Unlike other carmakers, Chrysler -- the brand, not the company -- is playing its hand pretty close to the vest on its future model lineup.

I have heard through the grapevine that an all-new 300 is on the way, probably for the 2010 model year, and I know that substantial styling and design changes are coming for the Sebring, or whatever Chrysler chooses to call its future mid-size car.

Meanwhile, 2009 generally is a quiet model year for the brand, except for trim, interior colors, and perhaps a few new options here and there.

But if I were to pick a star of Chrysler's show, it would be the minivan, hands down. The 2009 Town & Country continues the beat with new trim and features such as SmartBeam to dim headlights in traffic, blind spot monitoring, and a rear cross path system that warns of cross traffic as you back out of parking spaces -- an important safety feature. Prices on the Town & Country range from $26,500 to $37,300.

The styling of the Town & Country 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, Town & Country models cost less than the previous versions, and offer more standard equipment, including electronic stability program, side curtain air bags, six-speed automatic transaxle and overhead console. The Limited also has 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.

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 and can be installed between the seats.

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 and includes 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.

Engine options include a new 4.0-liter, 240-horsepower V-6, 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.