You've been asking Ford to do it for years. Yes, bring over all those cool European models and they'll fly off the lots.
Well, Ford was listening, so here you go. Straight from Kocaeli, Turkey, it's the 2010 Ford Transit Connect, a compact commercial van that's just too cool to be called Econoline.
Powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Duratec engine and mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, the Transit Connect is built on a front-wheel-drive commercial vehicle platform. With only 136 hp and 128 pound-feet of torque, the Transit Connect should handle light-duty hauling chores while providing solid fuel economy. Ford says the final EPA numbers should come in around 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
Businesses will be able to order the Transit Connect as a panel van or with side windows and a rear bench seat. Maximum cargo capacity is 135 cubic feet and the maximum payload is 1,600 pounds. Sales are expected to begin this summer with a base price of $21,475, including destination.
rsholland says:
06:17 AM, 02/ 9/09
I saw this at the Philly car show last week. It's a pretty neat little truck. I hope Ford will bring over the larger Transit vans as well, to replace the aging Econoline models.
dougtheeng says:
06:42 AM, 02/ 9/09
I hope that people buy the Ford-Europe cars, so that we can keep getting the good models. Something tells me thats not going to happen though.....we all want the Mondeo, but no one will pay for it. Same deal with the Fiesta, unless it comes in at a low low price.
roar02ram says:
10:11 AM, 02/ 9/09
A four-banger with a four-speed auto, though?
Lame.
The thing needs a diesel. Duh.
firstwagon says:
11:05 AM, 02/ 9/09
I would like to see a diesel too but the 2.3 and 4 speed would be fine. It's just a light duty delivery truck.
Priced right it could replace millions of aging Safari and Astro cargo vans that are the mainstay of the light duty market now.
eriches says:
03:55 PM, 02/ 9/09
Who knows about diesel, but the Transit will be the basis for Ford's first U.S.-market electric car, the 2010 Ford Transit EV -- http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2009/02/ford-to-launch-electric-cargo-van-in-us-next-year-with-electric-car-in-2011.html. -ER
eriches says:
03:57 PM, 02/ 9/09
Or, rather, the 2011 Transit EV...
altimadude00 says:
05:14 PM, 02/ 9/09
A diesel? I don't think so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2e8vlRWwvg&annotation_id=annotation_79822&feature=iv
altimadude00 says:
05:14 PM, 02/ 9/09
A diesel? I don't think so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2e8vlRWwvg&annotation_id=annotation_79822&feature=iv
firstwagon says:
08:30 PM, 02/ 9/09
LOL .... diesels have changed a lot since that van was built.
smokeonit says:
07:50 AM, 02/17/09
the problem is that there's no automatic tranny for the transit connect diesel!
even though the diesel is a perfect match for an automatic tranny there's none available in the EU!!! only the gas engine is offered with one... huge bummer, especially for people that are handicapped and need to order the automatic... most of the time only the most expensive trim/engine combination is available with auto tranny and even the handicapped discount doesn't make up for that difference in price...
smokeonit says:
07:51 AM, 02/17/09
the connect will make an awesome camping vehicle! ;-)
transitvans says:
10:02 PM, 08/15/09
Hello. It looks great in those pics. The interior seems substantially upgraded, with the new leather-trimmed door panels, and I like how the seats have more lateral support. The stitching on the steering wheel is nice, too. Thanks for the information and have a nice day! :)
transitvans.info