2015 Ram ProMaster Expands Ram Commercial Offerings with Full-size Van Featuring Best-in-class Fuel Economy and Payload
09/02/2014
Ram
The 2015 Ram ProMaster continues to answer the call of businesses everywhere as it solidifies its place in Ram Commercial's popular truck and van lineup. ProMaster has experienced great success in an expanding, purpose-built, full-size van segment with a number of best-in-class features focused on the commercial customer. Coming from a strong background of commercial vehicles produced by Fiat Professional, the ProMaster is based on the Fiat Ducato, which has been in production for more than 30 years.
ProMaster boasts numerous best-in-class features, which are appreciated by the hard-working customers of Ram's full size van. Best-in-class fuel efficiency, usability, and of course, total cost of ownership, all combine to deliver a proven solution for businesses and fleets.
Ram Commercial will continue to have a larger presence in commercial vehicle segments. ProMaster supports the Ram Brand strategy to offer a one-stop shop for their large truck and van fleets. Ram's ProMaster and ProMaster City vans enhance the brand's commercial offerings, creating new opportunity, from the powerful Ram 5500 Chassis Cab to the versatile Ram C/V.
Ram Truck has tapped into Fiat Professional, one of the largest producers of commercial vehicles in the entire world, offering more than 110 years of experience. That knowledge has helped Ram Truck enter new segments and expand its product line. The 2015 Ram ProMaster is based on the front-wheel-drive Fiat Ducato, which is the most popular full-size van in Europe. The ProMaster also marks the Company's first shared truck collaboration with Fiat Professional.
The Fiat Ducato is now in its third generation with more than 4.7 million sold worldwide. Therefore, the Ram ProMaster features a proven, award-winning workhorse with an incredible combination of durability, value, efficiency, and capability like no other in its class.
Engineered for the North American market
Conceived and developed in Italy, the ProMaster also spent quality time proving itself on this side of the Atlantic undergoing extensive, extreme-duty testing. Engineering the ProMaster for the Ram Truck brand required a number of changes in capabilities, powertrain, environments, duty cycles and customers.
Chassis
The 2015 ProMaster is available in two roof heights, three wheelbases, and four body lengths. Additionally, the ProMaster offers both a chassis cab and cutaway from the factory. Its unibody frame architecture makes it significantly lighter than the competition. As a result, the ProMaster boasts an impressive best-in-class payload capacity up to 5,145 pounds and a maximum towing capacity up to 5,100 pounds. The gross combined weight rating (GCWR) for the 3.6-liter V-6 is 11,500 pounds and 12,500 pounds for the 3.0-liter I-4 EcoDiesel. A unibody structure has additional advantages, including stability and strength from front to rear, a reinforced plenum area for optimized engine packaging, and "truer" tuning of chassis systems and related hardware when compared to more common body-on-frame applications.
Front-wheel drive
The unibody system under the cab is an enabler for the ProMaster's segment exclusive front-wheel-drive system. The body-integral construction and multiple configurations allow Ram's 2015 ProMaster to be up-fitted for virtually every conceivable job. Without rear driveshafts or rear differentials, the proven drive system creates a number of advantages:
Best-in-class fuel economy
Best-in-class step-in height and lowest load floor
Best-in-class standard ceiling height
Lower maintenance costs
Cargo area
Thanks to its unique front-wheel-drive system, body-integral construction and the multiple configurations offered, the ProMaster sets a standard in the large commercial van-based segment. The ProMaster is available in two roof heights, 91 or 101 inches with best-in-class standard roof height and the most vertically oriented side walls in the cargo van category (nearly 90 degrees, in relation to the cargo compartment floor).
The ProMaster features a standard sliding door on the passenger side with an optional sliding door on the driver's side. The sliding door openings are based on roof height - 47 inch x 60 inch for the low roof model and 49 inch x 70 inch for high roof models. In the rear, an available three-position rear clamshell door swings open up to 260-degrees, folding almost flat to the side of the van. All three door openings enable fork lift pallet loading and unloading, and spaciousness that leads the competitive set.
Upfitter friendliness
Ram Truck is well known for being the most upfitter-friendly brand in the truck market. The Ram ProMaster continues the tradition and features an integrated cab configuration for unmatched up-fitter/conversion solutions. Adding to the ProMaster's design for adaptability, virtually all primary vehicle systems are packaged forward of the cargo area.
