Chrysler has announced that its next generation of minivans will feature all-wheel drive, according to an interview with CEO Sergio Marchionne by the Detroit News.

Marchionne dropped a few hints about the new minivan platform that Chrysler is developing in comments to the news provider. The new platform will support all-wheel drive and will be used on at least two models, which Marchionne described as a "classic minivan" and a "people mover that is still taking shape."

"This platform better have more capability than the one we have, including all-wheel drive capability and the ability to get narrower," Marchionne told the news source.

Most minivans don't offer all-wheel drive, as flexible seating capabilities typically prevent the architecture underneath the car from supporting it. Currently, the only model that does feature all-wheel drive is the Toyota Sienna. Chrysler models had the feature up until 2004, when they elected to go with stow-and-go seating instead.

The talk of two distinct models built on the same platform will likely relate to the future of the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country. The automaker has expressed interest in differentiating these cars before, so one will likely retain the minivan shape while the other goes in a different direction.

Chrysler minivans are scheduled for a redesign in 2014. In the meantime, families in the market for a vehicle can shop the wide variety of cars for sale at New Jersey State Auto Auction.