Ride & Drive: 2015 Ram ProMaster City
Ram recently rolled out its all-new model, specifically designed to meet the needs of commercial customers.
This week I had an opportunity to evaluate the ProMaster City, available in two-seat cargo van and five-seat passenger van configurations.
With a base price starting at $23,130, I was absolutely blown away by the ProMaster City's versatility, maneuverability, capability and how little it cost to operate.
From delivery to trades, the ProMaster City can be customized to fit just about any specific commercial need.
Competing in the Class 1 van segment, here are a few of the "Best in Class" features of the ProMaster City:
• Payload — 1,883 pounds.
• Cargo volume — 131.7 cubic feet.
• Cargo width and length — 60.4 inches and 87.2 inches, respectively.
• Distance between wheel wells — 48.4 inches.
• Wheelbase — 122.4 inches.
• EPA fuel economy — 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, 24 mpg combined.
• Powertrain warranty — 5-years/100,000-miles.
• More than 30 safety and security features, including seven available airbags and electronic stability control technologies.
While all those "Best in Class" figures are impressive, what turned my head the most is how easy it is to drive — even in tight city spaces.
Having driven many commercial vehicles, I have to admit that in nearly every case, I couldn't wait for the evaluation period to end.
I can't say that about the ProMaster City. I really enjoyed driving it. OK, it's not a Dodge Challenger, but I wouldn't mind driving it every day.
The ProMaster City is powered by the 2.4-liter Tigershark I-4 engine producing "Best in Class" 178 horsepower and 174 lbs.-ft. torque. It is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Based on the highly successful Fiat Doblo (with 1.3 million units sold), the ProMaster City incorporates familiar Ram Truck design elements while offering features, systems and powertrains preferred by North American customers. It's also the second shared collaboration with Fiat Profession (Chrysler's parent company). The first collaboration was the 2014 Ram ProMaster full-size van.
Although a collaborative effort based on the Fiat Doblo, the ProMaster City is very much a made for North America commercial van, designed to tackle big jobs while delivering the versatile functionality, durability, ride and handling that North American customers demand.
I have to share a great quote from Bob Hegbloom, president and CEO of Ram Truck Brand, made while introducing the ProMaster City. "As businesses strive for lower costs, the demand for a smaller, more efficient van has increased and Ram Commercial is answering the bell with the all-new ProMaster City. Years ago, the selection of delivery and cargo vehicles was limited and those offerings didn't focus on cost of ownership. Today, all of that has changed with the recent introduction of the full-size Ram ProMaster, and now the Ram ProMaster City."
For businesses in the market for a delivery or cargo van, the 2015 Ram ProMaster City is an absolute must for the test drive list.
Neal White has been covering the automotive industry for more than 20 years and is affiliated with the Texas Auto Writers Association.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS:
MODEL:
2015 Ram ProMaster City
2- or 5-seat Class 1 commercial van
Front-wheel drive
Trim packages:
Tradesman Cargo Van, Tradesman SLT Cargo Van; Wagon, Wagon SLT
PRICE RANGE:
Starting at $23,130
ENGINE:
2.4L I4 (178 hp/174 T)
TRANSMISSION:
9-speed automatic
EPA: 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway
FUEL: Regular unleaded
STABILITY CONTROL:
Electronic stability control with all speed traction control
BRAKES: ABS
LENGTH: 187.5 inches
WHEELBASE: 122.4 inches
WIDTH: 72.1 inches
HEIGHT: 74 inches
WEIGHT: 3,512-3,695 pounds
TRACK: 60/60.9
(front/rear)
FUEL TANK: 16 gallons
TIRES: 16-inch
CARGO:
LENGTH - 87.2
WIDTH - 60.4
HEIGHT - 51.8
VOLUME - 131.7 cubic ft.