2014 Ram ProMaster First Drive Review: Italian Van finds an American Home

[@HCFX2011]

Every second vehicle I saw in Germany and Italy was a rendition of this van. The Fiat Ducato, Peugeout Boxer and Citroen Jumper were all identical. I saw SO many of them everywhere.

[@sahamaream321]

yes them are in complete europe on every road to see

[@stewartmurray4658]

Love how excited their getting about what's a really common van over here

[@shj2000]

Imagine the camper conversion potential! Nice van.

[@MrChevypower]

Now I'm interested to see your review on the Transit EcoBoost with the 0-60 time. I am betting under 7.5. I don't know why people insist on keeping the current Econolines and Express vans. I don't think these advocates are people who have driven them. They are rattly, they have poor footwell rooms, they get crappy fuel economy, and they don't have the performance to go with it. In the Express, the driver is shoved up tightly against the door, and the steering wheel is off-center with the seat.

[@roundsm18]

Because we tow trailers over 10K with our V10 Econolines.

[@1guyin10]

Yes. Only mildly reworked for the US market. They are being built at a Chrysler plant in Mexico so they can supply them to North and South American markets. I wonder how long it will be before its big brother - the Iveco Daily - comes over?

[@mibars]

Wow... A Ducato (that's how it's called in Europe) with huge 3,6L gas (!) V6 (!!) having 280hp (!!!). In Europe they usually have like 100hp diesel engines and STILL van drivers manage to drive them fast as hell... I can imagine havoc that would happen if those delivery guys would be given a V6 vans...

[@ZombieZim713]

mibars cant be much worse than myself and other techs driving our 360+ hp chevy express vans. lol

[@Jekke1971]

Ducato's here in Europe go upto 180hp out of a 3.0 diesel-engine, and they are fast enough, trust me.

[@shvakuckis1]

My company has a fleet of 4 FIAT Ducato/Peugeot Boxer (FIAT, Peugeot and Citroen has the same vans) vans and 5 Mercedes Sprinters. In terms of durability Sprinters is lasting longer, it is more solid and it is more comfy to drive. On other hand in winter the rear wheel drive is a serious problem, especially if the van is not loaded. Another thing is that Sprinter has issue with rusting.

[@1tylerproud]

6.4 hemi! I'm stoked for that truck. Manual transmission, four wheel drive, crew cab, long box. In Black please. Let me know when it's ready :)

[@1guyin10]

What they might actually be concerned with is that this FWD van is lighter than a RWD van so it can haul more cargo weight at the same GVWR. One of the advantages of the Sprinter verses the Econoline is that it can haul 3000 lbs and still be light enough to not require a CDL in most states. That opens the pool of drivers up considerably. The ProMaster will enjoy even more of an advantage there.

[@kc5077]

Van Gods have heard our prayers! Looking forward to hotter competition with the new Transits.

[@GravInducedSleepTrac]

Mike Cairns, you need to address the issue of the promaster developing really bad squeaking noise with the brakes. We bought our 2015 campervan Pleasure way Lexor TS made of your promaster ram 3500 chaiss and when we reached 900-1000 miles the brakes started to make really bad squeaking noise when we would brake. We bought this brand new in Nevada, just a few weeks ago. Van only had 95 miles and we did not hear squeaking noise until we reached the 900-1000 miles. That's still too little of miles and too new for the brakes to have this type of problem. Did some research and it looks like this is happening to many new owners of promasters. Your distributors/dealerships are all confused and have no clue how to fix it, based on discussions I've seen on line. I am hoping Dodge will not be a bunch of con artist and just ignore this possible big issue. Please provide better customer service and find solution to this problem. To be honest I was really against buying American brand on the chassis. I really wanted a Mercedes please don't make me regret my choice.

[@ScaleCarModels]

Cool and impressive performance for this vehicle.

[@1guyin10]

The Daily is a different design. It is heavier duty and RWD. Many are sold as duallies. They sell chassis cab versions in Europe that are up to 12 ton capacity so it reaches into what would be solidly the medium commercial range in the US. They even build armored, all-wheel drive versions for the Italian military off that chassis.

[@yashveenhurry997]

We use a Merc 313 CDI, and it has only like 125 hp from a 4 cyl diesel. But it moves well even when fully loaded. The V6 is neat, but I think its got too much power.