Electronic stability control
The standard electronic stability control (ESC) system on the Ram ProMaster is a sophisticated four-channel (independent control to all four corners of the vehicle) active handling system, which links the vehicle's dynamic control systems to assist the driver in maintaining control under demanding or adverse conditions such as wet, snow-covered or icy roads, tight turns, and evasive maneuvers. In effect, the ESC determines the driver's intentions and optimizes overall vehicle control to keep the dynamic forces within select limits in any driving situation - nearly transparent so control seems almost intuitive.
Powertrain
The 2015 Ram ProMaster van's powertrain lineup features the award-winning, standard-equipment, gasoline-fueled V-6 and a torque-laden, I-4 EcoDiesel engine. The engines are paired, respectively, with a proven six-speed automatic transmission and an electronically controlled six-speed automated manual featuring best-in-class fuel economy.
EcoDiesel
The 2015 Ram ProMaster marks the North American introduction of the potent 174-horsepower 3.0-liter inline four-cylinder EcoDiesel engine, which generates peak torque of 295 lb.-ft. at just 1,400 rpm. The engine features a number of refinements, including internal engine components, turbo and emission controls. Helping to reduced total cost of ownership, an oil-level sensor contributes to an oil-change schedule of up to 18,500 miles.
Pentastar
The standard-equipment 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 is rated at 280 horsepower with peak torque of 260 lb.-ft., the dual overhead cam, 24-valve Pentastar delivers the capability required of a commercial van without compromising refinement - hallmarks that contributed to its ranking among Ward's 10 Best Engines.
Reducing vehicle operating costs is paramount in the minds of the powertrain engineers who contributed to Ram ProMaster's development. Recommended oil-change intervals range up to 10,000 miles. But an intelligent oil-servicing system that monitors vehicle usage triggers an alert when service is most appropriate.
Transmissions
The smooth-shifting 62TE automatic transmission is upgraded to accommodate the Ram ProMaster's prodigious cargo-hauling capability. Specifically, its 3.86 final-drive ratio enables comfortable grade transit under full freight. The transmission more readily adopts the most appropriate ratio for a given driving situation. The numerically lower overall top gear ratio delivers a more economical highway operation.
A trailer/tow program comes standard with 62TE and the M40 automated manual. The automated manual is not only exclusive to the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel, it stands alone in the Ram ProMaster's competitive set.
The unique M40 gearbox delivers the efficiency of a manual transmission with the functionality of an automatic. At its core, it is a manual, but gear shifts and clutch functions are accomplished with electro-hydraulic actuation system. However, the driver can opt for manual shift-lever inputs when desired. But the driver needn't do all the work. Gearbox software delivers a unique response to driving conditions.
Shift logic is adjusted according to grade steepness. The result is a well-connected driving experience that delivers the fuel economy required of a commercial van, such as the Ram ProMaster.
Design
The Ram design team started with a functional exterior and interior, adding distinct Ram styling while adapting the full-size van for North America.
Exterior
The front of the ProMaster is identified by visually durable bodylines, a broad wraparound bumper and twin-reflector headlamp clusters. True to the Ram Truck brand, the ProMaster leads with a bold, hexagon-shaped crosshair grille, featuring the Ram's head logo proudly displayed as the focal point of the crosshair. The cab-forward, short dash-to-front-axle design pushes the nose inward and the headlamps upward. This design provides higher passenger seating positions and better visibility - obviously important for commercial users - thanks to a more confident vantage point from which to operate the vehicle.
The front bumper is a three-piece styled modular design, resulting in reduced repair costs and downtime. Durable front-wheel arches are styled with the bumper to protect the doors. A unique step is designed into both front bumper corners, making it easy to clean the windscreen from either side.
The full-size van features plenty of real estate on all four sides. This space allows for businesses to post signage and graphics, making the van a rolling billboard to help promote the owner, business or team.
