Last mile city horse
The RAM Promaster City is a commercial van or minivan adapted for purely urban conditions from Ram Trucks (RAM), an American pickup manufacturer, now owned by Stellantis NV (as of 2021). The RAM Promaster City is an American adaptation of the Italian Fiat Doblo van. It is characterized by great lifting and towing capacities. In 2021, Israeli buyers could purchase the second generation of the 2018 Promaster City.
The first generation
It has been produced from 2015 to the present, and was restyled in 2018. The United States build the best pickups for entrepreneurs, and the RAMs were the best pickups, but compact cargo vans are more popular in the world. When RAM became part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, it was decided to test the European approach in the USA with the successful FIAT Doblo model, using it as the basis for creating the RAM Promaster City van of various formats. Just like the Doblo, the first Promaster City was characterized by relatively small parameters that allowed it to easily maneuver in the city.
The first RAM Promaster City was produced in two body styles: a five-seater estate and a two-seater utility cargo van. Only two trim levels were offered: basic and SLT for the estate, and SLT Tradesman and Tradesman for the cargo van. The car had a maximum towing capacity of about 900 kg, and the maximum payload exceeded 800 kg. At that time, these were the best indicators in the segment.
It is useless to consider the Promaster City as an alternative to a family SUV, since, regardless of a trim level, it is a workhorse, devoid of many comfort options, standard even for budget passenger cars, but with a body kit typical for small trucks. The Promaster City is standardly equipped with a 178 hp 4-cylinder engine, which is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
The Promaster City had a maximum towing capacity of about 900 kg, and the maximum payload exceeded 800 kg. At that time, these were the best indicators in the segment.
The 2015 Promaster City boasted almost 4 cubic meters of cargo space behind the front seats. The 5-seater version had more than 2 cubic meters of space behind the second row or almost 3 cubic meters with the rear seats folded down. The roof height was more than 130 cm, and the distance between the wheel arches was just over 120 cm, which provided excellent maneuvering capabilities when driving in the street.
For comfortable loading and unloading, the 2015/2016 Promaster City was equipped with sliding side doors, rear doors and a half a meter high rear step. Both doors opened 90 degrees by default, but could rotate 180 degrees. The passenger version included second-row seats that folded and tipped forward.
The 2017/2018 Promaster City was standardly equipped with anti-lock braking system, traction and stability control, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, driver’s knee airbag, stand-by start system, trailer swing control and rollover protection.
2018 restyling
It has been produced from 2018 to the present (as of 2021). The restyled Promaster City is a two- or five-seater cargo van. All versions of the 2018/2019 Promaster City come with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 178 hp. Only front-wheel drive and a 9-speed automatic transmission are available.
The restyled Promaster City cargo van can tow up to 907 kg, whereas the passenger model tows up to 868 kg. The carrying capacity is 855 kg for a cargo van and 708 kg for a passenger van. The cargo van model has up to 3.7 cubic meters of cargo capacity, while the passenger van can offer 2.8 cubic meters.
The restyled Promaster City cargo van can tow up to 907 kg, whereas the passenger model tows up to 868 kg. The carrying capacity is 855 kg for a cargo van and 708 kg for a passenger van.
The 2019/2020 Promaster City is available as a cargo van in the Tradesman Cargo two-seater version or the Wagon five-seater version. There are two trim levels: basic and advanced SLT. The SLT is distinguished by a wider range of standard equipment, improved seats and a less utilitarian exterior.
The simple trim level offers keyless access, power windows, air conditioning, tilt-adjustable telescopic steering wheel, Bluetooth, and a rear view camera. The Promaster City SLT is additionally equipped with power and heated mirrors and cruise control. Specific options include various roof rack and rail configurations, as well as partitions that separate the front seats from the cargo area.
As for the safety features of the 2020/2021 RAM Promaster City, there are standard front and side airbags, curtains and a driver’s knee airbag, a rear-view camera, a tire pressure monitoring system, and an anti-lock braking system. No technical functions for preventing accidents are included in the trim levels.
