Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Euro, Ford
Production Ford Transit Connect SportVan debuts
Click above for the high-res photo
The current Crown Victoria wears many hats here in the States, as it is the transportation of choice for taxis, police, mob hitmen and senior citizens. With the eventual phasing out of North America's last body-on-frame car platform comes the Transit Connect, which is already on sale overseas and ready for multitasking on our shores. We've already seen a Transit ready for taxi duty, catering, and cable installation, and now the Blue Oval is pushing the busy little work van into the performance market.
Ford of Europe has announced the Transit Connect SportVan, which comes fully equipped with Performance Blue paint, Ford GT-style racing stripe, and seven-spoke 18-inch rims. Power comes from a 1.8L Duratorq TDCi diesel, which likely won't set the streets ablaze, but Ford provides some sporty features to make the working man's Mini Cooper feel fast. Some features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, high quality leather seats with eight-way seat adjustment, ABS, traction control, and some bright-work for the dash. In the past, such news would mean little to us here in the States, but since the Transit Connect is headed our way, there is a chance we could one day see a SportVan on Woodward or Hollywood Blvd. Hit the jump to read the press release.
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
FORD TRANSIT CONNECT SPORTVAN DEBUTS AT CV SHOW
* Stylish new Transit Connect SportVan is now a production reality
* Available in Performance Blue with white bonnet stripes
* Powered by the acclaimed 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi 110 PS engine
* On sale from September 2008
* Prices announced nearer the on sale date
Birmingham, 15 April, 2008 – The new Ford Transit Connect SportVan production model makes its global debut today at the Commercial Vehicle Show, at the NEC, Birmingham.
Steve Kimber, commercial vehicles director, Ford of Britain, said: "The reaction to the Connect Sport concept shown at last year's Show, left us in no doubt that there is a demand for a production version. Just 300 models will be available when they go on sale this summer and we anticipate the same interest as we got for its big brother Transit SportVan.
"Transit Connect SportVan is all about style. Our customers want to stand out from the crowd in a vehicle that keeps their business moving," he added.
The Transit Connect Sport has an array of additional exterior and interior styling features over and above the established Transit Connect, including: full body coloured bumpers, a bright chrome grille and side skirts, front and rear sports skid plates, body coloured roof spoiler, silver door mirror housings and exhaust finisher complete the look. Wheel arch liners and bodyside mouldings offer protection from minor knocks and dirt accumulation.
Exterior colour is Performance Blue with bold Ford GT-style white stripes and 18-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels complete the sporty exterior styling features.
Inside is just as sporty with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, a silver surround to the centre stack and Transit Tourneo-style air vents. High quality leather seats with eight-way seat adjustment, ABS with anti-spin, traction control and park distance control, air conditioning, power windows and mirrors and a side loading door. High levels of audio equipment are included; a six-CD changer, Bluetooth® and remote stalk operation. A full bulkhead prevents any cargo movement and is partly glazed.
Like all Transit Connect models the cabin is ergonomically and practically designed, with overhead full width storage and an overhead centre console. Recognising the high security needed for goods often carried in the Transit Connect, the vehicle is equipped with a full bulkhead, remote double locking and a perimeter alarm as standard features.
The provision of a rear floor mat helps retain the high level of finish to the floor and is designed to prevent any cargo from slipping. In terms of safety, front and side airbags are standard Front fog lamps are also standard as is the heated windscreen with Ford's Quickclear technology.
Equipped to provide performance and efficiency
The Transit Connect Sport is based on the SWB 220 van and is fitted with the acclaimed 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi engine. Delivering 110 PS, this engine is the most powerful of the three available to Transit Connect customers, delivering
250 Nm of torque.
The Transit Connect range is now available with c-DPF (coated Diesel Particulate Filter.) It is available as an option on two of the three power outputs of the 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi – the 110 PS and 90 PS. Compliant with Euro Stage IV regulations, the c-DPF is of a design that re-generates itself. If normal driving conditions are attained, there is no need for special servicing or individual attention to be given to the c-DPF.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Fabri91 11:37AM (4/15/2008)
Well, if they did one with the 2.0 Turbo from the first Focus RS (like they did, but it was a single one), THAT would be some sort os sport van, if that's possible.
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Randy 7:43PM (4/15/2008)
The only way to make this into a sport truck is to...
What was I saying?
Dude 11:40AM (4/15/2008)
OK, that's just plain silly. It's a van!
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Menice 11:41AM (4/15/2008)
wow thats a styling ride....those racing stripes are soo cool.
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Victor 11:54AM (4/15/2008)
The stripes are known to give a good 10-15 more bhp
Farris 12:08PM (4/15/2008)
Victor, that's 10 - 15 bhp PER STRIPE!
I looked it up!
MUSASHI66 12:30PM (4/15/2008)
These are the low HP stripes, as they don't go over the roof...
Kaptain75329 11:42AM (4/15/2008)
This company has split personality disorder. Ford tries to please all by offending none, and that's offensive. A "SportVan"? Please. How do the people that build the Mustang come up with something like this?
That the Focus and Crown Vic lasted this long is a testament to how out of touch Ford is. This thing only makes that justifiable perception worse.
I really hope Ford wakes up - they make it so needlessly difficult to admire them.
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Infinihertz 2:19PM (4/15/2008)
Oh, that's easy. It's not the same people. I'm not aware of Ford of Europe designing Mustangs. And Ford North America didn't design this van either. While the Transit Connect will come here sometime soonish, this SportVan might not anyway. If Europeans like it and buy it, who cares?
Kaptain75329 10:17AM (4/16/2008)
So be it - no accounting for taste.
rouse42 11:44AM (4/15/2008)
its supposed to be black with a red strip up the side to a red wing.
"I Pitty the fool, who painted my van this color!"
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NOreasonY 11:47AM (4/15/2008)
I was skeptical about them bringing this car over here but it makes sense to with all the markets it could fit into like they stated and hell if the people buy the element...im sure they might consider this as well..
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Paul P. 11:57AM (4/15/2008)
"The New Ford Transit Connect SportVan: Making boring deliveries and taxi rides a little bit more fun."
Seriously though, I can't believe Europe gets a "SportVan" and we can't even get a sporty version of the Fusion over here. We do get plenty of Mustangs though. :-(
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why not the LS2LS7? 12:20PM (4/15/2008)
How silly. Instead of trying to make it look like a GT40, they should have tried to make it look like the A-Team van.
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vtec 12:25PM (4/15/2008)
Finally, a Ford product I would be willing to be caught dead in - assuming there is room in the back for a casket. Seriously, though, what are they thinking? Better yet, what drugs are they taking? Why do any of us care? Just funnin'............
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Nicko 12:28PM (4/15/2008)
If my roadrace bike fits in the back I want one, not too thrilled about the front wheels being driven though :(
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Seoultrain 12:34PM (4/15/2008)
Surely this one could lap the 'Ring in under 10 minutes.
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tio 12:56PM (4/15/2008)
I like it.
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tanooki2003 12:57PM (4/15/2008)
Ford stop being a bunch of blindsided bats and do this right. if this is going to be in the mainstream then for God's sake bring over the Duratorq 4 banger diesel engine lineup to power the Transit Connect.
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David(Postal) 1:34PM (4/15/2008)
Rolling up in one of these will make you one of the coolest dads around!
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