Ram Commercial’s ProMaster Rapid Returns For 2020:
No-Frills, All-Business, Work Van For Mexico, Latin, and South America...
The Ram ProMaster Rapid returns to the Mexican market for the 2020 model year. While the small city van is not available in either the United States or Canada, it continues to be an important part of the Ram Commerical lineup in Latin and South American markets. The Rapid has become synonymous with functionality and practicality in the Mexican market in one of the country’s fastest-growing segments the past few years.
The Rapid was created to provide solutions in a city setting for the delivery and distribution of goods in areas with narrow streets, reduced parking spaces, and heavy traffic conditions. The no-frills work van offers businesses a very affordable option that provides security, practicality, manageability, and capacity.
As for its design, the Rapid incorporates a textured front bumper and a simplistic front fascia. The rear of the vehicle features an elongated set of tail lights which provided superior visibility in any condition. The sides of the Rapid, provide a large space for advertising, while heavy-duty side moldings protect areas prone to have increased wear or damage to the vehicle’s body. The Rapid features 14-inch steel wheels with a basic center cap design.
The city van also features uniquely designed doors and great versatility in their openings so it can be easily adapted in small spaces. The rear doors have ergonomic handles and the ability to open up 180-degrees for easier loading/unloading and egress.
The interior of the ProMaster Rapid is all-business. The Ram small van features fabric seats with an ergonomic design that is easy to wash, power windows, a lockable glovebox, storage on the awning (ideal for storing small objects like a cellphone or two-way radio and keeping them out of sight), a standard radio featuring AM/FM/MP3 functions, air condition, and a spare tire behind the seat that is lockable (Ram says it allows for easier tire changes and doesn’t compromise having to move the load in the rear).
Speaking of loading, the Rapid has a load capacity of 650 kilograms (or 1,433 lbs) and a volumetric capacity of 3,100 liters (or about 109.5 cubic feet of space). The Rapid offers 6 fastening hooks in the cargo area. The small van has a cargo space on the roof of the cab, that can hold up to 10 kilograms (or 22 pounds).
The Ram ProMaster Rapid also has a McPherson front suspension and a rigid axle rear suspension. The Rapid can make U-turns on tight city streets with its 5.7-meter turning radius.
Power comes from an 83-horsepower, 88-pound-torque, 1.4-liter EVO four-cylinder engine coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission. There is no automatic transmission option. The powertrain combination offers a fuel rating of 14.92 km / l city – 18.60 km / l highway – 16.38 km / l combined (or when converted that makes about 35 mpg city – 43.7 mpg highway – 38.5 mpg combined).
While the Rapid won’t meet safety regulations in the United States or Canada, Ram does add basic safety features such as an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD). Reverse sensors have also been added as standard equipment that facilitates parking maneuvers in tight spaces. A Firestop Information System (FIS) is also equipped and allows the cut off operation of the fuel pump and opens the doors in the event of an impact.
Based on the Fiat Fiorino van, the Ram ProMaster Rapid is sold in Mexico and is also sold under the Ram V700 Rapid nameplate in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Peru markets. If you are in the Mexican marketplace the 2020 Ram ProMaster Rapid will set you back $252,900 MXN (or about $10,440 USD).
2020 Ram ProMaster Rapid Image Gallery:
