RAM ProMaster 2014: American version of the Fiat Ducato

We knew that Chrysler would eventually offer a version of the Fiat Ducato commercial van for North America. The confirmation was made last week at the Auto Show in Los Angeles.

A vehicle very popular in Europe, especially in Italy.

This is the Commercial division RAM that will handle the marketing of the new vehicle that will begin next year.

Section before RAM

Promaster RAM will be available in North America will be identical to the European model, despite the appearance of a section before a product worthy of RAM, which should resemble the eponymous truck.

The commercial version of the van is reserved for Italian three passengers benefit from individual bucket seats, while the declination family can even be used as a mini bus.

U.S. lifts?
The commercial van will be powered by new engines, borrowed from the U.S. division of Chrysler LLC.

Bet that the Pentastar V6 3.6-liter 305 horsepower will be one of them.

In Europe, it is powered by a four-cylinder 3.0-liter turbo diesel that delivers a power of 177 horsepower and a torque of 542 lb-ft.

Tough competition
Commercial vehicles and delivery of this type abound in North America:

Chevrolet Express
Ford Transit
Ford E-Series Van
GMC Savana
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Nissan NV200
The Westfalia Columbus
He will soon return to Canada and New West is the company of Saint-Nicolas, specialist in conversion vans, recreational vehicles, which will distribute in Canada.

Columbus is just the Westfalia van Fiat Ducato converted recreational vehicle.

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The new Land Rover Freelander 2013 in the drive report

All too common off-set the hard-line Land Rover Freelander so, to be not a real SUV. Worse, they assign him to the type of vehicle "soft roaders". For Freelander drivers an affront. We have taken this bloated insinuations to the bottom. Test car: the Land Rover Freelander model year 2013th

Other than maybe the new Range Rover Evoque, the new facelift of the Freelander is clearly recognized as a true "Landy". Despite its relatively compact dimensions, it looks beefy without being massive. It is less "lifestyle", rather an honest. Even if, in the first seat sample might suggest otherwise: the elegant, light beige leather of our test car, the panorama roof and send the fine workmanship can actually initially a lifestyle SUV upscale think. The large format installed plastic surfaces but to get the viewer entranced but back to the earth. Nevertheless, the interior of our Land Rover Freelander has a total solid to classy.

Lever in "D". The good first impression thickens: one feels in the cockpit of the Land Rover Freelander immediately comfortable. For many cars it's gotten so that the driving, thanks to the numerous available electronic capabilities, the driving behavior to make worse, feels very synthetic. The new Freelander is not the case. The ergonomics are perfect, the steering is direct enough, and the feedback of the landing gear can be truthfully described as pleasant.

Potholes takes the supposed soft roader with no problems, until 20 cm depth's pothole is uncomfortable - at least felt. Despite the high travel suspension, the suspension affects all comfort but firm enough to register transverse joints, as well as minor shocks and bumps can. Only when one is quicker cornering happy with the lateral support-giving arm, the wheels of the Freelander dive but relatively deeply into the wheel arches and leave the SUV shake noticeably.

A particularly lively handling can not expect those who choose the 150-hp diesel eD4 (from 28,200 euros) or TD4 (from € 29,900). Although the TD4 in conjunction with automatic transmission in a respectable 11.2 seconds from zero to one hundred km / h speed up, the all-wheel drive but has put 420 Nm maximum torque despite his love trouble, the imposing mass of about 1800 kg in motion: the motor acts quickly choked, the throttle response is delayed. Dynamically oriented Freelander Interested parties should therefore opt for the 190 horsepower diesel engine or the 240 horsepower gasoline engine (both from 37,300 euros).

The terrain is the way the Freelander after his big brothers. The permanent all-wheel drive with Haldex rear axle in our TD4 responds in 150 milliseconds on scarce traction loss and immediately changed the distribution of drive power between the front and rear wheels. Facilities also include the Gradient Release Control, which ensures both uphill on slopes as gentle and safe start.

Overall, the new Land Rover Freelander has become the model year 2013, a car that feels comfortable in both the onsite and on country roads. Given the skills on solid ground, the Freelander may grumble quite so confident "soft roaders". However, there is then a softie alleged that certainly goes off one or the other circled the self-proclaimed competition in the compact segment ...

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Jaguar F-Type Fire in sand

With the F-Type Jaguar wants his fans have quite a bit of freedom. A number of design options to offer to the buyers of the super sports and you can its very individual F-Type factory can customize. Something you want to ask, for example, six colors to choose from, to include the deep orange (called Fire sand), located in the present, the F-Type currently at the LA Auto Show.

This one has to have the ability to equip its own Jaguar-athletes with additional spoilers, side skirts and a rear diffuser. Optionally, provide one air intakes and a glos black grille. The Black Pack is available for the interior, and to improvements in the look with black elements. It also includes a corresponding sports steering wheel with one.

What would be a Jaguar junk box without the corresponding high engine choices? One can choose between a 3 liter V6 it, the turbocharged 340 hp and even more than 380 hp. The high-end unit offers the Jaguar F-Type V8 S with a large 5 liter and 495 hp V8 it. In 4.3 seconds it takes the Roadster from zero to 100 km / h Up to 300 km / h should be in there. In May 2013, the date is set for No Mart management.

Images: © Jaguar

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