[@valefur72]

In Europe we have also 4 wd versions. These are rarely sold because, for a standard use, the front wheel drive versions are OK...

[@Bouzoukiellas]

LOL my company had one of these...tons of recalls with the brake and other electrical systems. Had to drive it when the 250s Diesels werent available.

[@19crazydude]

is that the dually version of the ducato?

[@a1awind]

ok, so we can load it to capacity and see how it takes a snow covered pittsburgh hill with all the cargo weight over the REAR wheels and the drive wheels in the front.

[@wopmf4345FxFDxdGaa20]

Quite well if you have winter tires. They are sold also in northern Europe and Russia. :) Usually when a van is stuck, it's because it's RWD and doesn't have enough load on the back. If you drive always fully loaded, then the RWD is better. But in every other case, the FWD will take you further. The best would of course be winter tires and if you drive really bad roads, a 4x4 . . .

[@tritchie6272]

Might be a good van for a moving company or something like American Pickers! As for looks. Sometimes function has to take priority.

[@themechanic345]

Think about repairing that engine! I know that I, as a technician would hate to work on this. It's a really tight space, and fleet vehicles usually need repairs at some point

[@SwPiotrek]

Very cool video. I was smiling for all time.

[@lwatcdr]

I wish that RAM would make a nice version of this van for hauling big families and such. Sort of like the old GMC Savana was. You know removeable seats and a nice interior.

[@ilovewamtns]

Dodge ought to bring back full size vans, those were badass

[@shvakuckis1]

Sprinter has a drive shaft, which we have to change it once in 1 or 2 years, especially in long versions.

[@Threetails]

It will be interesting to see how this fills the void left by the sprinter in the Mopar stables. If they can sell it for less than a Sprinter then they'll have a good competitor.

[@shvakuckis1]

Fiat's van can be a problem, if you overload it - the front windshield can crack! If the van has been in service for +/- 10 years, you can encounter some cracks in the rear door frame. There are bearing above the front shocks (i do not know, how they are called). You have to change them quite often, especially if you often ride empty. This is a problem with all FWD vans, since when these vans are empty, the whole wight is on front wheels.

[@valefur72]

In Europe front wd vans are commonly considered easier to drive on snow vs rear drive vans.

[@rudfil]

Cool van.

[@pedrovelasquez4450]

Nice simple delivery van.

[@1guyin10]

The utility of these vans compared to the traditional US vans is amazing. I've spent a lot of time in the Sprinter and even though the build quality on them is kind of cheesey, they are like driving a swiss army knife. The Ram's interior looks like it is put together better than the Sprinter. It sounds like the Ram may be priced very competitively as well. They may be ugly, but I think we are going to be seeing a lot of them.

[@patricku4841]

Great reviews keep up the good work.

[@Dodek72]

Awesome van.

[@paulwicklund1052]

How about testing the RV Versions from Winnebago & THOR in the future, that would be interesting.

[@benigo15]

I hope you guys can do a 0-60 with the diesel

[@alexk.6530]

I need one of these for new B class RV conversion project! I wish I could get 0% interest financing

[@Bruningable]

280hp? :D Oh man- here in Europe the maximum you get in this model is 177hp. (And that's really much/the absolute peak for this vehicle class over here) Up until a few years ago most of these vans came with ~90hp diesels...

[@FrenchVries]

"There's a lot of room in this segment". Haha yes there is! Spacious vans xD

[@rjft7003]

Nice review. If here in Europe the baker and the plumber fly on those things with diesel engines how it would be with a V6? :-)

[@AkioWasRight]

FWD vehicles are more complicated. Steering, suspension, transaxle, engine, etc. are all stuffed into a tiny engine compartment. RWD is generally simpler, easier to work on. Many businesses have to make repairs at some point.

[@cheyennedogsoldiers]

I must admit I'd like to see how it compares to the Transit with the 3.5 ecoboost.V6?

[@101vph]

Enfin !!! It's about time américain . But the dream was short because you still present 3 dinausaurius at the end . Here Qc cdn , where the gas price is as in Europe .

[@904PinballZine]

Please Add: How many pinball machines fit in each van!

