Across the board, manufacturers of cargo and work vans continue to increasingly design, develop and offer features geared specifically to meet the needs of a range of commercial operations and vocations.
For example, safety was a primary focus for 2020 Ford Transit and Transit Connect vans. New are automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, post-collision braking, and a lane-keeping system. Available are adaptive cruise control, a Blind Spot Information System with trailer coverage, an enhanced active park assist system, a side sensing system, front and rear split-view cameras, and an adjustable speed-limiting device.
The 2020 Transit is also available for the first time with an all-wheel-drive system to provide enhanced traction on ice or snow-covered and muddy roads. New for the van is a 3.5-liter PFDI V6 gasoline engine with port fuel and direct injection and a new 10-speed automatic transmission. With 2020 Transit chassis cab and cutaway models, maximum GVWR increases from 10,360 to 11,000 lbs.
The 2020 Ford Transit Connect cargo van, available in two wheelbases, is powered by a 2.0-liter gasoline I-4 engine with standard auto start-stop and an eight-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. Fleets can also opt for a 2.5-liter iVCT I-4 gas engine with a CNG/LPG gaseous fuel prep package and a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission.
At Ram Commercial, 2020 ProMaster 1500, 2500 and 3500 Class 2 full-size vans feature a front-wheel-drive system and are powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. In addition to improving traction in snow and ice, the company said, the FWD design keeps cargo floor and step-in heights low.
New for 2020 on the Ram ProMaster are 136-in. wheelbase versions in 2500 and 3500 standard roof and 3500 high roof models. In addition, there is now a factory-installed trailer hitch with a maximum trailer towing capacity of 6,800 lbs.
Models in the Ram ProMaster lineup include the 1500 low roof in 118- and 136-in. wheelbases and a 136-in. wheelbase high roof model. The ProMaster 2500 is offered with a 136-in. wheelbase in low and high roof versions as well as a high roof variant with a 159-in. wheelbase. For the 3500, the largest model in the 2020 Ram van family, there are 136-in. wheelbase low and high roof, and 159-in. wheelbase high roof and extended body models.
For 2020, Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana cargo vans are available in rear-wheel drive 2500 and 3500 regular and extended models with multiple engine and wheelbase options. Standard on the GM and Chevy vans is a 4.3-liter V6 engine rated 276 hp. @ 5,200 rpm paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Also available is a 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel, a four-cylinder engine rated 181 hp. @ 3,400 rpm. Additionally, fleets can specify a 341 hp./373 lbs.-ft. six-liter engine that is also gaseous CNG/ LPG capable.
Regular length models of the 2020 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana cargo vans have a 135-in. wheelbase while extended versions have a 155-in. wheelbase. Cargo capacity in the two versions is 239.5 and 283.6 cu. ft., respectively. Payload capacity for the 2500 models ranges from 2,640 to 3,280 lbs. and from 3,820 to 4,250 lbs. in the 3500. GVWR for the 2500 is 8,600 lbs. and ranges from 9,600 to 9,900 lbs. in the 3500 models.
The new Sprinter in Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz models is available in 144- and 170-in. wheelbases, five GVW ratings, and two roof heights. Payload capacity in cargo van models ranges from 3,854 to 6,735 lbs.
The new Sprinter features a choice of turbocharged six-cylinder, 3.0-liter diesel and four-cylinder, 2.0-liter gasoline engines. The diesel delivers 188 hp. and 325 lbs.-ft. of torque at 1,400 to 2,400 rpm. It is mated to a seven–speed automatic transmission and can be paired with a 4x4 drivetrain. Standard on the new Sprinter with a gasoline engine is a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Also available in the medium-duty van segment is the Chanje V8100 with 675 cu. ft. of cargo space and up to 6,000 lbs. of payload capacity. The all-electric van has a 13.2 kW onboard charger that supports Level 2 overnight charging and DC fast charging for an 80% charge in a little over an hour. The Chanje V8100 is offered through Ryder, which is the exclusive distribution channel and service provider for the manufacturer.
