Ram Trucks->ke4211 just announced its newest product headed for the U.S. marketplace, the 2015 Ram ProMaster City. For American buyers, the ProMaster City might be all-new, but in actuality, the Class One light van ->ke1149 has deep roots in Europe as the Fiat->ke30 Doblò. The Fiat was introduced in 2000 and saw its second generation come in 2010. Now in its third generation, the Fiat is dawning a Ram grille, rear trim pieces, and an Americanized powertrain we’re familiar with in other Chrysler->ke21 products.

The jump across the Atlantic Ocean makes perfect sense for Ram as its competition have developed some small vans of their own, namely the Chevrolet City Express, Ford Transit Connect, and the Nissan NV200. The American van market hasn’t been this hot since the 1970s when full-size conversion vans and hippy machines were all the rage. Now smaller yet more mature, these vans are taking care of work rather than pleasure. You won’t find any shag carpet or chrome side pipes here -- it’s all about cargo capacity, interior volume, fuel economy, and overall cost of ownership.

Though Ram hasn’t release many of the important data facts like price and fuel economy, brand CEO Reid Bigland says the ProMaster City will lead the class in several key area, making it a top choice for small businesses and delivery services across the country.

Click past the jump for the full rundown on the 2015 Ram ProMaster City

2015 Ram ProMaster City

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Ram ProMaster City
  • Horsepower: 178
  • Torque: 174
  • Transmission: Nine-Speed Auto
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

2015 Ram ProMaster City

Exterior

The old expression about putting lipstick on a pig seems to be rather applicable here. The ProMaster City is basically unchanged from its European->ke139 tour except for a big swatch of Ram draped across the front. The European cues are still heavily visible like the high-mounted headlights that keep the away from low-speed impacts, its sloping hood, and stubby front overhang.

That headlight thing is actually an interesting feature. It seems Ram (or Fiat before them) shows true concern about customer usage and how these vans will likely live hard lives bumping into stuff and hauling things around crowded city epicenters. The replacement cost for the front bumper and grille should be much less than those plus two headlights.

The customer focus carries around the rear as well, with 60/40 split rear doors that open at 90- and 180-degrees for easy access. Two sliding side doors also make entering and exiting the ProMaster City very easy. Also easy should be driving the van around in tight spaces with its large windshield and sloping hood. Decently-sized side mirrors help the driver keep watch on things around the ProMaster City’s sides.

2014 Fiat Doblò

Interior

Inside the Ram ProMaster City, there is loads of functionality -- and not just in the back end. The dashboard is all business with a large center console for the available Uconnect infotainment system. The center-mounted gear selector not only looks good but helps define the driver and passenger seating spaces. The Steering wheels has controls for the various menus within the center gauge cluster and Uconnect system. In front of the passenger is a small cubby space for storing odds and ends like gloves or keys.

The real story with the ProMaster City, is of course, with the back end. The large cargo area is designed to fit plenty of equipment and goods, from welding tools to wedding cakes. Even the space between the fender wells measures 48.4 inches wide -- big enough for a loaded pallet of goods to be placed between. The high roof and low load floor give 51.8 inches of cargo height to work with, while 87.2 inches of length ensures plenty of stuff will fit between the front seats and rear doors.

Now the ProMaster City does come in both the cargo and passenger van configurations. It’s no 15-passenger church van,->ke1195 but the second row bench seat accommodates three extra people, bringing the total passenger count to five. Behind the second row is still a respectable four feet of cargo room. It’s easy to imagine the ProMaster City being an excellent airport transporter or even a taxi.

With the cargo version, Ram knew customers would be throwing in custom shelving and tool racks. Not only does Ram offers some ‘plug-n-play’ equipment made for the van, but the van’s actual design makes it easy for aftermarket upfitters to install shelving. The side walls are nearly vertical and the high roof design gives plenty of extra storage space.

Drivetrain

Moving the ProMaster City down the road is the familiar 2.4-liter, Tigershark, inline-four-cylinder engine. While it’s a new powertrain for the van as European models come with different equipment, you’ll remember the Tigershark from the Dodge Dart->ke4128 and Chrysler 200.

In this application, the 2.4-liter produces 178 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 174 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Ram is quick to point out the Tigershark wins the numbers game with the competition in terms of horsepower and torque. It's also best in class in payload capacity at 1,883 pounds and interior volume at 131.7 cubic-feet.

Mated to the 2.4-liter I-4 is Chrysler’s nine-speed automatic transmission. Those extra gears combined with the Tigershark’s good levels of efficiency, and the ProMaster City should return some decent fuel economy numbers. Ram is touting it will be best-in-class. The drivetrain powers the front wheels while the rear wheels simply trail behind, connected via coil springs and twin trailing arms.

2015 Ram ProMaster City - Drivetrain/Specifications

Type

2.4-LITER 24-VALVE DOHC I-4

Description

Inline four-cylinder, 16-valve MultiAir2 with multiport fuel injection

Displacement

144 cu. in. (2,360 cc)

Bore x Stroke

3.46 x 3.82 (88 x 97)

Valve System

SOHC, four valves per cylinder (16 total)

Fuel Injection

Sequential, multi-port, electronic, returnless

Construction

Cylinder Block -– high pressure die cast aluminum.
Aluminum alloy cylinder head

Compression Ratio

10:1

Power (SAE net)

178 HP @ 6,400 RPM

Torque (SAE net)

174 LB-FT @ 3,900 RPM

Max. Engine Speed

6,300 rpm (electronically limited)

Fuel Requirement

Unleaded regular, 87 octane

Oil Capacity

5.5 qt. (5.2 liter)

Coolant Capacity

7.1 qt. (6.7 liter)


Pricing

Ram hasn’t released any data on pricing, but Ram CEO Reid Bigland kept saying the ProMaster City would have the lowest overall cost of ownership in comparison with the competition. With the least expensive competitor staring at $20,290, expect the Ram ProMaster City to start around the $19,000 mark.

Ram says the ProMaster City will be become available around December 2014 and into the early months of 2015. It will be built along side the current Fiat Doblò at the TOFAS plant in Bursa, Turkey.

Competition

Chevrolet City Express / Nissan NV200

The Chevrolet City Express and Nissan NV200 are essentially the same vehicle, just different badges on the front. The pair do have their own pricing scales, which places Nissan nearly $1,000 less expensive than the Chevy. Perhaps Chevy has to cover the cost of renting the Nissan design and slapping a bowtie atop the obvious Nissan steering wheel.

Power comes from Nissan’s 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder that makes 131 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque, while CVT puts power to the front wheels. The Nissan NV200 has a starting price of $20,290 while the Chevrolet comes in at $21,955.

Ford Transit Connect

The Transit Connect can also trace its roots back to the not-so-distant past in Europe. In fact, the van is still sold over there. The recently-revised Transit Connect is easily the best looking van of the bunch, while its interior is definitely the most high-class.

Power for the Ford come with your choice of a 2.5-liter, inline-four-cylinder engine that makes an estimated 175 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque or the 1.6-liter. turbocharged inline-four-cylinder making and estimated 178 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.

Pricing for the Ford Transit Connect starts at $22,000 and grows from there depending on options, one of which is a two-row passenger van like the ProMaster City.

Conclusion

We already know the Ram ProMaster City will be a good van -- its Fiat corporate twin has already been voted the Van of the Year two times in Europe. Though with a different powertrain that’s technically unproven, the Ram will have to work hard to earn customers’ hard-earned cash. With a solid design and loads of interior cargo room, the Ram is sure to be a strong rival against Ford and Chevy. It’s just so nice to see the ‘Big Three’ battle it out over the van market again. It’s certainly been a while.