Introducing the 2014 Ram ProMaster Commercial Van

[Yo Hoot]

North American debut of world-class, torque-rich 3. 0-liter I-4 EcoDiesel (available) promises best-in-class fuel efficiency, robust capability, and long service intervals
The new 2014 Ram ProMaster is based on the front-wheel-drive Fiat Ducato, the most popular full-size van in Europe.

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http://blog.ramtrucks.com/features/...ign=KMFeb0713Facebook2&ism=KMFeb0713Facebook2

 

[jgillott]

I find it really interesting that they mention a 6-speed manual trans being available.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Fiat Ducato

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[DAN V]

Furd mirrors

Is it just me or do those mirrors look similar to the Furd mirrors?

 

[AClayton]

Is it just me? I just can't accept that thing as being labeled a Ram!!!

 

[HBarlow]

I prefer that Mr. Marchionni name that thing a Ram instead of renaming all future Ram trucks FIAT. It's his choice.

 

[Yo Hoot]

I prefer that Mr. Marchionni name that thing a Ram instead of renaming all future Ram trucks FIAT. It's his choice.

This is true. So none of the big three make a truck based van anymore? I just don't see the utility in a front wheel drive low powered full size van... tow rating is like 5000 lbs. Payload can't be that great.

 

[HBarlow]

I doubt it. I don't think they're selling any longer. I think all three, GM, Ferd, and Ram have stopped production.

 

[rscurtis]

AFAIK, Chevy/GMC is still in the van business, and have the Duramax option of which I've seen very few. It's around a $12K option. RAM hasn't made any vans since I bought my signature truck, the dealer still had the last production in inventory. Ford will replace its E-series van later this year with a new van using either their Eco-boost engines or a 5-cylinder diesel.

 

[NIsaacs]

Isn't Ram part of the Sprinter van? I would think that this new van would be in direct competiton, or no?



Nick

 

[Yo Hoot]

Isn't Ram part of the Sprinter van? I would think that this new van would be in direct competiton, or no?

Nick

Sprinter left when Daimler left

 

[mwilson]

Isn't Ram part of the Sprinter van? I would think that this new van would be in direct competiton, or no?



Nick

The Sprinter is a Daimler product. The poor things are branded 3 different ways.



Dodge Sprinter, Freightliner Sprinter and Mercedes Sprinter. A complete disaster as only a few Freightliner Dealers are franchised. Dodge dealers got stuck with the brunt of it. Parts are expensive and they are miserable to work on. Also the body panels are like a double skin which makes collision repairs a complete nightmare from what I have been told.



I'm sure that this Fiat offering will result in Dodge cutting the ties with Mercedes where the Sprinter is concerned.



Dodge never should have pulled out of the work man market like they did, it alienated some really loyal customers.



Mike.

 

[crispyboy]

I thought the new Nissan work van was ugly but the spaghetti designers couldn't make this thing uglier if they tried.

 

[mwilson]

I thought the new Nissan work van was ugly but the spaghetti designers couldn't make this thing uglier if they tried.

A pinwheel on each end of the bumper might do it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Wheeeeee, Wheeeeee, Wheeeeeee

Mike.

 

[MChrist]

The article claims a 5,000+lb payload capacity... I'm looking out my window at a foot of snow and ice and trying to picture a front wheel drive van with 5,000 lbs in the back trying to climb a steep driveway. I would have to see it to believe it. Maybe the weight distribution is better than I am thinking it is, so as long as there is at least equal weight over the front end it may be fine.
Time will tell. Also, the 3. 0 Eco diesel has similar power to the Sprinter, and I haven't heard a Sprinter owner complain that it wasn't enough.

I'm keeping my eyes open on this one. We will be trading out our Chevy vans next year for something like this. I hope it works, because we have a decent Dodge dealer nearby. If they work on these, that would be a benefit. Otherwise, the nearest Sprinter dealer is over an hour away. The only thing keeping me from buying a new Sprinter is the RUST I see on every single Sprinter I see here!!! If it's more than a few years old, it has rust streaks running down the sides. It may be the rustiest vehicle line I've ever seen!!

 

[mwilson]

The article claims a 5,000+lb payload capacity... I'm looking out my window at a foot of snow and ice and trying to picture a front wheel drive van with 5,000 lbs in the back trying to climb a steep driveway. I would have to see it to believe it. Maybe the weight distribution is better than I am thinking it is, so as long as there is at least equal weight over the front end it may be fine.

Time will tell. Also, the 3. 0 Eco diesel has similar power to the Sprinter, and I haven't heard a Sprinter owner complain that it wasn't enough.



I'm keeping my eyes open on this one. We will be trading out our Chevy vans next year for something like this. I hope it works, because we have a decent Dodge dealer nearby. If they work on these, that would be a benefit. Otherwise, the nearest Sprinter dealer is over an hour away. The only thing keeping me from buying a new Sprinter is the RUST I see on every single Sprinter I see here!!! If it's more than a few years old, it has rust streaks running down the sides. It may be the rustiest vehicle line I've ever seen!!

Some Freightliner Dealers had purchased Sprinters for outside sales and parts delivery. We had a dealer meeting in the Philly area some years back so a lot of people from dealerships close by arrived in various Sprinters. These vehicles were only a year or two old and just as you say there was rust all over the stupid things. I was shocked.



Mike.

 

[NIsaacs]

A pinwheel on each end of the bumper might do it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Wheeeeee, Wheeeeee, Wheeeeeee







View attachment 84181





Mike.

Don't you mean "oink oink":-laf



Nick

 

[mwilson]

I got it, I got it... . !!!



The new Dodge / Fiat van platform is a wonderful base vehicle for Pakistani "Jingle Van" conversions... ... . they will sell like hotcakes over there...

Can you see the potential????

 

[Yo Hoot]

Truthfully, looks and utility aren't necessarily a required combination. Most commercial buyers don't pay much attention to looks. It's like who cares what a schoolbus looks like or a commercial white van.
I don't think it's any uglier than the Sprinter. They claim they put the lights up high to reduce repair cost from light accidents.

Remember the dustbuster? Now in the consumer world, looks does matter.

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[mwilson]

Truthfully, looks and utility aren't necessarily a required combination. Most commercial buyers don't pay much attention to looks. It's like who cares what a schoolbus looks like or a commercial white van.

That is right, it really doesn't matter to most. If it does, the new vinyl wraps make short work of a boring old white van. We had an M2 in here the other day where they had done a wrap for the hood and it looked pretty sharp.



Mike.