Interior
The functional and innovative features continue inside the Ram ProMaster. Although much is borrowed from the Fiat version, Ram designers made alterations for North American customers. Interior design and function is of primary importance for a light commercial vehicle in which the driver normally spends long hours at the wheel, often under demanding conditions. The cabin of the ProMaster is therefore designed with comfortable driving ergonomics, important because the ProMaster is a place of work.
Because goods always need to be transported with total security, the Ram ProMaster van is fitted with accommodations to hold down goods on the floor. Up to 12 tie-down rings with 1,000-lb. rating fold away to maintain a flat floor and five sidewall tie-down rings with 550-lb. rating, and easy loading and unloading operations. Available partitions also offer passengers excellent protection against the possibility of load shift in the cabin.
Safety
Safety and security were two of the guiding principles followed by engineers throughout the development of the 2015 Ram ProMaster van. Ram's full-size van offers more than 35 active and passive safety and security features. The ProMaster also includes standard ESC, hosting a number of technologies such as trailer-sway control. Security also means notification of the traffic around you. Ram ProMaster features ParkView rear backup camera and ParkSense rear park assist with audible warning, all of which are useful when maneuvering a large van.
Uconnect
ProMaster customers can make the best use of their valuable time by leveraging Uconnect's easy-to-learn, easy-to-use interface - acclaimed for its convenience and sensible design. Handsfree calling in the 2015 Ram ProMaster is made convenient via reliable Bluetooth technology. A full-color, five-inch touchscreen is available with global positioning satellite (GPS) navigation, providing Ram ProMaster customers the ability to chart time-saving routes to their destinations. Uconnect Web, powered by Autonet Mobile, is available to U.S. customers. This system delivers continuous Internet connectivity, creating an efficient workspace and real-time information access on the go.
Best practices
In total, the Ram ProMaster test fleet accumulated millions of miles enabling Ram and Fiat teams access to real-world data. This includes testing done in laboratories in Turin, Italy and Auburn Hills, Michigan, at Fiat and Chrysler Group proving grounds, as well as reliability testing on public roads in many different climates in Europe and the United States.
The 3/36 Reliability Testing, appropriately named as each test car accumulates 36,000 miles (equivalent to three years of use) in about three months, is conducted day and night by teams of drivers. To reflect typical daily driver scenarios, the test drivers do not originate from the engineering ranks and are intentionally chosen from diverse backgrounds to represent customers of different ages, sizes and ethnicities. The test drivers scrutinize all the customer functional aspects of each vehicle as well as overall driving evaluations. This includes radio and navigation system checks, seat-belt buckling, heating and ventilation operation and opening and closing storage compartments and windows.
Configurations
The 2015 Ram ProMaster offers 14 different configurations:
ProMaster 1500 Cargo Van 118-inch wheelbase low roof
ProMaster 1500 Cargo Van 136-inch wheelbase low roof
ProMaster 1500 Cargo Van 136-inch wheelbase high roof
ProMaster 2500 Cargo Van 136-inch wheelbase high roof
ProMaster 2500 Cargo Van 159-inch wheelbase high roof
ProMaster 2500 Window Van 159-inch wheelbase high roof
ProMaster 3500 Cargo Van 159-inch wheelbase high roof
ProMaster 3500 Cargo Van 159-inch wheelbase high roof extended body
ProMaster 2500 Chassis Cab 136-inch wheelbase
ProMaster 3500 Chassis Cab 159-inch wheelbase
ProMaster 3500 Chassis Cab 159-inch wheelbase extended body
ProMaster 2500 Chassis Cab Cutaway 136-inch wheelbase
ProMaster 3500 Chassis Cab Cutaway 159-inch wheelbase
ProMaster 3500 Chassis Cab Cutaway 159-inch wheelbase extended frame
ProMaster competitors are: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, Ford Econoline, Chevrolet Express, GMC Savanna and Nissan NV Cargo.
Manufacturing
All configurations are produced at the Saltillo Van Assembly Plant in Saltillo, Mexico.
Ram Commercial lineup
The Ram Truck brand continues to establish its own identity and clearly define its customer. The brand has emerged as a leader by investing in new products, infusing them with durable powertrains, robust chassis, new technology and features that further enhance their capabilities while delivering low total cost of ownership. Commercial truck and van customers have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to work. The Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups; 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs; Ram C/V and Ram ProMaster vans are designed to deliver a total package.