Perhaps Ram can be forgiven for offering the 2015 Ram ProMaster full-size cargo van in a design that resembles Mercedes-Benz’s capable Sprinter. Chrysler Corp., of which Ram is a subsidiary, was the first automaker (along with its partner at the time, Daimler-Benz) to sell a cargo van in which the average adult could stand upright. Called the Sprinter, this awkward-looking cargo carrier was an immediate hit. When Daimler-Benz and Chrysler split up in 2007, Mercedes-Benz was left with the Sprinter, and Chrysler was left holding the bag… till now. The ProMaster, introduced for the 2014 model year, takes direct aim at not only the Sprinter, but also at Ford’s Transit and Nissan’s NV Cargo Van. It also continues the trend away from the traditionally squat, body-on-frame behemoths to sensible, adult-size, fuel-efficient and practicality-packed delivery and utility vans.
Offered in half-ton 1500, three-quarter-ton 2500 and one-ton 3500 trims, the hefty ProMaster also boasts 3 wheelbases, as well as a pair of roof heights, the Low Roof (standard on the 1500) and High Roof (standard on the 2500 and 3500, available to the 1500), with the latter increasing cargo capacity from the 283 cubic feet standard in the Low Roof editions to 406 cubic feet. Add the available 3500 Extended Length version (250 inches of length overall), and cargo area blossoms to 530 cubic feet. Wheelbases, meanwhile, run from 118 inches in the base Low Roof 1500 to 136 inches that’s standard for 2500 variants (optional for the 1500) to a 159-inch wheelbase that remains delivered standard for the Extended Length 3500.
Power-wise, look for a 3.6-liter V6 engine to return standard in all 2015 ProMaster editions. Mated with the also-standard 6-speed automatic transmission, this peppy 6-cylinder puts out 280 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.
Need more oomph? The ProMaster, in all its permutations, is eligible for an optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant that sports a 6-speed auto-manual transmission managing 174 hp and a potent 295 lb-ft of torque that, with the proper equipment installed, can tow up to 5,100 pounds of trailer. Alas, because the EPA measures vehicles only up to a certain weight, which the ProMaster far exceeds, mileage figures are unavailable for either drivetrain.
As for creature comforts, the 2015 ProMaster is above all a work vehicle, thus posh is in short supply. Each version of this boxy Ram does come with 16-inch steel wheels and a passenger-side sliding door outside, with remote keyless entry, power windows and a telescoping steering wheel that, curiously, has no tilt feature, adorning the interior.
Further standard bling includes air conditioning and an AM/FM stereo with 4 speakers and a USB port.
A number of options are, despite the nitty-gritty nature of this workhorse, available, beginning with the ProMaster 2500 Window Van, featuring side and rear windows. Further optional bells and whistles include a trailer towing package, GPS navigation, a vehicle tracking system, driver’s side rear sliding door, upgraded audio with a 5-inch infotainment touchscreen and satellite radio, Bluetooth hands-free calling, a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors. Interior side-wall paneling is also available.
Finally, standard safety stuff aboard all 2015 ProMaster iterations includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), front side-mounted airbags and front head airbags. Optional safety equipment, meantime, includes front fog/driving lights and a security alarm.
One further note, the 2015 ProMaster City, a downsized, more urban-friendly version of Ram’s jumbo ProMaster is covered separately.
