This week Chrysler shows they have aggressive plans for the commercial truck and van market, expanding their RAM ProMaster series to include a new Class 1 compact cargo and passenger van.
The 2015 Ram ProMaster City which is based off the Fiat Doblò van, will compete in North America directly with the Ford Transit Connect, Nissan NV200 and Chevrolet City vans.
To be available in cargo and passenger wagon versions, new ProMaster City will have under hood Chrysler’s 2.4 liter TigerShark MultiAir2 four-cylinder engine and segment first 9-speed automatic transmission.
This is essentially the same North American power-train we find most recently in the Chrysler 200 and the Jeep Cherokee.
The engine offers up 178 horsepower and 174 lb.-ft. of torque and Chrysler says best-in-class combined fuel economy ratings. It will come with a power-train warranty of five years and 100,000 miles.
Payload capacity is 1,883 pounds with a cargo volume of 131.7 cubic feet. Distance between wheel wells is just over four feet, and wall to wall clearance is just over five feet. The walls are nearly vertical which upfitters will be pleased with, enabling a better canvas for installing racks, equipment and other purpose built equipment.
Each side of ProMaster City has a sliding 26” door. Rear doors feature a 60/40 split, the larger door swinging open toward traffic, making it easier to access the curbside of the van. Doors initially swing open 90 degrees, and can swing to 180 degrees.
A variety of trim and window configurations will be offered as well as security panels to meet a wide range of customer needs. Ram already has a growing list of personalization and upfit options in the wings for the launch next year.
A five-seat passenger Wagon will be available with a higher level of creature comforts and infotainment options. The latter will be available with up to seven airbags as well as stability control for passenger safety.
Though the van is based on a proven and award winning architecture in Europe, North American engineers subjected the front-wheel-drive van to a full battery of severe-duty testing to assure reliability and ruggedness expected here in the States.
With front-wheel-drive and a coil spring independent rear suspension, the uni-body compact van ought to offer up exceptional handling and ride in most cities where road surfaces aren’t always all that smooth.
The 2015 Ram ProMaster City is built in Bursa, Turkey, at a plant awarded a World Class Manufacturing Gold Medal, before being imported to North America.
