Chrysler includes its 4-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick sequential manual shift mode as standard equipment. It's a nice addition for holding gears through winding back roads but isn't as well suited to this application as it is in the 300M. Either the gear ratios are optimized for the heavier vehicle or something was a little out of whack in my pre-production test vehicle, because often second was too high and third to low to effectively accelerate. After a while I just left the transmission in drive and enjoyed the experience a lot more. Once again, I was pushing the Pacifica to a limit most people won't on an everyday basis. For the vast majority of road respecting drivers the current set up with be more than adequate.

There is some 'unofficial' talk about adding the option of Chrysler's 345-hp 5.7-L Hemi V8 that is destined for the next generation 300M. While the big engine would no doubt improve acceleration the premium paid at the pump might be hard to swallow, especially at the rate fuel prices have been escalating lately. The 3.5-L V6 is probably the best power and fuel efficiency compromise considering the world's current tumultuous political state.