Chrysler's hit a quiet stretch, with no new products on the horizon -- but that doesn't mean it doesn't have something to entice you on the auto show floor.

While Dodge is going full steam with new products such as the Dodge Journey and various high-performance products, and has the all-new Dodge Ram coming in the fall, Chrysler's playing its cards close to its chest.

The brand is in transition right now, with its designers, engineers and company officials trying to pin down exactly what Chrysler should be and what products it will emphasize.

But don't let that bother you one little bit, because it's got at least one terrific product right now: the 2008 Town & Country minivan.

A writer for the Wall Street Journal, taking in the luxurious appointments and elegant profile, called the new minivan the most impressive car in the company's fleet, and compared it to a limousine.

Yes, the Town & Country is that beautiful, and that classy -- especially in black or some other dark color.

The styling of the car resembles the Chrysler 300, itself a magnificent, elegant piece of work, so it should come as no surprise that the minivan is pretty tasteful too. There's just enough chrome and bright work to show off all of its features to advantage.

And on top of that, this year's Town & Country models cost less than the previous versions, and offer more standard equipment, too.

Let's take a look at the top-of-the-line Limited model, for instance.

While every Town & Country minivan gets more standard equipment than last year, including electronic stability program, side curtain air bags, six-speed automatic transaxle, overhead console, and other items, the Limited also gets HID headlamps, a MYGIG multimedia system, LED interior lighting that adds ambience at night, a four-liter V-6 engine and a six-speed automatic transaxle.

Prices start at $23,190 for the Chrysler minivans, and in most cases prices are anywhere from $835 to $3,585 less than 2007 models. Fuel mileage rating is 17/24.

There are a number of interesting options for the Town & Country. They include an option package with an entertainment system with voice-activated capability, navigation system, Sirius satellite radio and Sirius TV with three channels of family programming. The vehicle also includes a jukebox feature for personalized playlists and the ability to rip an MP3 or WMV file directly to the hard drive.

People who sit in the second and third rows won't be at each other's mercy, either, when it comes to in-car entertainment. Each row can select its own entertainment.

Another interesting feature is Chrysler's new "Swivel 'n Go" option. With this feature, the second-row seats can be swiveled 180-degrees to face the third-row sets, thus creating a conversation area or cove. A table comes with the setup, which can be installed between the seats.

Among other conveniences are dishwasher-safe cup holders -- a godsend to any parent who knows all too well about the dirt and goo that can accumulate in these things -- and lighting that illuminates door pockets, the overhead console and even the cup holders.

Driving the new Town & Country is a pleasure. It feels very much like the typical standard-size passenger car, and visibility is excellent in all directions, thanks to picture-window-size glass.

Handling is stable -- almost energetic -- with well-balanced steering and strong brakes. Safety equipment is generous including all-row supplemental side-curtain air bags with rollover protection, an electronic stability program with traction control and brake assist, and driver and passenger seat belts that have automatic locking retractors and height adjustable turning loops.

There's a new 4.0-liter, 240-horsepower V-6 available, mated to a new six-speed transaxle, along with a 3.8-liter, 197-horsepower V-6 with the same transaxle. A third engine is a 175-horsepower, 3.3-liter, flex fuel-capable V-6 with a four-speed transaxle.