In Europe, the Fiat Ducato is a familiar sight/name, having been present on the narrow and usually potholed roads of the Old Continent since 1981. The current model is virtually identical to the Citroen Jumper and Relay, as well as the Peugeot Boxer, and most recently the Ram Promaster, which is basically the North America-approved version of the same basic Euro van.
The Promaster has now become available for order in its intended markets, where it promises something very different to the usual rear-wheel drive and ladder chassis norm.
Despite ditching the most frugal of the diesels the Ducato comes with back home, the Ram variant gets its motivation from a 3.0-liter oil-burner with 174 hp, as well as the familiar 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. The first sends its power to the front wheels via a five-speed Dualogic automated manual, while the petrol engine gets a conventional six-speed auto.
Since this is a bit of a novel kind of vehicle for the US market, with only the new Transit fitting the mold of a direct competitor, buyers are expected to appreciate the offering of two choices of roof height, three different wheelbases and four body lengths.
Additionally, it can be had as both a chassis cab and chassis cutaway from the factory, all of which boast the lowest loading floor in the class, and some support being loaded up via forklift.
Another area where this Mexican-built vehicle shines is its payload capacity, which in this case is set at 5,145 lbs or 2,333 kg, plus a maximum towing capacity of 5,100 lbs or 2,313 kg. Scroll down to check it out, along with a video first drive uploaded not long ago.
By Andrei Nedelea
