italiaspeed.com

The Dodge Cargo Van is being reborn with the Ram badge and is now based around the refreshed version of the former's Grand Caravan mininvan that was introduced recently, including the arrival of the Pentastar V6 engine, and featuring some changes wrought to the rear loading area and the suspension for its new role.

Switching the van version of the Dodge's Grand Caravan into Ram's line-up is due to the latter having been created out of the former's LCV assets and as the flurry of "rebadged" vehicles from within the Chrysler Group shows no signs of abating. The new Ram C/V, which will be launched as a 2012 Model Year vehicle, will be built at the Chrysler Group Windsor (Ontario) Assembly Plant and will go on sale third quarter 2011. No pricing has been announced yet.

The Ram Cargo Van – or Ram C/V – has solid sliding doors, rear quarter window and tailgate panels in place of clear glass windows. However, buyers have the option of equipping their Ram C/V with several combinations of solid and glass panels, including a choice of solid or glass tailgate window.

“We see growth in the Class 1 light commercial vehicle market,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for U.S. Sales, Chrysler Group. “With its class-leading capability and a lower total cost of ownership, the highly versatile Ram Cargo Van is a great vehicle choice for small businesses and commercial fleets.”

The Ram C/V also receives a structural aluminum rear load floor. Two flooring options will be available, including one with a flat, uninterrupted, high-capacity surface. A second, optional floor provides through-the-floor access to three exclusive storage bins and load floor tie-downs. The Ram C/V provides a Class 1 commercial vehicle-leading 1,800-lb. cargo payload and category-exclusive towing capability, up to 3,600 lbs. A 20-gallon fuel tank and 25 mpg highway also deliver best-in-class fuel range.

The suspension has also seen some changes to allow for its new duties of carrying increased loads. According to the press release the Ram C/V now has a "commercial-tuned ride and heavy-duty load-leveling suspension offer maximum hauling capability. A heavy-duty radiator and heavy-duty transmission oil cooler help meet heavier powertrain demands." The Ram C/V is also engineered with a hydraulic power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, front anti-sway bar and rear twist-beam axle with coil springs and has a maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 8,750 lbs. Other standard features on the new van include electronic stability control (ESC), revised load-tuned tyre-pressure monitoring (TPM) and an anti-lock disc brake system (ABS).

The Pentastar V6 engine, which has recently been added to the Dodge Grand Caravan facelift model, will be offered in the Ram C/V fitted to a six-speed automatic transaxle. Performance ratings remain as standard for the Pentastar unit in this latest application with 283 hp and 260 lb/ft torque. The Ram C/V also carries over the driver-selectable fuel economiser mode which allows users to change the transaxle shift schedule to improve fuel economy. In addition, a rear spoiler and reduced brake caliper and rear bearing drag all contribute to van's aerodynamics and fuel economy.

Inside the Ram C/V benefits from the refreshed interior that was the cornerstone of the Grand Caravan makeover and with 144.4 cubic feet of interior storage, the Ram C/V is confident of leading out the segment, and, unlike other Class 1 competitors, it provides space to haul four by 4x8 sheets of building materials. Cargo access is maximised via the front seats, the Ram C/V’s rear tailgate and dual sliding doors.

The Ram C/V features a monochromatic paint scheme with body-colored front and rear fascias and side moldings. It comes in four paint colors: Bright Silver Metallic, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Stone White and True Blue Pearl. It also receives a special chrome C/V badge. Standard features include 16-inch steel wheels with trims, a 160-amp alternator, 20-gallon fuel tank, all-season extra-load capacity tyres, 730-amp maintenance-free battery, commercial-duty suspension, engine oil cooler, quad halogen headlamps, load leveling and height control, power rack-and-pinion steering and fold-away power exterior mirrors with heating element.

Inside, the Ram C/V carries over many of the standard features of the Grand Caravan while adding new ones that are specific to this role. Standard equipment includes air conditioning with dual-zone temperature control, an instrument cluster with 120 mph speedometer and tachometer, outside temperature display, an overhead console, A-pillar passenger assist handle, 120-volt auxiliary power outlet, 12-volt front and rear DC power outlets, air filtering, audio jack input for mobile devices, AutoStick automatic transmission, cloth low-back bucket seats, “Ram” interior accents, door courtesy lamps, driver and passenger-side sun visors with mirrors, rearview auto-dim mirror, dual glove boxes, front courtesy / map lamps, headlamp shut-off delay, cargo compartment observation mirror, a liftgate floodlamp, lower instrument panel storage bin, dual sliding doors with alert warning, power locks, power front windows, rear dome lamp, speed control, steering wheel mounted audio controls, tilting and telescoping steering wheel, tip start and variable intermittent windshield wipers.

Safety features include active head restraints, advanced multistage front airbags, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, Latch-ready child seat anchor system, tyre-pressure monitoring sensor, drivers side inflatable knee bolster air bag, electronic stability control, keyless entry with immobilizer and a tire pressure monitoring warning lamp.

The Ram C/V's options list includes an engine block heater, media center with 30 GB hard drive and 6.5-inch touch-screen display, audio jack input for mobile devices, Garmin navigation system, ParkView back-up camera, a Mopar cargo compartment floor mat, Mopar exterior vinyl window shading, a Mopar full-width cargo divider, power eight-way driver’s seat with lumbar adjust, front and rear power windows, security alarm, Sirius Satellite Radio and Uconnect handsfree voice command with Bluetooth, remote USB port, rearview auto-dim mirror, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, rear window defroster, rear window wiper and washer and supplemental side curtain airbags.