Compact Cargo Contender: 2018 RAM ProMaster City Van
Introduced to the American marketplace in 2015, the front-wheel drive ProMaster City joins the larger Ram ProMaster and popular Ram C/V as a Class 1 van offering. The Ram ProMaster City is designed to compete with compact commercial and passenger vans with best-in-class attributes in the areas that count: payload capacity, cargo area, performance and fuel economy.
For 2018, upgrades include a Uconnect 3 radio with five-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity and backup camera as standard equipment. Additionally, sliding and back door window grates are available in Cargo Vans without partition.
The Ram ProMaster City is available in two-seat Tradesman cargo van and five-seat passenger Wagon configurations, and base and SLT trim levels. Power is generated by a 2.4L Tigershark four-cylinder engine. The Tigershark engine is bolted to a 948TE nine-speed automatic transmission.
The foundation of the ProMaster City is a steel unibody design. The unibody architecture helps minimize curb weight, a key contributor to its best-in-class payload capability. The front axle uses a proven, durable and compact MacPherson strut suspension, tuned for rougher North American roads and class-leading payload capacity. In a departure from standard practice in the Class 1 van category of using rear leaf springs, the Ram ProMaster City upgrades to an independent, coil-sprung bi-link rear suspension. The rear suspension incorporates a category-unique independent bi-link configuration that increases driving comfort, enhances stability, and ensures maximum safety characteristics in all load situations.
The Ram van’s hard-working credentials start with a 48.4-inch span between the rear wheel wells, the widest in the class. The width between the wheel wells provides an extra margin of capacity so that building materials and pallets can be loaded quickly and easily, without concern over whether the load fits.
Above the wheel wells, nearly vertical side panels give it a best-in-class width of 60.4 inches. Combined with an interior roof height of 51.8 inches, the result is volume of 131.7 cubic feet for the cargo van version. The vertical side panels are upfitter-friendly and simplify the attachment of shelves or storage racks for specialized commercial use.
Each side is fitted with a sliding door with a 26-inch opening to access the cargo compartment. The roof is prepped for optional load rails or roof racks with a weight capacity of 154 pounds. The rear of the is fitted with 60/40 split swing doors.
The passenger wagon version of the Ram ProMaster City is equipped with a three-passenger second row. The second-row seating is split 60/40, with each section capable of folding and tumbling forward to expand cargo room. With the seats in place, the ProMaster City passenger wagon offers close to four feet of cargo length to the rear doors. With seats folded and tumbled, Ram’s new van provides nearly six feet of cargo length.
Dimensions & specifications
Wheelbase: 122.4; overall length: 187.1; width: 84.6; height: 74.2
All vehicle measurements are in inches.
Engine: 2.4L four-cylinder – 178 hp at 6,400 rpm and 174 lbs-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
EPA Fuel Economy: 21 city/29 highway
Cargo capacity: 131.7 cubic feet
Payload capacity: 1,883 lbs.
Towing capacity: 2,000 lbs.
Safety features
Dual front airbags, front seat mounted side-impact airbags, dual side curtain airbags, driver inflatable knee bolster, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, brake assist, brake lock differential, electronic roll mitigation, hill start assist, electronic stability control, all-speed traction control, trailer-sway damping, remote keyless entry, power speed-sensitive door locks, ParkView rear backup camera, Bluetooth hands free phone system, puncture sealant, portable air compressor, and tire pressure monitoring system.
Optional safety features include DOT- Certified Roadside Safety Kit (DOT fire extinguisher, three reflective triangles, two red vinyl flags and spare fuses), ParkSense rear park assist system, ParkView rear backup camera, front fog lamps, remote engine start system, and daytime running lamps.
Warranty
Basic: 3-year/36,000 mile
Powertrain: 5-year/100,000 mile
Corrosion: 5-year/100,000 mile
Roadside Assistance: 5-year/100,000 mile 24-hour
Pricing
The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2018 Ram ProMaster City starts from $23,495 for the Tradesman Cargo Van upto $26,745 for the SLT Wagon. Destination charges add $1,195.
