New Ram Van Confirmed

[cawimmer430]

I like the Fiat Doblo. It looks nice and build quality has much improved over its predecessor. It's also the kind of car I need for all my equipment as it's BMW 1-Series in size yet taller. I'm having trouble fitting my three softboxes into the 1er and I hate to take them apart as they're a pain to assemble. Give me a Fiat Doblo with an efficient diesel and I'll be happy. 

Also, why are some people here complaining that it is FWD like the Transit? It is supposed to be RWD and come with a big V8 and a 6-speed manual? It's FWD and that helps engine efficiency and increases interior space. Who buys a Fiat Doblo for 1/4 mile drag racing and track performance? Who? The only organization that comes to mind is BMW and Driver. They'd even criticize an Unimog for crap track performance... 

[2o6]

Who is complaining about the drive wheels? All minivans are FWD.

[cawimmer430]

Who is complaining about the drive wheels? All minivans are FWD.

In general. People seem to throw a fit if this thing isn't RWD and powered by an Abarth-tuned engine...

[2o6]

In general. People seem to throw a fit if this thing isn't RWD and powered by an Abarth-tuned engine...

No, they don't.

[hounddog]

Wow ugly

I think it is even uglier than that Nissan Cube thing, and I honestly did not believe that possible.

[cawimmer430]

I think it is even uglier than that Nissan Cube thing, and I honestly did not believe that possible.

You're looking at the "Cargo Version" which is a bare bones worker model.

The civilian Doblo is quite handsome IMO. Of course design is subjective in the end. I love Dodge Diplomats, Carspin hates them...

[2o6]

It's a commercial van, the styling is a non-event, IMO.



It doesn't look good, though.

[Soup DeVille]

It's designed to be a purpose-built commercial vehicle.  It's not intended for the average personal-use consumer.

It was marketed (and still is) as a replacement for the Ranger.

[Soup DeVille]

I don't understand your vendetta. It's a commercial van.

I don't think you're using that word correctly.

Its a sub-par vehicle.

[2o6]

I don't think you're using that word correctly.

Its a sub-par vehicle.

In what sense?

It was marketed (and still is) as a replacement for the Ranger.

Huh?

[Soup DeVille]

In what sense?

Huh?

Have you ever actually sat in one? Or tried to drive one?

No?

Trust me on this; its a crapwagon.

[ifcar]

So maybe it is. Would you rather small businesses buy a bigger, more expensive Ford Econocrapwagon? You wouldn't buy either for personal use, which is fine because other vehicles exist for someone shopping for personal use. They're just more expensive or not as roomy.

You mention the Ranger -- Ford has also said that the Fiesta and Focus are replacements for the Ranger. The Transit Connect because it's now Ford's relatively cheap, relatively fuel-efficient utility vehicle for commercial buyers; the economy cars because they're now the least expensive models in the lineup.

[Soup DeVille]

I have no problem with it being sold as a Florist's van. Yet even if that's all it is: they could have and should have done much better.

[ifcar]

I have no problem with it being sold as a Florist's van. Yet even if that's all it is: they could have and should have done much better.

This was a low-investment experiment -- introducing an aging design to see if there was any market for a smaller van. As it happened, there was, regardless of how it drives. So with Fiat getting into the game, Ford will be inspired to upgrade.

(Or, if the Econoline is any indication, it will be inspired to upgrade in about 25 years.)

[Soup DeVille]

This was a low-investment experiment -- introducing an aging design to see if there was any market for a smaller van. As it happened, there was, regardless of how it drives. So with Fiat getting into the game, Ford will be inspired to upgrade.

(Or, if the Econoline is any indication, it will be inspired to upgrade in about 25 years.)

Put it this way: if I could walk into a dealership and buy a brand new 1991 Chevy Astro for the same price as a Transit Connect, I might flip a coin.

I don't think there's any reason to settle for that.

[2o6]

Put it this way: if I could walk into a dealership and buy a brand new 1991 Chevy Astro for the same price as a Transit Connect, I might flip a coin.

I don't think there's any reason to settle for that.

You're exaggerating.

[Soup DeVille]

You're exaggerating.

No, I don't think so. The difference would be in cargo capacity and fuel efficiency; and that's all.

[hounddog]

You're looking at the "Cargo Version" which is a bare bones worker model.

The civilian Doblo is quite handsome IMO. Of course design is subjective in the end. I love Dodge Diplomats, Carspin hates them...

Handsome in the same way this cat is handsome;



And the same way this dog is handsome;

[ifcar]

No, I don't think so. The difference would be in cargo capacity and fuel efficiency; and that's all.

I think a lot of businesses would indeed weigh the Astro's extra space against the Transit Connect's extra fuel economy and go for that hypothetical brand-new '91.

