CAR WARRIORS: RAM PROMASTER CITY CARGO

Friday, February 6, 2015

RAM PROMASTER CITY CARGO

It’s a Fiat Doblò van rebadged for North America as the 2015 Ram ProMaster City.

With the ProMaster City, Ram hopes to tap into the expanding market for small, Euro-style Class 1 vans. That market was created in 2010, when Ford took a gambler chance and brought its established Transit Connect from Europe. The Transit Connect’s success was sufficient to draw Nissan and its NV200 in 2013, which in turn convinced Chevrolet to offer its own NV200 badged as the City Express.

Now comes the ProMaster City, nee Doblò, to Ram dealers across the United States and Canada. It's the latest in a widening range of Italian-American ventures from the Fiat Chrysler Automotive group, yes, but it debuts with solid credentials, as front-drive commercial vehicles go. Since its launch in 2000, the Doblò has averaged more than 100,000 sales a year and earned International Van of the Year awards in successive generations.

Tweaked and trimmed for life in the New World, the ProMaster City makes some big claims. Ram says its compact van has the most floor space among competitors, the largest cargo volume (131.7 cubic feet), the heaviest payload (1,850 pounds) and a 2,000-lb towing capacity. It also has the most horsepower and the highest EPA highway rating (29 mpg) among comparably configured competitors, without the drone of a CVT transmission.

Nothing in the published data suggests Ram is stretching the truth, and the ProMaster City’s ability to do work will obviously play big with commercial customers. Yet there’s at least one more distinction that shouldn’t be minimized. While its competitors live with a solid rear axle underneath, the ProMaster City gets a genuine, fully independent, dual-link rear suspension.

The suspension was one of two primary areas Ram addressed when prepping the ProMaster City for North American duty. To account for the greater vertical loads generated by our crappier roads, ride height was increased. Key chassis components and anchor points were upgraded. Some structural elements in the unibody were strengthened to meet U.S. safety regulations, and the van’s engine box was widened to accommodate a new powertrain.

That powertrain was Ram’s second area of focus. In place of a range of smaller turbos and diesels used in the Doblò, Ram has fitted the ProMaster City with the 2.4-liter Tigershark four—familiar in the Dodge Dart, and assembled with a balance shaft and MultiAir oil-actuated intake valves in Dundee, Mich. The ‘shark is mated to Chrysler’s nine-speed 948TE automatic transaxle, also borrowed from the 200/Cherokee.When it comes to EPA ratings, the ProMaster City sits in the thick of it. Its combined rating of 24 mpg trails Nissan, The ProMaster City’s 29 mpg highway is surpassed .

The ProMaster City’s single wheelbase of 122.4 inches surpasses the long-wheelbase Transit Connect by about two inches, and the single-wheelbase NV200 by seven. There’s 4 feet, four inches of flat width between the rear wheel wells, and seven feet of floor length behind the front seats.

The five-passenger ProMaster City wagon offers four feet of cargo floor behind the rear seats, six with the seat folded ,It holds lots sun glasses, wallets or maps, . All come with sliding rear doors on both sides and 60/40 rear cargo doors that open 180 degrees. High-roof and seven-passenger variants are offered elsewhere, and Ram says it could get them to North America in fairly short order if it believes there’s demand.

The ProMaster City cargo starts at $24,125 . The wagon adds $1,000. Both will be offered in two trim levels and three window configurations, with glass optional on the rear side and rear cargo doors. Engines and transmissions are shipped from Dundee, Mich. and Kokomo, Ind., for vehicle assembly in Bursa Turkey, and all ProMaster City vans arrive as passenger wagons to avoid the so-called chicken tax on light trucks.

In the ProMaster City, the Tigershark generates 178 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. That beats the 2.0-liter four in the NV200/City Express by at least 25 percent on both counts, and the standard 2.5-liter four in the Transit Connect by eight hp and three lb-ft. The Tigershark matches Ford’s upgrade 1.6-liter EcoBoost in horsepower, Very well indeed, though we aren’t sure where drivability ranks when companies are filling commercial fleets. Nor can we tell you what it’s like to climb in and out of the back of a ProMaster City 100 times a day on busy city streets, or to squeeze a large, heavy object through its rear doors with a forklift.

