2014 Ram ProMaster prototype Spied in Denver as Fiat Ducato Maxi!

Expect the 2014 Ram ProMaster to have a unique grill/front design to differentiate from the Fiat Ducato Maxi.

In November of 2012, TFLcar reported that the Ram brand announced the ProMaster commercial van is coming stateside, but it did not reveal what it looks like.  Now, we spied what looks to be a test mule Fiat Ducato Maxi near Denver Colorado.  This prototype van had Michigan manufacture plates and was missing the front grille badge.  Based on how dirty it was, it must have been doing quite a bit of high altitude and cold weather testing in the Rocky Mountains above Denver.  The Ducato is a front drive platform and there are rumors of optional engines ranging from a 3.7 gasoline V6 to a 5 cylinder turbo diesel.

Since their break up with Daimler, Chrysler has been left without a commercial van in a very competitive market. With Nissan’s entrance into the market a couple of years ago with the Nissan NV and Mercedes still selling the Sprinter, it only makes sense for Ram to jump back into the ring.  Given the success that Fiat and Chrysler achieved in 2012, one would guess they are planning on taking a sizable chunk of the commercial van fleet market.

Fiat had already announced plans to bring the smaller Fiat Doblo as another Ram branded option.  Doblo will be in competition with the smaller Ford Transit Connect.  While the ProMaster will also be doing battle with the Ford Transit.  However, no dates have been set for either van’s availability. But rumors say the Ducato (ProMaster) will be available sometime in 2013.

I’m betting there will a grandiose reveal of the ProMaster at the 2013 NAIAS in Detroit, which will take place on January 14th through the 27th. Judging by the success of the Sprinter, I expect this van will be a real hit!

TFLcar team will be on location at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show bringing your the video, information, and updates.  In the meantime, please enjoy this TFLcar video Mashup review of the 2013 Ram 1500.

Destin Raybun
Destin Raybun

As a Mustang Bullitt owner, occasional auto-cross racer, and off-road adventurer, Destin has been an automotive fanatic since his first matchbox car over thirty years ago. Spare time is usually spent searching the web and reading anything of what’s new and old in the automotive industry. In the summer months, he is either displaying his Bullitt at car shows, participating in an SCCA amateur auto-cross, or exploring the beautiful Colorado Rockies on off-road trails in search of historic mining ghost towns.