[@tomfrantz]

great review

[@silvernomad1940]

I like the promaster but it needs a tilt wheel an the drivers side arm rest on the door needs to be wider. The current arm rest just misses your elbow. These 2 little things are so simple and yet dodge missed them.

[@peacefullmonk]

don't forget that parking break you ever been getting out of the van and catch yourself on it? that hurts

[@iotache]

The original was made by Fiat together with Peugeot-Citroen, so it is only 50% Italian and 50% French

[@shvakuckis1]

In poor road conditions, in winter, areas where you have mountains and you have to go up and down, that's where Fiat's van wins over Sprinter. In Norther Europe, where I'm from, when it snows, we sometimes even do not touch Sprinters, since, if roads are not perfectly cleaned, Sprinters stuck, even with its LSD in the rear.

[@Wadef16]

What if it had a 5.7 Hemi?

[@urielhernandezT150]

No hemi available at all

[@douglasvieira1990dv]

May i ask your opinion do you prefer the ford or dodge ?

[@TFLtruck]

Please email youtube if you want new music. KZbin will not allow it.

[@scottwitkowski1298]

I don't want a Unibody van. I want body on frame. This is a great delivery vehicle for light weight items. I don't know about a construction application. Ive seen holes in the floors of econolines and express vans, They were fine other then cosmetics.

[@John.D123]

When is the off road review in CO?

[@MTBIKEXC]

You guys are funny. I want one!

[@ihaveacoolhat1]

Where is the wall between cab and the cargo area? Most vans in Europe have these, isn't this compulsory in North America?

[@peacefullmonk]

bulk heads are optional in most states.

[@mmiller1188]

Wonder how a front wheel drive cargo van loaded to capacity will go in the snow ..

[@LaterMeansBrick]

The V6 needs to be available in Europe. Darn it's faster than my car from 0-60 :D

[@TheSoloAsylum]

This van is made with a diesel engine that gets over 20mpg, we are not allowed to have it as an option here in the US. I wonder why.....I wont ever buy this van.

[@chrisward7738]

You can get the diesel here

[@bikeaddictbp]

Works fine in Switzerland, Norway, etc ...

[@valefur72]

I think the 3 liter turbodiesel with the automated manual will be quicker...

[@jeepcollector91]

Chrysler should have worked a deal with Mercedes to keep the Sprinter. I have driven hundreds of Sprinters (used to deliver them to the dealers) and they really are good vans. The Ram ProMaster (Fiat Ducato) looks hideous. At least the Ford Transit (coming soon to the US) & Mercedes/Freightliner/Dodge Sprinter look halfway decent. I'm still going to keep my Ford E-Series. Simple "body on frame" design. Super cheap and easy to repair/maintain.

[@C1XX_TurboBlazer]

how bout u guys come up with the fast lane van

[@MrNicholg]

How did they seemingly incorporate so many 1978 Dodge B-Series touches in this thing?

[@76carmel]

Could this ProMaster be a good food truck?

[@cavila01]

this would be perfect for my type of work it has plenty of room inside

[@DeadXephos]

Aren't you just a ray of sunshine Durataur

[@susanr1319]

probably; it holds the weight, and there's plenty of room to stand from what I can see.

[@LiveWire276]

Ford transit is large rear wheel drive and front wheel drive and all wheel drive!

[@Fordguy1997]

@Wade Allen what if it had an 8.4L SRT-10 V10? I'm kidding...

[@trefod]

Why on earth have you tested the V6? Diesel is the only way to go in a commercial vehicle.

[@shvakuckis1]

The new Sprinter is too wide for maneuvering in a city. Fiat's vans are more easy to live with - more nimble, more stable, more carlike. The low floor also is an advantage too. In my company we run our vans for 8 to 10 years. After 10 years Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen vans are going to scrap. Mercedes, on other hand, can be sold and there are people, who repair them and run them almost forever. There are pros and cons, but, if you look only from business perspective, Fiat's van makes more sens.

[@bjornsweden9863]

Poor sales rep. Must be hard to convince buyers that the "ProMaster" is nothing else than a badge engineered Fiat Ducato. And no, it is not better than the MB Sprinter unless you talk money.

[@darien485]

That van looks a lot better going away.

