The 2015 Ram ProMaster City is the first commercial van to taste the Ike Gauntlet extreme towing test. It competes in the small van segment against the Ford Transit Connect, Nissan NV200, and Chevy City Express.
We didn’t know what to expect. At around 5,500 lbs of GCWR, this is the lightest vehicle and load combination we ever tested. Many full-size pickup trucks have curb weights more than this.
The Jeep off-road trailer weighs 1,280 lbs with some camping gear in it. The ProMaster City is using a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine and a 9-speed automatic transmission. Can it handle the load at the extreme elevation of the Ike Gauntlet? How will the brakes handle the downhill?
2015 Ram ProMaster City | |||
Model | Wagon | ||
As Tested $ | $27,945 | ||
Engine | 2.4-liter I4 | ||
Transmission | 9-speed Auto | ||
Power (hp / lb-ft) | 178 / 174 | ||
Tow Rating | 1,800 lbs | ||
Test Load (trailer + ppl) | 1,780 lbs | ||
Suspension Sag | 1 in | ||
Ambient Temp F | 70F | ||
Relative Humidity | Low (20%) | ||
Barometric Pressure (at top) | 19.76 inHg | ||
Calculated Power Loss | 33.5 % | ||
Down: Brake Temp (Front / Rear/ Trailer) F | N/A | ||
Down: Transmission Temp | normal | ||
Up: Time | 8:20.72 | ||
Up: MPG | 8.4 | ||
Up: Interior dB | 75 | ||
Up: Transmission Temp | normal |
The results were surprising! The ProMaster City handled the test with just barely a slowdown. The goal of the test is to finish the approximately 8 mile run in 8 minutes. The brakes handled the downhill just fine, although the transmission does not have a pronounced “grade shifting” mode to assist with the downhill.
And the most noteworthy number is the 8.4 MPG average according to the computer. This is by far the most we got in any other truck.
Watch this video for all the details.