Autoblog

Ford shows off commercial version of new Transit Connect

George Kennedy — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Work, Ford, Specialty

We recently showed you the updated Ford Transit Connect Wagon in all its refreshed glory. Well here is the new 2014 Transit Connect (note the lack of "Wagon" in name, for its commercially minded purpose), and it's the small Ford van of choice for your tougher jobs. Ford says this van is ideally suited for small businesses and fleets looking to prioritize fuel economy. Two gasoline-powered four-cylinder engines have been announced, as well as the availability of compressed natural gas-powered mill with the CNG prep package. The base engine is a 2.5-liter DOHC inline-four, while the uprated engine is a 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four. Ford is anticipating 30-plus miles per gallon from the latter. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.

The Transit Connect comes with all of Ford's latest collection of goodies, including an available 6.5-inch touchscreen with Sync and MyFordTouch, as well as Ford's MyKey programable key system. However, the key feature of the Transit Connect is capability, and this van appears to have it in spades, including a max 1,600-pound payload and over 130 cubic feet of cargo space. When properly equipped, it can also tow up to 2,000 pounds.

Ford sees global commercial vehicle sales growing by 4.8 million units next year, and wants to capitalize on that by employing its One Ford program. To that end it will be selling the Transit Connect in 66 international markets, making it a truly global vehicle. If your interest has been piqued by the Transit Connect, feel free to read on to the press release below.

Continue reading Ford shows off commercial version of new Transit Connect

Ford shows off commercial version of new Transit Connect originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford shows off 2014 Transit Connect Wagon, confirms cargo model for Detroit

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, LA Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Work, Ford

On the heels of revealing the all-new 2014 Transit Connect Wagon this morning, Ford officials confirmed to Autoblog that its work-ready cargo counterpart will debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Just like the Wagon, the cargo van will be offered in both short- and long-wheelbase variants and be able to handle payloads up to 1,200 pounds.

During an event held today at the company's Product Review Center in Dearborn, Michigan, Ford's marketing manager of commercial vehicles, Tim Stoehr, explained the strategy behind the new Transit Connect Wagon. Much like how we've seen consumers downsizing to smaller vehicles over the past few years, Ford firmly believes that buyers in the minivan segment are also looking to downsize. Thus, the Transit Connect Wagon is more of a true minivan than just about anything else on the market, and Ford believes the two-wheelbase strategy (with five- and seven-passenger configurations) will make its new van appealing to a wide range of consumers. That said, Stoehr expects the take rate on the two models to be about 80/20 - the majority going with the seven-passenger, long-wheelbase configuration.

The 2014 Transit Connect Wagon will be the least-expensive seven-passenger vehicle in the United States, coming in "thousands less than the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey."

Stoehr did not confirm pricing for either model, but said that the 2014 Transit Connect Wagon will be the least-expensive seven-passenger vehicle in the United States, coming in "thousands less than the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey." The Mazda5, which starts at $20,420 including delivery fees, only seats six.

Looking back to the introduction of Ford's other new people-mover, the C-Max, the automaker was originally scheduled to launch a seven-passenger version, complete with sliding doors and traditional gas powertrains. When asked about why Ford decided to shift this sort of vehicle over to the Transit Connect line, Hau Thai-Tang, Ford's vice president of global engineering for global product development, told Autoblog that the decision was based on the fact that Ford wanted to have one nameplate in its US product portfolio solely dedicated to electrified vehicles. That, and the seven-passenger C-Max (better known as the Grand C-Max) didn't offer nearly as much interior volume as the Transit Connect. To that end, Thai-Tang confirmed that a hybrid version of the Transit Connect is not on the table.

Ford also confirmed that, just like the current-generation Transit Connect, the new model will not be affected by the so-called "chicken tax" that applies to cargo vans built outside of the US. The 2014 Transit Connect will be built in Valencia, Spain.

When Ford launches the 2014 Transit Connect Wagon near the end of 2013, it will be available in the buyer's choice of either a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder or a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four, both coming standard with six-speed automatic transmissions. The 2014 Transit Connect Wagon will officially bow at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month.

Ford shows off 2014 Transit Connect Wagon, confirms cargo model for Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Ford Transit Connect adds form to function [w/video]

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Paris Motor Show, Work, Ford

Much as we like the current Ford Transit Connect, "sexy" is not an adjective we'd use to describe it. And while this new 2014 model appears a bit bulgier in person than the original stock photos led us to believe, it's no doubt a wholly more stylish van than the vehicle it replaces.

Unfortunately, details are slim regarding the new Transit Connect. When it first debuted in Amsterdam, Ford said that its trusty work van would be powered by a range of "highly-efficient downsized diesel and petrol engines," while in the United States, we'll have to live with "a tailored range of gasoline powertrains." Whatever that means.

We've just returned with a full smattering of high-res images live from the Paris Motor Show floor, so check 'em out in the gallery above. Ford's official press blast and a short video are yours for the perusing, below.

Continue reading 2014 Ford Transit Connect adds form to function [w/video]

2014 Ford Transit Connect adds form to function [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford unveils slicker, sleeker 2014 Transit Connect [w/video]

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Work, Ford

Well, hello there. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the next-generation Ford Transit Connect (nevermind that Tourneo Connect front plate in the photo above), making its global debut today at an event in Amsterdam. And don't think this is some one-off Euro example, either. The handsome beast you see here will be making its way to North America toward the end of 2013.

As we first saw in some spy shots earlier this week, the next-generation Transit Connect borrows heavily from the smaller Focus and Fiesta models in terms of design, proudly wearing the automaker's trapezoidal grille. Smaller, sleeker headlamps and more pronounced foglamps finish off what's truly an attractive front end, and new wheel options go a long way to rid the TC of its all-work-and-no-play image. Around back, slimmer taillamps have been fitted, and as we can see here, the little van's barn doors have been ditched in favor of a more traditional liftgate. (No word on if Ford will still offer the two-door setup.)

Mum's the word on powertrain details, though Ford's brief press release states that Europe will receive "highly-efficient downsized diesel and petrol engines," while here in the United States, we'll make due with "a tailored range of gasoline powertrains."

European deliveries of the 2014 Transit Connect are scheduled to start at the end of 2013, and U.S.-spec cars should arrive shortly thereafter. Hit the jump for Ford's official press blast.

Continue reading Ford unveils slicker, sleeker 2014 Transit Connect [w/video]

Ford unveils slicker, sleeker 2014 Transit Connect [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Transit Connect makes a Fiesta face

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:22:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivan/Van, Work, Ford

Since it has made its way to American shores, the Ford Transit Connect has proven to be nearly everything that one could ask for in a small commercial van: utile, frugal and easy to drive in tight quarters. What the van has never been accused of being, however, is particularly pretty. And, while we can't confirm with unerring certainty that the upcoming revision of the TC will be a looker, we do see evidence of a little more form to go with all of that function.

This new set of spy shots indicates that the Transit Connect will borrow liberally from the front end of the Fiesta, with headlights and grille both mimicking that fetching small car. Around back you'd be hard pressed not to notice the thinner, longer rear lighting elements, which appear both sleek and modern even in this heavily cladded context.

The Ford prototype in question makes use of a one-piece tailgate that is hinged on the roof, though we'd expect that the side-hinged double rear doors of the current model will still be available.

Expectations are that the new Transit Connect will arrive in North America and Europe as a 2014 model, sometime in the second half of next year. Small business owners everywhere, rejoice.

Ford Transit Connect makes a Fiesta face originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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