Ram offered the ProMaster City for 30 miles of road time, some parking lot exercises and short loops in competitors with much higher mileage. We appreciated the opportunity, but we were left to evaluate the van as we might consider a Toyota Corolla, and that evaluation could have limited value for people buying what will primarily be a commercial vehicle. It could have even less value for people buying several.

We can tell you that the ProMaster City gets out of the hole with more vigor than its competitors, thanks to the nine-speed trans and a very low first gear ratio. To 30 mph or so, it goes almost as well as that Corolla, In a timed 0-60 mph run, the ProMaster City might squeak through in a tick under 10 seconds.

Its brakes are better than adequate for safe, hard stops from 60 mph or so—at least when the ProMaster City is empty. It’s well planted and exceptionally maneuverable, in the North American context of a commercial van, even with 1000 pounds loaded in back. The steering has genuine feel—neither too light nor too heavy—and evokes fading tactile memories of brand new, fully hydraulic power assist. On a less positive note, we’d bet the farm that the ProMaster City has the biggest curb-to-curb turning arc among its competitors.

Speaking of big, the five primary interior knobs (two for audio, three for HVAC) are just that. They’re easy to find and grab, whether you’re wearing gloves or not. The ProMaster City’s dash/switch scheme is a strength versus the competition. The Transit Connect layout, modeled after the mobile-phone-modeled button array in the Ford Fiesta, is more dense and cumbersome than the simple knob/touchscreen arrangement in the Ram.

There are nice touches throughout, even in the most bare-bones ProMaster City: USB and auxiliary ports, decent interior lighting front and rear, and big, easy-reach door releases with the door locks incorporated. Unlocking and opening is one simple motion. If the wipers are on, the rear wiper automatically starts when you engage reverse.

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KNOWING ABOUT YOUR POWER-TRAIN WARRANITY

A powertrain warranty is a form of assurance offered by the manufacturer of an automobile. When a consumer purchases a vehicle, at the time of sale, he or she will be given a powertrain warranty, which will cover all or part of the powertrain of the underlying automobile. When a mechanical problem occurs to the powertrain the costs associated with repair or replacement are covered in the powertrain warranty—the manufacturer or dealer whole sold the automobile will pay to have the car fixed. That being said, what parts are covered and the extent of the repayment associated with fixing the car will vary greatly based on the powertrain warranty offered.

Depending on the manufacturer, a powertrain warranty will provide different forms of coverage based on interpretative differences; for example, one manufacturer’s definition of an engine can be referred to as a ‘long block’, meaning the engine, as well as everything attached to it cannot be removed. Another definition of an engine can be a “short block” meaning only part of the engine—typically the piece below cylinder head—cannot be removed. As a result, the coverage abilities will vary between these two warranties if the engine proved to be faulty.

In addition to the engine, the type of automobile will necessitate different variables within the powertrain warranty. For example, if you purchased a manual transmission vehicle, the warranty may exclude repairs or replacements for important pieces, such as the clutch—an extended warranty for a manual transmission will typically only provide coverage for the driveshaft and the axles.

A powertrain warranty will last for a certain number of years or for a maximum number of miles. In most instances, the powertrain warranty will last longer than a typical car warranty; the basic powertrain warranty is offered as a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty, or whichever comes first.

Other Warranites Usually available to car buyers:

Basic: Also known as "bumper-to-bumper" coverage, this is the general coverage that would pay to repair defects in factory-installed parts. Tires are not typically included because they're usually covered under a separate tire manufacturer warranty.

Corrosion: Covers rust that causes holes in sheet metal in parts such as the doors or side panels.

Roadside assistance: Provides help with towing and tire-changing if the car breaks down while traveling.

It's best to check with dealers for specifics, but here is a list of seven top auto companies that offer among the best car warranties, despite the fact that many are rated safe cars by independent research firms.

Car Insurance Tips

Find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring, as well as the coverages you requested. Ask about free, value-added features, such as emergency roadside assistance. Check to see if repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car, and find out what kind of payment options are available.

