Ram ProMaster Metropolis, we hardly knew ye. A part of a brand new push for compact vans within the late 2000s, Stellantis, or extra particularly, a pre-PSA merger FCA (Fiat Chrysler Cars), imported a revised model of Fiat’s Doblo business van. This compact-car-based business van was meant to battle in opposition to related compact car-based choices just like the Ford Transit Join and Nissan NV200.
But, it looks as if the entire small van producers overestimated the demand for these teensy vans in the US as a result of all have been discontinued after the novelty wore off. Nissan’s van died in 2021, Ram discontinued the ProMaster Metropolis in 2022, whereas the Ford Transit Join was the final to depart, shutting the lights off in early 2023. Nonetheless, the rumor mill swirls. Stellantis is rumored to be mulling a return of the Ram ProMaster Metropolis, however this one could differ.
Stellantis needs extra Electrified fashions
Stellantis’s Dare Ahead 2030 program plans to make 100% of its passenger automobile gross sales in Europe absolutely electrical by 2030, and 50% of its passenger automobile and lightweight obligation truck fashions in the US by the identical yr. It plans to introduce greater than 75 full EV nameplates by then, throughout its 14 manufacturers.
In line with Mopar Insiders, the Ram ProMaster Metropolis can be based mostly on the Citroën Jumpy, not the smaller compact-sized Citroën Berlingo, which was a direct competitor to the Ram ProMaster Metropolis in markets outdoors of the U.S. and Canada. However, the Jumpy continues to be not as huge as full-sized vans just like the Ford Transit, or Ram’s personal ProMaster van. The Citroën Jumpy is offered below plenty of monikers relying on market and geographic location, together with the Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Knowledgeable, and Toyota ProAce. Most vans are powered by small fuel or diesel engines, however most pertinently for us right here at InsideEVs is the opportunity of the absolutely electrical variant of this van making its means right here.
The Citroën ë-Jumpy, Toyota Proace Electrical, Fiat E-Scudo, and Peugeot E-Knowledgeable could possibly be solidly compelling choices. Beneath, it makes use of plenty of the identical electrical working tools as not-for-USA Peugeot e208 and Opel Corsa Electrical, however with larger battery choices. This implies these vans are powered by the identical 136-horsepower front-mounted electrical motor powering the entrance wheels.
Powered by a 50 kWh or 75 kWh battery. The 50 kWh mannequin is rated for 139 miles of vary, whereas the 75 kWh mannequin can do 217 miles, in line with the WLTP cycle. It’s unclear how a lot these ranges would change in the event that they’re launched to North America, given how the EPA cycle is tougher than the WLTP cycle. Do not forget that the Fiat E-Ducato, which is mechanically much like the newly launched Ram ProMaster EV, is rated for 230 miles of vary in Europe. Within the U.S., its official ranking is just 162 miles. Stellantis says the E-Jumpy can 0-80 p.c in 38 minutes (50 kWh) or 45 minutes (75 kWh) when related to a 100 kW DC quick charger.
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These specs don’t appear all that groundbreaking, however a smaller, cheaper electrical van could possibly be simply what the market is on the lookout for. The introduction of this van would additionally dovetail properly with the new Ram ProMaster EV van and Stellantis’s reborn Ram Skilled line. The brand new Ram Skilled lineup goals to supply a “car answer for each business buyer,” and a smaller, cheaper electrical van might cater to some business automobiles who don’t need a Ram truck or discover the common ProMaster too huge or costly.
After all, there are nonetheless issues about the place the van could possibly be made; whether it is imported from Turkey, as Mopar Insiders predicts, then business and cargo variations can be topic to the U.S.’ notorious Hen Tax tariff. But, the previous ProMaster Metropolis was additionally imported from Turkey, and that didn’t cease FCA from promoting the car for years, so we’ll have to attend and see what’s going to occur subsequent. If the ProMaster Metropolis does return, it might occur as quickly as subsequent yr.
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