First Ram Promaster van class B

mlts22 wrote:
The Ducato is FWD, so it would be hard to attach a driveshaft to a transaxle, as well as make clearance for the transfer cases. This means that for almost all intents, a 4x4 conversion is out of the question.

They do sell a 4x4 version of the Ducato in Europe, equivalent to a Sportmobile.


As well Mercedes does sell a 4 X4 Conversion from the factory.

Dayvvd wrote:
The Sprinter will remain in a class by itself because the Ram Ducato can't equal the Sprinter in size and design freedom. Their competition will be with the Ford Transit and in looking at the specs on both now I think the Ford Transit has greater design opportunities.

The US Sprinter has it over the RAM Promaster version of the Ducato in size. Here we have the equal in size to the Sprinter, the VW Crafter (basically the same thing but built by VW)and the IVECO Daily Vans.
The Ducato can be stretched to 27-28ft with the double axle version.

The Ford Transit will have more upfit ability because it is RWD, so it can be upfitted with a third party 4x4 system like Quigley's or Sportmobile's.

The Ducato is FWD, so it would be hard to attach a driveshaft to a transaxle, as well as make clearance for the transfer cases. This means that for almost all intents, a 4x4 conversion is out of the question.

Ford also will have the six speed auto across the board. To boot, the EcoBoost is getting over its teething problems, getting 20+ MPG numbers on heavier vehicles, although this is heavily dependent on how heavy one's foot is.

The Sprinter will remain in a class by itself because the Ram Ducato can't equal the Sprinter in size and design freedom. Their competition will be with the Ford Transit and in looking at the specs on both now I think the Ford Transit has greater design opportunities.

topless wrote:
Front wheel drive AND a Fiat? Never, ever, even consider one.

They well and truly outsell Sprinters in Europe as Class B bases.

free radical wrote:

bobojay5 wrote:
Tonight Winnebago introduced a new class B offering on the new Ram Promaster van calling it the "Travato".
More info to come.

I dislike front wheel drive,so will never buy that rig,,

Front wheel drive AND a Fiat? Never, ever, even consider one.

Asheguy wrote:
One of my pet peeves is that Jeep hasn't come out with a current technology diesel version of the Wrangler in the US instead of working as hard as they can to dilute their brand with the "car" Jeeps that are Jeep in name only. I've had four Jeeps (Cherokees and Wrangler) but no longer have one due to their miserable mileage

When diesel was introduced into sedans in Australia, same sort of reaction as in the US. People here thought diesel was fine for Trucks and SUV's but a sedan needed "more performance". In the last 3years the sale of diesel sedans has increased 50% here. A Lot of that is do to the surprising advances in Diesel technology. BMW has just releases a 3 Litre diesel SUV, roughly 5000lbs in weight but goes from 0-60mph in 5.1 seconds.
I suspect the uptake of diesel for other than HDT Trucks and some SUV's will be a much more gradual process in the US. You are now getting more European vans, A RAM 1500 with a small diesel and I have noticed the US Army is now bringing European designed Cabover HDT/MDT trucks into its fleet. So changes are happening.

RobertRyan wrote:
The Diesel powered alternate outdoor cooktop,hot water and internal heating are something you would not find in a NA Class B.

That's because the US, at least, is diesel adverse except in heavy trucks and equipment compared to most of the world. You can see it in these forums and US buying habits.

One of my pet peeves is that Jeep hasn't come out with a current technology diesel version of the Wrangler in the US instead of working as hard as they can to dilute their brand with the "car" Jeeps that are Jeep in name only. I've had four Jeeps (Cherokees and Wrangler) but no longer have one due to their miserable mileage. Of course, I have given up 4-wheel drive altogether for a 40 MPG VW Golf TDI. So, far one winter without regrets. Of course, it hardly snowed here this year. :)

I only know one rig that offers a Webasto diesel cooktop, flat plate heater, diesel furnace, and other features. That is a custom upfitted Sportsmobile, but the upfit cost is $68053.00 on top of the cost of the Sprinter with the proper options (smaller DEF tank) which is 50,000 MSRP.

So, for the features that even come close to an Aussie B, it will be US $118,053.00, or AUD 114,459.00

loving retirement wrote:
A number of very nice features not available up to this point in North America. Should be very interesting for the next few years what PW, RT and others do with their B's.

The Diesel powered alternate outdoor cooktop,hot water and internal heating are something you would not find in a NA Class B.