Less than six months ago, Ram Commercial released its clever Crew Van, which is the perfect compromise for those needing to carry both cargo and passengers simultaneously. Now, the brand has updated the ProMaster range for 2023, with several revisions carried out for the new model year. Most importantly, however, is the addition of a battery-powered derivative to fight the Ford E-Transit. More information on the EV model will follow soon.
A wide array of configurations are available (19 in total) catering to the exacting needs of customers. Among them are three roof heights and wheelbases, and four vehicle lengths, with cargo lengths of 8-ft, 10-ft, 12-ft, and 13.5-ft. What's more, the ProMaster boasts up to 6,910 lbs of towing capability and a class-leading 4,680 lbs payload. Powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 276 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque, the front-wheel-driven ProMaster should prove to be a fairly sprightly van. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard.
Ram says the ProMaster has been developed with the customer's needs in mind. For 2023, a number of enhancements have been made, including a "segment-exclusive" rear roll-up door that, says Ram, will satisfy delivery customers. Constructed from anodized aluminum, it's not only lightweight but durable too. A high-roof configuration on the 13-foot ProMaster cargo van has also been introduced, adding ten inches of headroom over the next configuration.
"Ram ProMaster continues to evolve as we listen and respond to commercial customer input, and the 2023 model is a culmination of that effort. Now available in three roof heights and featuring a broad array of safety, advanced technology, and connectivity features, Ram ProMaster delivers confidence for hardworking people every day, no matter their line of work," said Ram CEO, Mike Koval Jr.
Speaking of safety and convenience features, Ram has packed the ProMaster with technology and innovation. The redesigned front end doesn't just keep the van looking fresh, but the new headlights provide increased illumination. Optional LED headlights now offer 50% more range, with the standard halogen items providing 15% more range than before.
This and several key safety features make the 2023 ProMaster a safe place to be. Crosswind Assist, Drowsiness Detection, Traffic Sign Recognition, and post-collision braking all ship standard. The large size and awkward shape of a van often make maneuvering tricky. Not so with the ProMaster, which is available with a 360-degree Surround View camera. What's more, Level 2 is available via Active Driving Assist. The system uses radar and cameras for lane centering with adaptive cruise control.
Just because it's a commercial van doesn't mean it's sparingly equipped. Aside from the expected creature comforts of armrests and climate control, the new Uconnect 5 system is feature-rich. Now five times faster than the system it replaces, both the 7- and 10-inch touchscreens have split-screen capability, Wi-Fi connectivity, and the convenience of five individual user profiles. Naturally, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
Those who want their ProMaster to stand out from the crowd will be pleased to learn of the aesthetic enhancements. Aside from two new paint colors (Ceramic Gray and Spitfire Orange), an optional Black Appearance Package is also available for 2023 models, featuring a black grille, badges, and wheels. A new, black-painted machined-face wheel and a silver-finished wheel are also available.
Pricing has not been specified yet, but the 2023 Ram ProMaster will hit dealer lots in the third quarter of this year. There's no mention of whether the battery-powered derivative will join the range at the same time. It's imperative for the company to get into the electromobility sphere, as rival companies Ford and GM have several commercial EVs waiting in the wings. Deliveries of the ProMaster's deadliest rival, the E-Transit, started mid-February already.
The all-electric ProMaster will likely be based on Fiat's E-Ulysse, the brand's second EV since the introduction of the rejuvenated 500 compact. Ram says Amazon will be the brand's first commercial customer for the ProMaster EV. Alongside the electrified Ram 1500, the Stellantis-owned brand stands a good chance of fending off the EV onslaught from GM and Ford. But to survive, it will need more than just two planned models.