INDIANAPOLIS – Chrysler has unveiled its new 2012 Ram Cargo Van, or Ram C/V. The Ram C/V – features a solid sliding door, a rear quarter window, and backlight privacy panels in place of clear glass windows. However, buyers have the option of equipping a Ram C/V with several combinations of solid and glass panels, including a choice of solid or glass backlight.

“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 LLC. “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 Cargo Van 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.

Chrysler said the Ram C/V offers small businesses many competitive advantages, including an 1,800-lb. cargo payload and towing capability up to 3,600 lbs. It also provides a 20-gallon fuel tank and gets 25 mpg highway.

The company said its Ram Cargo Van is engineered to meet small business and commercial needs. 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. Ram C/V is also engineered with unique hydraulic power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, front anti-sway bar, and rear twist-beam axle with coil springs. Ram C/V has a maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 8,750 lbs.

The Ram C/V also offers standard electronic stability control (ESC), commercial load-tuned tire-pressure monitoring (TPM), and four-wheel anti-lock disc brake system (ABS).

Performance: New Pentastar V-6 Engine

The 2012 Ram Cargo Van comes with the company’s new, 3.6L Pentastar V-6 engine, which is mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transaxle. The Pentastar V-6 features variable valve timing and  delivers 283 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Ram C/V also features a new driver-selectable fuel economizer mode. Drivers can change the transaxle shift schedule with a flip of a switch to maximize fuel economy.

In addition, a rear spoiler and reduced brake caliper and rear bearing drag all contribute to Ram Cargo Van’s aerodynamics and fuel economy, the company stated.

Interior

The Ram C/V features a modern, new one-piece instrument panel with improved ergonomics and larger, redesigned gauges, the company stated. Trim rings in the console glow an ambient blue-green color, allowing passengers to find items at night.

The Ram provides 144.4 cubic feet of interior storage, for example enough space to haul four by 4x8 sheets of building materials. Cargo access is maximized via the front seats, Ram C/V’s rear liftgate and dual sliding doors, Chrysler stated.

Exterior

The new 2012 Ram Cargo Van also benefits from the exterior redesign given to Chrysler Group’s passenger minivans. Exterior improvements include a new front fascia, new hood, and quad headlamps. The Ram Cargo Van is also distinguished by prominent Ram badging, front and rear.

Standard Equipment

The Ram Cargo Van features a monochromatic paint scheme with body-colored front and rear fascias and side moldings. It also receives a special chrome C/V badge.

Standard features include covered 16-inch steel wheels, a 160-amp alternator, 20-gallon fuel tank, all-season extra-load capacity tires, 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, Ram Cargo Van gets 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, tire-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 2012 Ram Cargo Van is available in four paint colors: Bright Silver Metallic, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Stone White and True Blue Pearl.

Ram Cargo Van options include 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.

The 2012 Ram Cargo Van will be built at the Chrysler Group Windsor (Ontario) Assembly Plant and will go on sale third quarter 2011. The Ram Cargo Van will replace the Dodge Grand Caravan C/V in the Chrysler Group’s product lineup. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.