Commercial Appeal: Ford Transit Connect gets higher-than-expected EPA rating of 22/25
Click above for high-res gallery of the Ford Transit Connect
Ford is making an interesting habit of giving low-ball estimates regarding the mileage of their new vehicles, only to later announce final EPA numbers that are higher by several miles per gallon. This happened with the Fusion Hybrid which was estimated at 39 miles-per-gallon city and then ended up at 41 mpg city. The latest example is the new Transit Connect compact van. When Ford announced the US bound production version just before the Chicago Auto Show, product development boss Derrick Kuzak estimated it would get 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. The EPA has now finished its data analysis and come up with even better numbers: 22 mpg around town and 25 mpg on the motorways. Not too shabby for a vehicle with this much room inside and only a four speed automatic transmission.
Gallery: 2010 Ford Transit Connect
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
FORD'S TRANSIT CONNECT BRINGS 22 CITY, 25 HIGHWAY MPG TO MARKET-LEADING COMMERCIAL TRUCK LINEUP
* Transit Connect is rated at 22 city, 25 highway EPA miles per gallon, goes on sale in the U.S. this summer, starting at $21,475, including destination
* Ford fills an unmet U.S. commercial business need with new Transit Connect, an industry-exclusive vehicle specifically developed to be a smart new choice for small business owners
* Low operating and ownership costs, 135 cubic feet of cargo space and a 1,600 pound payload make Transit Connect a smart solution
Dearborn, Mich., Feb. 24, 2009 – Ford today confirmed EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Ford Transit Connect at 22 miles per gallon in city driving and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.
"No other vehicle on the road in the U.S. today delivers the combination of fuel economy and useful space as the Ford Transit Connect," said Chief Nameplate Engineer, Rob Stevens. "It's a unique package, offering a 1,600 pound payload, 135 cubic feet of cargo space and superior fuel economy."
To deliver a more fuel efficient commercial vehicle, Ford is tapping its global portfolio of products to meet the unique needs of American small business owners with the 2010 Transit Connect. It represents a spacious new alternative to larger commercial vehicles and is ideal for navigating congested cities.
Transit Connect arrives with a global reputation for durability and toughness dating back to its 2003 launch, when an expert jury of European commercial vehicle journalists named it International Van of the Year.
Transit Connect: It's Durable
Ford Transit Connect is a purpose-built commercial vehicle, built on a dedicated commercial vehicle platform in an exclusive commercial vehicle production facility. It is designed, engineered and manufactured by Ford of Europe to beat tough, light commercial vehicle durability standards.
The Transit Connect is powered by a proven Duratec 2.0-liter DOHC I-4 engine, featuring four valves per cylinder and an aluminum block and head. Sequential multiport electronic fuel injection provides precise fuel metering for smooth and economical performance. This engine, delivering an estimated 136 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 128 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4,750 rpm, has proven American market durability.
This efficient engine is mated to a four-speed automatic transaxle with overdrive. A final-drive ratio of 4.20 to 1 is specified to give Transit Connect pulling power for the long haul and fifteen-inch steel wheels with P205/65R-15 black sidewall tires put it in contact with the road.
The Transit Connect was developed at the outset to be durable, with a boron steel front crossmember, a high-strength steel reinforced body shell, twin- side cross members and side-impact protection. Several areas of the body structure are double-skinned for additional strength, increasing resistance to the minor scrapes inherent to urban delivery situations.
"Transit Connect will be a useful small business tool," said Chief Engineer Stevens. "It drives like a car, works like a van and is engineered to be as tough as a truck."
For More Information
Click Here for the complete 2010 Transit Connect Overview
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's wholly owned automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Matt 1:36PM (2/24/2009)
2.0 4-cylinder for that huge (and ugly) thing?
Does it come with a free, slow moving vehicle triangle?
Way to go Ford. You built a minivan that gets V6 minivan mileage with a 4-cylinder.
Reply
Swede 1:40PM (2/24/2009)
Which V6 van are you talking about exactly?
fixitfixitstop 1:43PM (2/24/2009)
Matt, have you seen one of these in person? Do you have any what idea what they are used for? I don't think you do.
cvpi267 1:46PM (2/24/2009)
This van is designed for urban areas, so speed isn't really a factor. The more important factor is its much smaller size compared to the Econoline so it can get in and out of smaller spaces. However, with that said the mileage is not very impressive. It should have been offered with a small diesel so it could get mileage of 30 mpg or more. With the globalization of Ford products I think it is time for Ford to start using the European diesels here in the US.
That One Person 1:51PM (2/24/2009)
The highway mileage is minivan like but I have a feeling that has to do with the brick-ish aerodynamics and the four speed auto.
The city mileage isn't that bad. It's on par with some other four banger models out there.