[@A_guan]

What does the horn some like

[@cmscms123456]

How about putting that 4 cylinder turbo diesel in a mid sized truck.. Dakota sized… at $30,000. Im not spending $50,000 for a pickup truck, that can't be driven in a normal suburbia parking lot.

[@bryanmartinez6600]

cmscms123456 say hello to the new Duramax Colorado

[@19crazydude]

wow thats fuckin awesome. makes me wanna get one and i probably would if i wasnt a ram fan. that is because the rams are built to with hold up to 50,000 pounds. (ram 5500).

[@themanic6575]

Thats a lot of boxes!

[@tunin111]

This fiat utility van has been on the market in europe for years now...

[@JAVEAUTOMANIAMX]

FIAT DUCATTO

[@Dhunter1offical]

It goes as fast as the eavy duty trucks because it has no interior no real axels and knowing how crystler works it probeby has a unibody

[@76carmel]

Only a Nissan NV would compare with this Ram ProMaster.

[@1guyin10]

Only until you drive it. LOL That big plastic snoz on it is ungainly, but from a functional standpoint its great. That is where most of the abuse happens. Also, its not like the Sprinter or the upcoming Ford Transit are lookers either.

[@1guyin10]

The RWD vans aren't any better to work on. They all suck when it comes to trying to get to anything on them. You would think one day someone would get smart and make a vehicle so that you can do a quick disconnect and drop the drivetrain out for repairs. Instead they seem to just wish whoever has to work on it the best of luck.

[@s_hassell97]

i'll stick to the chevy/gmc vans.

[@kibol222]

Do the people from Ram know that a motor is electric! Its called a engine!

[@Felix96xy]

First I thought WTF they get a Fiat Ducato in the US? But then I.. Nope, still WTF because of the new badge.

[@brzoza83pl]

that is European Fiat Ducato

[@Gamer-kr8tc]

Fiat use Iveco engine for this type of vans.

[@turquoise8669]

Did he say front wheel drive? Hell no thank you, sounds so awkward save a lot of weight 0-60 in 20 years with the four banger.

[@FoodyTunes]

Haha "stop plz"

[@pabloestebandevidal]

fiat ducato peugeot boxer renault traffic .. exelent truck . in europe 1.3 engine!! my country 1.9 and 2.8 (argentine)

[@MrLemonCookies]

"You're a naughty boy Nathan" - gay

[@MrNicholg]

Ram Engineer: Nathan's mama is so fat, she can't fit in the back of our new Ram Promaster.

[@themechanic345]

A fwd van? That's sure to flop in the US market!

[@SamuelForan]

Time to find some new music for christ's sake

[@KarachayTulpar]

This P.O.S. is already has a loud tick at 33,000 miles:( Not to mention brake pads at 2-$300 dealer only. WTF all around big mistake at purchasing this hunk of trash. The concept is nice but dodge sucks!

[@theoneandonlypda]

Saw these in Mexico a lot. Well the Fiat/Peugeot versions. They take time to get accustomed to seeing them, but they are practical and shit... Just get rid of the steelies

[@travelmates1]

Reliability over the long run is really bad! Ford Transit is much, much better.

[@kubeanie18]

still gonna prefer the new ford transit to this fiat

[@Remy9584]

Welcome to the United State of Europe! We own you! These guys can't even build their own vans and they seem pretty happy about it. They shipped manufacturing in Asia, and now design and engineering overseas as well. There must not be much left to do for a living in the US but to try selling stupidity on youtube.

[@danmccarthy4700]

These vans are more powerful, more space-efficient, and have way better fuel economy than those old Tradesman-based dinosaurs. Admittedly, they're hideous. But they do everything else better than the archaic vans designed stateside.

[@bryanmartinez6600]

Dan McCarthy hell no they aren't as durable as the old Ford Econoline and Chevy Express but the Econoline really stands out in heavy duty and tough big V8 in both gas and diesel and an available V10 front suspension was a twin I beam spring front suspension large rear leaf springs big axle simple cheap and Reliable when getting a diesel 7.3 is a workhorse but 6.0 was junk though all the gas engines were solid and Reliable

[@thewillismon]

My company has rented several of these Rams and also Ford Transits. I've had a lot of seat time in both vans, and can attest, the Ford Transit is 1000 times better than the Ram

[@umesswitme]

Dear god its uglier than a sprinter I didn't think it was possible.