We’ll see just how much we can haul in a Ram ProMaster. Check out more at www.motorweek.org Follow us on Twitter / motorweek Like us on Facebook / motorweektv
i wish it was manual. it's 'automated manual' turns out it wasn't very good so it's only in like '14 and '15 vans. They should've offered true 6spd manual in the US. smh
At work, we just traded in our 2012 E-150 that just hit 190k miles for the Ram Promaster. I don't know if it is the V6, or the diesel. Hopefully the V6, because that sounds like a blast to drive, compare to the paltry 195HP in the 4.3l V6 in our Chevy Express Vans. I question though how a Tall fullsized FWD van is going to handle in the snow and ice. Ford had more power, but it was geared more for towing, so it felt sluggish.
I'll be fine with this style of van when companies pull their heads out of their asses and realize AWD/4WD is an asset for many. The only thing that used to have it other than the Sprinter was the Express 1500 and now that has even been eliminated.
Martin Espinoza I was just waiting for someone to reply with that. Astro is a moot point in this discussion. It ended production 10 years ago now. Express was available till recently with ironically enough the same AWD system as the Astro underpinning it. Don't get me wrong, I like the Astro and wish there would be a revival of something like it. But in the context of this it isn't that relevant with how long ago it was killed off.
Martin Espinoza Ehhh, Astro isn't exactly what I'd call a true "Unibody". And it's differences on being RWD set it quite a bit apart from these newer vans.
FWD is great in bad winter places like Alberta here, no wonder i've seen so many around, they are UGLY though, that low solid beam rear axle looks like a tractor when they're on the road and unloaded jacked up in the rear too, very european
I drive a promaster every damn day. It's a complete turd to drive and breaks down often. Headlights are useless, door straps constantly break and there are buttons on the dash that seem to do nothing. There is no actual park setting on the awful "transmission", the parking brake must be used to hold the vehicle. The door handles open upward, meaning there is a pinch area at the top of the handle, this area is good for trapping ice in winter and the occasional thumb or palm of the new guys hand when they first get in and I forget to warn them about it.
I experienced the ProMaster van today. A class B RV. Loved it except the deal killer is the drivers seat is incredibly uncomfortable and takes several minutes of spinning a knob to adjust it. Still doesn't adjust to a comfortable position and the steering wheel doesn't tilt. A total surprise considering it is supposed to be so popular. Next week I will try an RV wilth a Ford van. A lot uglier but...
I worked on one of these about 2 weeks ago came into the shop was in limp mode found a wire behind the fuse box in the loom all talked away no room whatsoever to work on these things and the war was corroded I fixed it cleared to check engine light and that fixed it. But I tell you working on these things they are junk
I've not met someone who has driven this and then Ford equivalent to like the Promaster. The big things I hear is the Promaster isn't comfortable. For me, while I've not driven the Promaster, I think it's funny it's FWD, especially in the dual rear wheel configuration. Not sure how well that would handle having a full cargo load or trying to tow a lot of weight with the front wheels having to split traction between turning and pulling. I know European style is FWD for economy and turning radius, but RWD is the gold standard for US vans!
superchan7 it high so you can put a grand piano on its side in there if you want...the floor is lower than a standard rear drive with about the same height if not taller
Fuel economy is atrocious I have the 118” and 16 mpg is the best I can get highway driving and the speed limit The mirrors are the best feature for a great command of the road but driving comfort is not that great. You feel like you’re driving a Winnebago RV
I'd take the EcoDiesel Promaster, with the 3.0 litre diesel engine, if for no other reason than it has more torque than horsepower. That's important whether you're carrying people, or other cargo. And while I've always questioned the logic behind front-wheel drive for full-sized vans, I do like unibody construction. Why it took so damn long for American car makers to produce a van with that kind of construction is beyond me. And while I like the Promaster City's size, I would appreciate the option of a smaller turbo diesel engine, probably a 2.0-2.5 litre diesel engine. :)
Jason Carpp Let me destroy that idea for you... The diesel is awful, the transmission attached to it is even worse. Driving one of these vehicles is a nightmare.
This Van is pretty successful in Italy. Also, Peugeot and Citroen use this design too, altough the Fiat has better engines and more powerful ones as well.
please for the love of god stop the beeping in the background. That sound has been used in several motorweek videos and I feel like im having a stroke or something when it plays. i am not exaggerating here. I almost cannot watch the video because of it. I have to turn the volume down so low just to be able to tolerate it.
Денис Ушаков Bullshit. This was most selled van in europe. Peugeot and Citroen also sell this van under their brand. It would not live so long if is so bad. "Since 1981, more than 2.6 million Fiat Ducatos have been produced.[2] The Ducato is the most common motorhome base used in Europe; with around two thirds of motorhomes using the Ducato base.2
Very interesting and powerful gasoline engines for those fiat Ducato and Doblò with some strange names! Lol we only have the diesel engines (which doesn't gonbeyond 140bhp on the Doblò and 180 on the Ducato....but are better for the heavy duty and dirty jobs
I'd be willing to bet that the American market really called for the stronger engines to suit driver tastes (ie, more power!), plus they're already set up for US emissions standards too. Kinda uave to wonder if there are any internal or programming differences between the 6 speed in the red van and what the the rest of the vehicles that use that trans get.