Not too shabby.
jav 1:49PM (2/24/2009)
@MATT obviously you hate ford, becausde youre just spouting off nonsense.. there is no V6 version of this thing...... thats ok.....whatever...... im sure if this thing had the same look and specs as an Audi,bmw,toyota,honda you will be all excited about it!
actually i drove one of these things, quality is really good...
Paul P. 1:52PM (2/24/2009)
What V6 mini-van do you know of that gets 22mpg city? The Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Town and Country, Honda Odyssey all get around 16/17 city.
henrykrinkle 2:10PM (2/24/2009)
Pay no attention to this troll.
TheRealRichInSD 2:12PM (2/24/2009)
You need professional help. Look at your posts. They're almost exclusively about Ford.
And all this because you think they shafted you on an intake manifold bill (probably after you rodded the heck out of your ex-cop car--thus violating the terms of the extended warranty).
Folks, this guy was indeed known as P71_CrownVic over at BOF. He was indeed banned by myself, the site owner, and another mod.
He then proceeded to sign up under a false account, used an IP disguising proxy service, and continued to post there.
He also tried to hack my account, and stole the nickname of one of the other mods that banned him and used it at the GMI forums.
---
BTW: The city numbers for the Transit Connect are pretty good, but I'm concerned about reliability (the thing's being imported from Turkey)---and I'm generally curious about how long it will be before we see the updates which will include a much better powertrain (better 4-cyl + 6-speed auto)
The Luigiian 2:41PM (2/24/2009)
If V6 minivans got 22 mpg in the city and 25 in the highway, the Dodge Caravan would be the top-selling vehicle in the U.S.
This is a damn good work vehicle, and I think if they built a pickup version out of one of these they'd have an incredibly good Ranger replacement. 1600 pound payload? Seriously?
Matt 3:18PM (2/24/2009)
HAHAHA!!!
You Ford fan boys are hysterical...
..and completely blind to Ford's overall "hanging on by a very small thread" state.
Matt 3:24PM (2/24/2009)
Oh, and "realrichinSd" or whatever...
Nice fairy tail...but you don't have the first clue as to who I am...but it is interesting that a person in the internet could bother you so much, that you would feel compelled to post...just for the simple goal of spreading a false story.
You sir, are the real person with issues. Get your Lithium prescription refilled.
C.W. 4:11PM (2/24/2009)
hahaha.
matt said 'in the internet'... haha...
what a dummy.
pheer6224 7:55PM (2/24/2009)
No, it's a tribute to the Nissan Stanza Wagon/Multi/Prairie.
jcar302 10:44PM (2/24/2009)
Matt, you are obviously a ford hater, which is ok.
Just pick on other things, like the mustang not having enough hp, or the f150 not hitting .98 g's on the skidpad.
No reason for you to post your hate about the transit connect. It wasn't meant to break speed records or even be a minivan, it's meant to get people from place to place in city areas. If you have ever been in new york city or phili, you'd realize hp doesn't mean a thing, especially if you are cab company. By the time your foot has hit the floor if you are laying the hammer down, you already have rear ended someone.
So if the TC is comfortable for passengers (which i'll assume it is with the high roof) and get's good gas mileage, it's hit it's mark.
You don't have to like ford to appreciate a good idea.
John 8:02PM (2/25/2009)
Matt,
Take a look at the votes on all of your posts and those of the people calling you a Ahole. Everyone gives you a negative vote, not because we love Ford, but because we despise you. Go away!
BoneHeadOtto 1:44PM (2/24/2009)
Curious how big this vehicle is. Curious because a Mazda5 manual gets 22/28. Why not just get that and take the seats out. They look to be roughly the same size.
But these vans would seriously benefit from hybrid tech since most of their mileage is city.
Reply
adam 2:12PM (2/24/2009)
the reason a company would want this over a mazda 5 is durability. a mazda 5 is not meant to be a work vehicle. theres is a reason the transit connect has leaf springs in the back, its to increase payload and durability.
skicat 2:16PM (2/24/2009)
Sorry Otto -
Mazda sez the Mazda5 has 44 cu.ft. max cargo volume with 2nd + 3rd-row seats folded. Even if you remove the seats, what do u get? 15 more cu.ft.?
Transit Connect offers 135+ cu.ft. in 2-seat Van and 78 cu.ft. in 5-seat Wagon. It's max payload is 1,600 lbs. Put that in a Mazda5 and you'd pop the tires.
Also, this vehicle has been built to commercial standards. It is designed to stand up to daily duty in commercial use.
letstakeawalk 2:19PM (2/24/2009)
I'm not sure that the seats can be taken out of the Mazda5 - they only are mentioned as "folding down".
The Mazda5 has approx. 44 cu. feet of storage and can carry a maximum of 1191lbs. whereas the Transit has 130cu. feet and can carry 1600 lbs.
They're not anywhere near the same size, capacity-wise