To see if you’re getting credit where credit is due, it's a good idea to find out all the discounts available to you. Some simple ways to save money on your auto insurance include maintaining a clean driving record, being a good student and the inclusion of certain safety features when buying a new car can save you money on your policy.

Your state sets forth the minimum liability coverage you must maintain, as mentioned above. But these are just the legal minimums and might not give you the coverage you need. You'll have to decide what you want to buy beyond these minimums. Keep in mind that you are looking to find the balance between having adequate coverage and overpaying.

According to Consumer Reports, a general guideline for adequate bodily injury liability limits is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 for property damage. These amounts are what your insurer will pay to someone you are in an accident with. For uninsured motorist coverage, you should get the same amount as for bodily injury liability, as this covers your medical costs when someone who is not insured hits you.

Auto insurance tip #1
Understand why you need auto insurance
In short, you need car insurance to protect your car, yourself and your passengers. You also protect any assets, like your home and savings, as well as comply with state law.

Auto insurance tip #2
Know your current coverages-but be willing to adjust
Use your current coverages and limits as a starting point; you can refer to your declarations page for this information. Then, adjust your coverages as necessary to match your lifestyle-which might be different than it was when you first bought the policy.

For example, if your teenager starts driving next month, you might consider adding him or her to your policy now. Or, if you just bought a new car, you might choose loan/lease payoff coverage, so that if your car is stolen or declared a total loss, you'll have help paying off your loan or lease.

Auto insurance tip #3
Decide what you want to protect, then choose your coverages

Auto insurance tip #4
Use deductibles to your advantage
Your deductible is what you agree to pay out of pocket when you use your car insurance. In general, the higher you set your deductible, the less you'll pay for your policy. And conversely, if you set your deductible low, you'll pay more for your policy, but less when you have a claim.

Auto insurance tip #5
Know that certain things affect your rate
Insurance companies evaluate a variety of things when they calculate your rate, from your driving record to where you live and how many miles you drive on average. Keep this in mind when you see your rate.

More alternatives:

Raise your comprehensive and collision deductibles to at least $1,000, which lowers your premiums and prevents you from filing small claims that could jeopardize a claims-free discount. Add some more money to your emergency fund so you’ll have the cash to pay the deductible if anyone in your family does have an accident.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage entirely on older cars that are worth little more than the deductible. You may be paying more in premiums than you could ever get back from the insurer, even if the car is totaled.

Tell your insurer if your child goes away to college. If your child goes to school more than 100 miles away and does not use the car, you can usually get a big break on your premiums but still have coverage when he or she comes home for vacation.

Ask about other discounts for teenage drivers. Some insurers offer discounts for driver-safety programs, cutting costs if the kids take a special class, watch a DVD, or read a driver-safety book and take a test. Ask your insurer what your kid needs to do to qualify.

Make the most of multi-policy discounts. You’ll usually get a break on your auto insurance and your homeowners insurance if you keep both policies with the same company. You may get an additional discount if you include an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto-insurance limits and can be particularly valuable when you have a teenage driver.

Some insurers offer much better deals than others for teenage drivers, so it’s important to compare costs. The insurance company that offered the best rate for you and your spouse may have some of the highest rates when you add a teenage boy to the policy - and it’s almost always better to add the child to your policy rather than have him get his own policy.

You can get price quotes from several online insurance companies like Progressive or AllState or get personalized service from an independent insurance agent who works with many companies. You may not want to switch from a longtime insurer just to save a few dollars, however, because your current company may be less likely to raise your rate or drop you if your child has an accident. If you stay with the insurance company you currently have there more room for forgiveness and benefits of such various programs. Also keep in mind that if you have been getting a multi-policy discount, your homeowners-insurance rate might rise if you take your auto-insurance business elsewhere.

One thing you don’t want to do in an attempt to reduce your premiums is skimp on liability coverage. recommends liability limits of at least $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage or a policy with a “combined single limit” of $500,000, when available, which does not limit the coverage to $250,000 per person involved in the accident. Young drivers are more likely to have accidents, and lowering your liability limits could leave you on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses if your child does hit another car or injure someone.

CAR WARRIORS

Friday, February 6, 2015

RAM PROMASTER CITY CARGO

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