Topic: First Drive: 2014 Ram ProMaster

[Sir Osis of Liver]

That's a pretty positive review. Good for Chrysler.

Don't mention the war

I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it. 

Another great review Jacob!

I just got that, BWAHAHAHA

"Basil: Is there something wrong?
Elder Herr: Will you stop talking about the war?
Basil: Me! You started it!
Elder Herr: We did not start it!
Basil: Yes you did — you invaded Poland."

 

Best Fawlty Towers episode ever!

[Fobroader]

That's a pretty positive review. Good for Chrysler.

Don't mention the war

I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it. 

Another great review Jacob!

I just got that, BWAHAHAHA

"Basil: Is there something wrong?
Elder Herr: Will you stop talking about the war?
Basil: Me! You started it!
Elder Herr: We did not start it!
Basil: Yes you did — you invaded Poland."

 

Best Fawlty Towers episode ever!

Absolutely!!!! "So, that's two egg mayonnaise, a prawn Goebbels, a Hermann Goering, and four Colditz salads." Oh my god how I miss that show.........

[KD]

I actually like the looks of this...kind of a purposeful look to it.  I think this will sell very well especially in the diesel version.  I see a lot of local contractor and delivery vehicles using the Sprinter CDI versions as they are very practical and relatively efficient, so I see no reason this trend will stop.  It will be a winner in the RV segment as well.  I have never driven the Sprinter, but was very familiar with the old RAM cargo van and it was hands-down the WORST vehicle i have ever driven!! 

[walk0080]

Wow talk about fugly looking in that colour. Maybe all blacked-out would be almost acceptable but this is not marketed to me. Glad to see they offer two engine choices.

I still much prefer the MB Sprinter (170" dualy), but I suppose you pay $$ for that. Still waiting for an AWD Sprinter to start an RV van conversion some day... (I might be waiting a loooong time).

[dirtyjeffer]

they have AWD Sprinters in Europe...not sure why they don't have them here.

[Ex-airbalancer]

No heated seat option , no place for an iPad
I am surprise there is also no option for a wall behind the driver seat

[PJ]

Wonder why they used the 3.0 4 cyl when the 3.0 v6 is a more modern more powerful engine.  The V6 might cost a bit more to make but that would be offset by the savings of not having to cover parts for a separate engine.  The V6 will be used in a lot more products.

[phazotron]

I just have general question about the towing capacity: This thing has the highest towing (up to 5189lb) by far for any FWD vehicle that I've ever heard of!  I guess I'm having a wee bit of trouble wrapping that number around my head.  I always though FWD <> towing heavy loads.

[Solstice2006]

Sure most commercial vans don't look appealing, but man, this takes the cake of ugliest commercial van on the market, even beats Nissan....

What the heck? I posted this morning, come home and see 6 smites ?   Something I said?

[JacobBlack]

No heated seat option , no place for an iPad
I am surprise there is also no option for a wall behind the driver seat

Huh?  Yes there is. Cargo partition. It's even  listed in the pricing list.
Heated seats I'm not sure about, but the shelf in the roof over the windscreen is perfect for an ipad, same with the fold-down middle seat and the door sills.

[tpl]

Wonder why they used the 3.0 4 cyl when the 3.0 v6 is a more modern more powerful engine.  The V6 might cost a bit more to make but that would be offset by the savings of not having to cover parts for a separate engine.  The V6 will be used in a lot more products.

How about:    The euro version comes with the 3 litre diesel so if that engine is/was easy to certify then there it is.  That is the biggest diesel.   The only V6 in the euro list is the Pentastar gas engine so i presume that at least one V6 would fit without too much reengineering.

I wonder why they did not put the 2287 cc diesel in.  Maybe it won't emission control well for NA

[Frontier1]

0-60? 1/4 mile? any figures?

[Ex-airbalancer]

No heated seat option , no place for an iPad
I am surprise there is also no option for a wall behind the driver seat

Huh?  Yes there is. Cargo partition. It's even  listed in the pricing list.
Heated seats I'm not sure about, but the shelf in the roof over the windscreen is perfect for an ipad, same with the fold-down middle seat and the door sills.

I guess I missed the cargo partition,
I mean have a place on the dash for the iPad

[JacobBlack]

I mean have a place on the dash for the iPad

I still reckon the clip on the dash would hold one pretty well, but I'm confused - why would you want one on the dash? You can put it on the back of the fold-down middle seat just fine.

[Ex-airbalancer]

I mean have a place on the dash for the iPad

I still reckon the clip on the dash would hold one pretty well, but I'm confused - why would you want one on the dash? You can put it on the back of the fold-down middle seat just fine.

GPS,

[PJ]

Wonder why they used the 3.0 4 cyl when the 3.0 v6 is a more modern more powerful engine.  The V6 might cost a bit more to make but that would be offset by the savings of not having to cover parts for a separate engine.  The V6 will be used in a lot more products.

How about:    The euro version comes with the 3 litre diesel so if that engine is/was easy to certify then there it is.  That is the biggest diesel.   The only V6 in the euro list is the Pentastar gas engine so i presume that at least one V6 would fit without too much reengineering.

I wonder why they did not put the 2287 cc diesel in.  Maybe it won't emission control well for NA

I'd guess it would be easier to offer the already certified and sold here 3.0 V6 diesel rather then certify th 3.0 4 cyl diesel. 

Mostly I think its a better engine and companies should always play their best card.

[mixmanmash]

0-60? 1/4 mile? any figures?

Yes.  Because you are going to be stop light racing and drag racing a cargo van, loaded up with cargo.  While we are at it, what sort of performance mods are available from Mopar?

 

[2JDM]

I saw a bunch of these being transported on trailers in pairs this past weekend, 401 eastbound.

These will be a hit for sure. Where is GM's response to these Euro cargo vans?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I saw a bunch of these being transported on trailers in pairs this past weekend, 401 eastbound.

These will be a hit for sure. Where is GM's response to these Euro cargo vans?

GM will be offering a rebadged version of the Nissan NV200 in late 2014. No word on the large van replacement.

Apparently federalizing the Opel commercial vans was too expensive. They dropped the ball on the segment.

Ford has the new version of the Transit Connect and the big brute Transit, which I think arrive by late fall early 2014 and summer respectively. The full size Transit will offer the 3.7L, 3.5L Ecoboost and a new 5 cylinder 3.2L diesel. There is a possibility that the 3.2 could find its way into the F150 according to a few rumours.

[dirtyjeffer]

oooo...i like the windowed full size transit...after having owned a cargo van (1980 Chevy) back in the day, the lack of windows was quite the PITA...especially after i accidentally cut off an OPP on Hwy 11 on my way back to London (from North Bay)...i pulled into a service station to grab a coffee and gas when the cop pulled up beside me to let me know i almost ran him off the road...i apologized to him and let him know the van was loaded up as i was moving back to London and that the van doesn't have the best sight lines even when empty (i was still getting used to it)...fortunately, he was a nice guy and told me to be more careful out there and was on his way.

ford.ca actually has details of the new van, expected to come out next summer (and they confirm a diesel option):

http://www.ford.ca/commercial-trucks/transit/