Chrysler Debuts ProMaster Commercial Van

Chrysler Group LLC publicly introduced the Ram ProMaster light commercial van today at the Chicago auto show.

Chrysler hasn't offered a fullsize commercial van since it stopped selling a Dodge variant of the rear-drive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in 2010.

The front-drive ProMaster is a variant of the Fiat Ducato van sold in Europe. Chrysler will assemble North and South American versions of the truck at its plant in Saltillo, Mexico, beginning this summer.

Chrysler says the ProMaster's front-drive powertrain and unibody construction results in a lighter truck with a lower load floor than competing rear-drive models such as Ford Motor Co.'s Transit van. The new van will be available in three wheelbases, four lengths, two heights and payload and towing capacities as great at 5,145 lbs and 5,100 lbs, respectively.

The standard powertrain is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 rated at 280 hp and a six-speed automatic transmission. An optional system pairs a 3.0-liter four-cylinder diesel (174 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque) with an electronically controlled six-speed automated manual gearbox.