GreenJeep1998 That is the case. The gasoline V6 drivetrain in the Promaster is a version of the one used in the Chrysler minivans (apparently the only major change is a lower final drive ratio). The 3.0 liter diesel is the same one that has been used in the Mitsubishi Fuso medium duty trucks in the US for several years. That means that both engines were already EPA certified. Of course the 2.4L Tigershark / 9 speed ZF combination in the Promaster City is standard fare for FCA in North America (Dart, 200, Renegade, Cherokee, etc.... The smaller engines offered in Europe would not be acceptable for the North American market.
A diesel with a 6 spd manual option? That's pretty awesome!
I Europe most of this Vans are diesel and manuals.
i wish it was manual. it's 'automated manual' turns out it wasn't very good so it's only in like '14 and '15 vans. They should've offered true 6spd manual in the US. smh
2:26 wow it's got enough room to haul a smart car. lol
and it's FWD
At work, we just traded in our 2012 E-150 that just hit 190k miles for the Ram Promaster. I don't know if it is the V6, or the diesel. Hopefully the V6, because that sounds like a blast to drive, compare to the paltry 195HP in the 4.3l V6 in our Chevy Express Vans. I question though how a Tall fullsized FWD van is going to handle in the snow and ice. Ford had more power, but it was geared more for towing, so it felt sluggish.
I'll be fine with this style of van when companies pull their heads out of their asses and realize AWD/4WD is an asset for many. The only thing that used to have it other than the Sprinter was the Express 1500 and now that has even been eliminated.
FantomLightning And the Astro
Martin Espinoza I was just waiting for someone to reply with that. Astro is a moot point in this discussion. It ended production 10 years ago now. Express was available till recently with ironically enough the same AWD system as the Astro underpinning it. Don't get me wrong, I like the Astro and wish there would be a revival of something like it. But in the context of this it isn't that relevant with how long ago it was killed off.
FantomLightning And yet, also more relevant because it's unibody. The point was market already tried and rejected a superior but similar product.
Martin Espinoza Ehhh, Astro isn't exactly what I'd call a true "Unibody". And it's differences on being RWD set it quite a bit apart from these newer vans.
***** It would be mine too except the hi-top is the ugliest van ever conceived by man
FWD is great in bad winter places like Alberta here, no wonder i've seen so many around, they are UGLY though, that low solid beam rear axle looks like a tractor when they're on the road and unloaded jacked up in the rear too, very european
that's also why Amazon uses them
In europe they are already old vans
Living in a van
This is the old model of Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat.
I love the videos of the retro reviews of the vehicles from the 80s, 90s ,00s, and more!! ^_^
0:17 the Chevy express is the van with an old school design the ford E series was discontinued.
I drive a promaster every damn day. It's a complete turd to drive and breaks down often. Headlights are useless, door straps constantly break and there are buttons on the dash that seem to do nothing.
There is no actual park setting on the awful "transmission", the parking brake must be used to hold the vehicle.
The door handles open upward, meaning there is a pinch area at the top of the handle, this area is good for trapping ice in winter and the occasional thumb or palm of the new guys hand when they first get in and I forget to warn them about it.
I experienced the ProMaster van today. A class B RV. Loved it except the deal killer is the drivers seat is incredibly uncomfortable and takes several minutes of spinning a knob to adjust it. Still doesn't adjust to a comfortable position and the steering wheel doesn't tilt. A total surprise considering it is supposed to be so popular. Next week I will try an RV wilth a Ford van. A lot uglier but...
I worked on one of these about 2 weeks ago came into the shop was in limp mode found a wire behind the fuse box in the loom all talked away no room whatsoever to work on these things and the war was corroded I fixed it cleared to check engine light and that fixed it. But I tell you working on these things they are junk
No crash test has been conducted.
That's what I came for too.
This has got to be one of the ugliest vehicles on the road. I'd rather have a Ford Econoline any day.
I've not met someone who has driven this and then Ford equivalent to like the Promaster. The big things I hear is the Promaster isn't comfortable. For me, while I've not driven the Promaster, I think it's funny it's FWD, especially in the dual rear wheel configuration. Not sure how well that would handle having a full cargo load or trying to tow a lot of weight with the front wheels having to split traction between turning and pulling. I know European style is FWD for economy and turning radius, but RWD is the gold standard for US vans!
The FWD ProMaster's big selling point has been the FWD layout enabling a lower load floor at the back. So why the heck is it so high?!
superchan7 it high so you can put a grand piano on its side in there if you want...the floor is lower than a standard rear drive with about the same height if not taller
It's for payload. That's why most pickup trucks sit higher in the rear.
