Say hello to Ram’s not-so-compact van
ProMaster City aims to balance cargo capacity and fuel economy
Hot on the heels of the launch of the full-sized ProMaster van, Ram is set to release its smaller sibling, the ProMaster City.
It will be offered in cargo van and passenger wagon versions. Based on the Fiat Doblò, the new compact van (a term used advisedly because it is a fairly big rig) is touted as being best in class for cargo capacity, payload, power, fuel efficiency and the one thing commercial buyers hold above all else — ownership and operational costs.
The core of the ProMaster City is a steel unibody that’s aimed at keeping the curb weight low and the payload capability high. In this case, the payload rates a stout 833 kilograms. It also arrives with the longest wheelbase in the segment — at 3,110 millimetres, the van version brings a load floor that stretches 2,115 mm from the back of the front seats to the rear 60/40 swing doors (the two sliding side doors open to a full 660 mm, allowing access to the stuff at the front of the load bay).
It also puts 1,230 mm between the wheel wells, meaning it accommodates a standard four-foot wide piece of drywall between them with about 10 millimetres to spare. There are six tiedowns to secure said load. Finally, the City van boasts a total cargo carrying capacity of 3,730 litres and it will also be offered with a variety of storage and rack systems through Mopar, which allows the complete customization of the load area.
The passenger wagon adds a three-seat second row, giving it five-passenger capability. With the seats upright there’s around 1,220 mm of cargo floor left; with the seat tumbled up against the front seats it expands to 1,828 mm in length.
The front-drive ProMaster City is powered by Chrysler’s 2.4-litre Tigershark fourcylinder, teamed with a segment-first nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 178 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, which, according to Ram, is enough to motivate the ProMaster City to 100 kilometres an hour in about 10 seconds.
To improve overall efficiency, the alternator only charges when the City is coasting or during braking, which not only reduces the parasitic losses, it leaves all of the horsepower available to propel the vehicle under acceleration. The other move is a variable air conditioning compressor. Unlike most, which operate on an on/off basis, the City’s compressor has several operation speeds.
The ProMaster City also differs for competing vans in that it uses a two-link, coil spring rear suspension rather than the usual leaf springs. Ram says the adoption of a multi-link suspension works to improve ride comfort while maintaining the payload. It rides on traditional MacPherson struts up front.
From florists to painters and just about every commercial user in between, Ram says the ProMaster City is ideally suited to the job.
It goes on sale at the end of 2014 as a 2015 model. Pricing and complete specifications will be available closer to launch date.