Filed under: Car Buying, Chicago Auto Show, Trucks/Pickups, Commercial Trucks, Ford
Chicago '08 Preview: Ford Transit Connect rumored to arrive
by Jonathon Ramsey on Jan 23rd 2008 at 1:55PM 
click above for more high-res images of the Ford Transit Connect
We reported last January that the European Ford Transit Connect would be coming to the U.S., and now we've learned that the Euro van is expected to join the assemblage of debuts at this year's Chicago Auto Show. Speculation is that the front-wheel-drive mini-ish vans will hit showrooms as a 2009 model and come with a 4-cylinder engine. It is also said to have seating for five, but meant to compete with another, larger European transplant, the Dodge Sprinter. Since Ford hasn't even acknowledged that the vehicle will be at Chicago, it hasn't issued a price, but MSRP for the Sprinter Van is $32,150 and the Sprinter Wagon goes for $34,350. If nothing else, we're happy to see Ford's European migration this way continuing, and there's even a Transit Connect SportVan! Now if we could work on some of those passenger car offerings...
[Source: The Car Connection]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
pmiddle5 2:00PM (1/23/2008)
Hidious...Bring the diesel here and I'll buy it. Especially if I can fit my gokart in it. FWD I assume?
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Monte 2:48PM (1/23/2008)
I was thinking the same thing; it needs a diesel. Though it might do well with one of those direct injected turbo gas engines Ford has been talking about. I wonder if you could stand motorcycle up in the back of one of those... hmmmm.
tanooki2003 2:15PM (1/23/2008)
Ok good this is a start, however as from what Ford should know most people are a little nauseated by the Fusion razor bar grille on the current vehicles. if this Transit came over here with that look it may not sell well due to the tired grille.
If Ford is really going to bring the Transit here then they should build the front end to look like the Transit in Australia. http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1137385394668&pagename=Page&c=DFYPage
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phoenexius 2:26PM (1/23/2008)
this article mentions the Transit Connect (little brother of the Transit)
I must say that the Transit competes with the Sprinter everywhere else in the world. Would be strange to bring the Transit Connect - with little to no proven market (okay sorry the HHR panel does not define a proven market)
and if they are trying to compete with HHR and PT Cruiser they are idiots
I think Ford is just trying to tick us off with another variant of the 'original' Focus platform
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Transit_Connect
MemphisNET 1:11AM (1/24/2008)
I doubt its for the HHR/PT Cruiser crowd. I see this more as local-gov and small business work.
Michael Adams 2:24PM (1/23/2008)
I had the chance to drive a Transit in Australia two years ago, and we had it done out in the Airport Shuttle trim (could fit 10 passengers) Though the size (and cargo) were big, and I was terrible with the stick (that left side shift was difficult for me to master) that little diesel was greatly capable for city driving around Adelaide. I hope they bring it here.
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Cornholio 2:49PM (1/23/2008)
Agree - I flogged one of these Ford Transit 10-passenger vans around Switzerland for two weeks a few years back. We had it loaded up with 10 people and gear, and that turbo four and manual trans pulled us around with ease. It would cruise at 85+ on the Swiss highway network without feeling strained or unstable. The best part was it got great fuel economy as well. Overall, it was impressive for what it was, and a hell of a lot more fun to drive than one of the domestic full-size vans.
Would I buy one? Well, no, but I don't run a shuttle service, either. I certainly think they would work just fine in this capacity here in the States.
Rick 2:32PM (1/23/2008)
$34,000 for that?! Or is that euro pricing? I can think of a ton more choices for that type of coinage.
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B-NOIT 3:45PM (1/23/2008)
34 000 for the Sprinter, not this. This is smaller, and will surely be cheaper.
The UnRanger 12:14AM (1/26/2008)
I saw pricing in another article for the Connect putting it around $12000 - $16000. Just perfect for estimating, contactor use. The high roof version has 56" back door vertical opening.
This is powered in Europe by a 1.8 l turbo diesel, leave it that way!
Driver X 2:34PM (1/23/2008)
I guess GM will intro something in this class in 5 or 10 years. After everyone else sells a million.
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calebe 2:36PM (1/23/2008)
interesting. it kind of looks like a Fusion that has had the roof jacked up. I like the panel van.
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Adam 2:38PM (1/23/2008)
We all have to go buy one so that Ford sees Americans are willing to buy Euro Fords.
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Polly Prissy Pants 2:49PM (1/23/2008)
Good job bringing over one of your Euro offerings, too bad it's the wrong one.
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MemphisNET 2:53PM (1/23/2008)
I can see this being an excellent choice for local-governments and small business'. Animal control, parking/traffic enforcement, security, hell - here's a good option for a airport taxi service.
The price could play an important role. How big is this thing anyway? It's compared to the Sprinter in the post (a pretty sizable truck) yet someone mentioned a Transit (non-connect).
I'm not familiar with either so if some of our Euro friends could elaborate?
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Colin Smith 3:18PM (1/23/2008)
I've skimmed these posts: and this isn't a Transit. Its a transit Connect - not related at all. This is a small vanny thing, like the Fiat Doblo, Citroen Berlingo and Renault Kangoo. Five seats. Yes, I know, you don't know what these other European vans are either, but rest assured, the real Transit is a big (US small) van which has various capacities and configurations - none of which is related to the Connect. The connect is a small van with four doors and windows and is built on its own chassis, with front wheel drive and a dead rear axle, and very roomy and sensible it is too, although arguably not as good as the other cars I have mentioned, except possibly the Kangoo, which is smaller. Oh, and nobody buys any version other than the Diesel. I hope this helps. My taxi driver in Cyprus has a few and they are just fine, solid, comfy and roomy, if a little rattly as the Ford Diesels are not quite state of the art like those of the French and Italians...
I'm biased because I have a Doblo...;)
MemphisNET 1:15AM (1/24/2008)
This is interesting. Are these micro-vans only used for services? Or do they find their way into the family lane as well. I've always thought these would make great cars for Taxi's.
tanooki2003 3:07PM (1/23/2008)
Also I forgot to mention if Ford is really serious about improving their image they need to realize that they have no choice but to bring in Euro models to the NA market. The current American designs are all horrible (mustang and F150 excluded) and are in need of a serious update to compete with everyone else and become a big player once again.
I have no doubt that their vehicles are the most durable of all domestics but they failed in the past to realize that great looks count for a good part of their sales.
Seriously Ford please no more rebadging and softening Mazda and Volvo models in the future. That is seriously a dull and brainless escape tactic to save money. Instead do NA a favor, be a little risky, and give the public what they want. Just tap into your Euro and Australian connections and bring them all here without any ugly beating of the American stick (redesigning them to look boring and dull like the Taurus/500), even if it's 1 vehicle at a time because the next Ford I decide to purchase will be imported from Mexico, not from here or Canada.
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HyperLemon 3:10PM (1/23/2008)
The car pictured here is on it's own platform, smaller than the Transit. There are two versions in Europe, the Transit Connect and the Tourneo Connect, the Transit is the one without windows in the back, the latter is more of a family car. Just check the Ford UK page for more info. So you can not compare the regular Transit to this one at all. For size it'd be more comparable to a Focus Station Wagon with a high roof.
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Jackie B. 3:20PM (1/23/2008)
Ford, call it what you like....Just don't call it a Taurus!!!!
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