.8-liter V6.The 3.8-liter V6 has adequate power, but only the
Known as the EGH, it is a 12-valve pushrod engine,4.0-liter engine can rival the muscle of the
with a cast-iron block and aluminum heads. This engine250-horsepower Honda Odyssey or the
was introduced in 1991, although it has been265-horsepower Toyota Sienna. Naturally, the
progressively updated since then. In 2006, ChryslerRoutan's performance is very similar to a Dodge
retuned it for stronger mid-range torque, at the cost ofCaravan or Chrysler Town & Country with the
some top-end horsepower. In the Routan, the 3.8-litersame engine. Neither Chrysler engine is as smooth or
engine is rated at 197 horsepower and 230 lb-ft ofrefined as its Honda and Toyota rivals, but engine
torque.noise is well subdued.
Standard on SEL and SEL Premium models is aEPA fuel economy ratings are actually better for the
4.0-liter V6. This SOHC engine, known as the EGQ, is4.0-liter engine, an estimated 17/25 city/highway,
the latest iteration of a Chrysler engine family thatcompared to 16/23 for the 3.8-liter. However, the
dates back to 1993. It shares some basic architecture3.8-liter engine burns regular gasoline, while
with the EGH engine, but it has an aluminum block withVolkswagen recommends mid-grade fuel for the
iron cylinder liners, four valves per cylinder, and4.0-liter.