Pricing on the upcoming ProMaster vans from Chrysler's Ram Truck division will start at $26,030, the company announced today at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. The range of list prices for the front-wheel-drive European-style vehicles will go to about $36,000, said Bob Hegbloom, Ram Truck brand's director. 

The Fiat-based vans were adapted specifically for the North American market, with a re-engineered chassis, stronger brakes, and powertrains larger than what's used in Europe, he said. They'll be available in third quarter.

It will claim best-in-class numbers in several categories, including low floor height, lengthy oil change interval, and short turning radius, "like that of a midsize sedan," Hegbloom said. 

Fuel economy should also top that of competitors, and though there'll be no EPA economy ratings, customer testing with a 3-liter diesel indicates mpg numbers in the high 20s. 

ProMaster will come in 13 configurations, including panel and window vans, cab-chassis and cutaway chassis. There'll be two roof heights, three wheelbases and four body lengths. 

That variety, along with its front-drive system, "body-integral" construction and near-vertical walls, mean the ProMaster can be upfit for every conceivable commercial need, the company says.

The 2014 Ram ProMaster marks the North American introduction of a 174-horsepower 3.0-liter inline 4-cylinder EcoDiesel engine that generates peak torque of 295 lb.-ft. at just 1,400 rpm. Refinements include internal components, turbocharger and emission controls. 

Helping to reduce total cost of ownership, an oil-level sensor contributes to an oil-change schedule of up to 18,500 miles.

The standard-equipment 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 is rated at 280 horsepower with peak torque of 260 pound-feet. The gasoline engine has dual overhead cams and 24-valves. It's being used in the Ram 1500 pickup and a number of  Dodge and Chrysler sedans and SUVs.