Because business owners don't especially care how their commercial vehicles drive.

[Madman]

I can imagine the Doblo becomming a funky fashion accessory aimed at the sort of people who like those tall, boxy cars.  Think Scion xB, Nissan Cube or Kia Soul.  In fact, many elements of the Doblo remind me of the Kia Soul.  All the more reason why I think this should be marketed as a companion to the Fiat 500 and not as a Dodge/Ram work truck.

[2o6]

I can imagine the Doblo becomming a funky fashion accessory aimed at the sort of people who like those tall, boxy cars.  Think Scion xB, Nissan Cube or Kia Soul.  In fact, many elements of the Doblo remind me of the Kia Soul.  All the more reason why I think this should be marketed as a companion to the Fiat 500 and not as a Dodge/Ram work truck.

The Doblo is much bigger and much crappier inside and (I presume) to drive.

It's a commercial van, and it should stay a commercial van.


The actual vehicle that is the same size would be the Fiorino/Qubo

Fiorino


Qubo

[2o6]

But honestly, I think the small van of choice will be the NV200.

[cawimmer430]

But honestly, I think the small van of choice will be the NV200.

Ugh, now that is UGLY and GENERIC. The Dobo and even the Qubo are far more stylish IMO.

This looks like a boxier Nissan Serena - one of the worst Nissans ever made.

[cawimmer430]

Handsome in the same way this cat is handsome;

And the same way this dog is handsome;

You have to see the new Doblo in person to appreciate it. It looks stylish and has the aura of a lifestyle car behind it. It's especially appealing to me from a design point of view given how bland the original looked.

Here's the original, quite boring, plain and ugly.

[Atomic]

^OMG! you are sooo right!

[cawimmer430]

^OMG! you are sooo right!

I'm always right. 

[2o6]

Ugh, now that is UGLY and GENERIC. The Dobo and even the Qubo are far more stylish IMO.

This looks like a boxier Nissan Serena - one of the worst Nissans ever made.

The NV has a more useful shape in the same footprint as the Doblo and Transit Connect.


The NV beats out both, and is really the best choice in the class...

You have to see the new Doblo in person to appreciate it. It looks stylish and has the aura of a lifestyle car behind it. It's especially appealing to me from a design point of view given how bland the original looked.

Here's the original, quite boring, plain and ugly.

IT IS A COMMERCIAL VAN. NOTHING MORE. IT IS NOT A "LIFESTYLE" VEHICLE, UNLESS YOUR LIFESTYLE INVOLVES HAULING CAKES AND BUILDING MATERIALS.


Honestly, I think it was dumb of Fiat to drop the Idea, Mutipla (although ugly, it was a small tall van/hatch), and Ulysee and not offer real replacements. Then tart up their cheap commercial vans to do double duty.

[cawimmer430]

The NV has a more useful shape in the same footprint as the Doblo and Transit Connect.


The NV beats out both, and is really the best choice in the class...


IT IS A COMMERCIAL VAN. NOTHING MORE. IT IS NOT A "LIFESTYLE" VEHICLE, UNLESS YOUR LIFESTYLE INVOLVES HAULING CAKES AND BUILDING MATERIALS.


Honestly, I think it was dumb of Fiat to drop the Idea, Mutipla (although ugly, it was a small tall van/hatch), and Ulysee and not offer real replacements. Then tart up their cheap commercial vans to do double duty.

It's a commercial van that has been redesigned to at least have some sort of appeal to private buyers. It's popular amongst families looking for a cheap car that's spacious.

It's not exactly a hardcore lifestyle car, but it can be in certain trim. I find it appealing from a price and interior space for my equipment perspective.

[Atomic]

It's a commercial van that has been redesigned to at least have some sort of appeal to private buyers. It's popular amongst families looking for a cheap car that's spacious.

It's not exactly a hardcore lifestyle car, but it can be in certain trim. I find it appealing from a price and interior space for my equipment perspective.

some great info, thanks! i commented a few days ago on the prospects of what "true" north america vehicles will be like once fiat-chrysler redesign current fiat vehicles like this "new ram" solely for the u.s./canada market. however, i think this new to north american market fiat-based van will do nicely if MPG figures and rising gasoline prices remain issues. with all of the new technology and greater appreciation of diesels, introducing (clean) diesel powered cars/trucks/vans/suv's/crossovers to NA at this juncture will be very well received by u.s. car companies, dealers and customers alike.

[Atomic]

But honestly, I think the small van of choice will be the NV200.

damn, this nissan makes our u.s. quest look like an exotic sports car 

i actually like the quest, but i may be bias as a nissan owner; although not bias enough to like the NV200.

isn't the NV200 the van coming to the u.s. in droves to "replace' the ford crown vic as #1 taxi can in NYC?