Fuel economy is atrocious
I have the 118” and 16 mpg is the best I can get highway driving and the speed limit
The mirrors are the best feature for a great command of the road but driving comfort is not that great. You feel like you’re driving a Winnebago RV
Where can i get the Camry cut out?!?
KEY WORD RELATED TO FIAT.
I'd take the EcoDiesel Promaster, with the 3.0 litre diesel engine, if for no other reason than it has more torque than horsepower. That's important whether you're carrying people, or other cargo. And while I've always questioned the logic behind front-wheel drive for full-sized vans, I do like unibody construction. Why it took so damn long for American car makers to produce a van with that kind of construction is beyond me. And while I like the Promaster City's size, I would appreciate the option of a smaller turbo diesel engine, probably a 2.0-2.5 litre diesel engine. :)
Jason Carpp Let me destroy that idea for you... The diesel is awful, the transmission attached to it is even worse. Driving one of these vehicles is a nightmare.
The european version actually has a smaller diesel engine, not sure why they dont ship it to the US
Man i wonder how difficult it would be to work on that V6?
Nice to know that Dodge is using a 2x4 of wood for the rear suspension on that van! The worst setup for a solid rear axle is how Dodge has done it.
sead garanovic - Next time, tell Dodge this. "Great job Dodge! Your craftsmanship is appreciated!"
No really. Get a GM instead.
Front wheel drive is not a selling point
This Van is pretty successful in Italy. Also, Peugeot and Citroen use this design too, altough the Fiat has better engines and more powerful ones as well.
Why does America get euro vans?
lawnmowerdude yes
please for the love of god stop the beeping in the background. That sound has been used in several motorweek videos and I feel like im having a stroke or something when it plays. i am not exaggerating here. I almost cannot watch the video because of it. I have to turn the volume down so low just to be able to tolerate it.
***** beeping? I dont hear it..
MARS PLEX it starts around 3:50
MARS PLEX Its in the beat of the awful background music.
yea, and for whatever reason it really disorients me.
***** volume down CC on...too easy
these are cool although I did a video on some annoying quirks on it
Funny to see this vans in the US as a European. ;)
Doesn't Mercedes rebadge this as there own vans ?
I WANT AWD PLEASE
I am in eourod
I am in eurup
Pro Master Smart Good in snow Transit 350 Junk i know i had one 2016 no parts
How did the promaster get best in class it’s a garbage vehicle
in Europe those are wrost vans
Денис Ушаков No they are not.
AdrianoCROST yes, they are worst than any van on market
Денис Ушаков Bullshit. This was most selled van in europe. Peugeot and Citroen also sell this van under their brand.
It would not live so long if is so bad.
"Since 1981, more than 2.6 million Fiat Ducatos have been produced.[2] The Ducato is the most common motorhome base used in Europe; with around two thirds of motorhomes using the Ducato base.2
AdrianoCROST becausethey cheap, not because they good/ Sprinter, LT & Transit are mutch better
No
ok vans, but the stock tires are junk. we got only 20,000 miles out of them
What? No 0-60 or slalom tests? lol
Very interesting and powerful gasoline engines for those fiat Ducato and Doblò with some strange names! Lol we only have the diesel engines (which doesn't gonbeyond 140bhp on the Doblò and 180 on the Ducato....but are better for the heavy duty and dirty jobs
I'd be willing to bet that the American market really called for the stronger engines to suit driver tastes (ie, more power!), plus they're already set up for US emissions standards too. Kinda uave to wonder if there are any internal or programming differences between the 6 speed in the red van and what the the rest of the vehicles that use that trans get.
GreenJeep1998 That is the case. The gasoline V6 drivetrain in the Promaster is a version of the one used in the Chrysler minivans (apparently the only major change is a lower final drive ratio). The 3.0 liter diesel is the same one that has been used in the Mitsubishi Fuso medium duty trucks in the US for several years. That means that both engines were already EPA certified. Of course the 2.4L Tigershark / 9 speed ZF combination in the Promaster City is standard fare for FCA in North America (Dart, 200, Renegade, Cherokee, etc.... The smaller engines offered in Europe would not be acceptable for the North American market.
SHIT DODGE STYLE And fiat quality> ooooo JEESS CAN I HAVE ONE. LOL
Ugliest thing I've ever seen. The Sprinter looked nicer.
Gary James My sentiments exactly!!!
Sad, but true. I hate these ero trash style vans, they're all ugly.
They looked ugly to me in the past. Not so much lately. Go figure.
Ram Pro is sie fiat is good
This is an European van copy.
The way the guy talks almost makes it sound like it's a comedy promo review vid than an actual review.
Fiat on turkey lul
Woooaw this realy can drink gas
They ripped of fiat
It’s not even “inspired” or “based on” anymore, it’s just straight up copying!
Dodge.... Nope.
It's... ugly
green93 yes
I know this is all about function over form, but this is probably the ugliest vehicle ever produced.....move over, Pontiac Aztek!