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Official: 2014 Ford Transit Connect

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Old 11-13-12, 12:16 PM
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Default Official: 2014 Ford Transit Connect

2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon brings minivans back to the Blue Oval



Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-...photo-5429851/

It's been a minute since there was a minivan in Ford showrooms, but that's about to change. The automaker has unveiled its 2014 Transit Connect Wagon built for families looking for a more functional alternative to the world's ever-growing fleet of SUVs and crossovers. Powered by either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder or an EcoBoost 1.6-liter four pot, the front-drive Transit Connect Wagon may be had in one of two wheelbase configurations. That means there are both five and seven-seat variants, and both will offer fold-flat seating for more than 100 cubic feet of cargo area. In addition, Ford says its commercial-van-turned-people-mover can be configured to tow up to 2,000 pounds.

The EPA has yet to release fuel economy estimates for the 2014 Transit Connect Wagon, but Ford believes the vehicle will return better than 30 mpg highway when equipped with its EcoBoost engine. Both powerplants are bolted to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Ford currently sells about 35,000 Transit Connect units per year, and the new Wagon variant should bolster that figure by expanding the vehicle to family-minded.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/2...k-to-the-blue/
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Old 11-13-12, 12:18 PM
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Default Ford shows off 2014 Transit Connect Wagon, confirms cargo model for Detroit

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



Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-...photo-5430910/

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.

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," as well as the Chrysler minivans. 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.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/f...s-cargo-model/
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Old 11-13-12, 12:19 PM
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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," as well as the Chrysler minivans.
Sounds good to me. Way to look past the Windstar and Freestar days. On to bigger and better things Blue Oval
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Old 11-13-12, 04:35 PM
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It's like the perfect small work van.

Perfect "dad bought me a small van for my band."
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Old 12-14-12, 05:24 PM
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Default Ford shows off commercial version of new Transit Connect

Ford shows off commercial version of new Transit Connect



Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-...photo-5501305/

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2014-...photo-5501456/

Next-Generation Ford Transit Connect Breaks New Ground in Commercial Van Fuel Efficiency with 30+ MPG

-Ford brings an all-new compact Transit Connect commercial van to market, ideally suited to small business owners and fleets placing high value on fuel efficiency

-Transit Connect Van is expected to deliver at least 5 mpg better fuel economy on the highway than Ram C/V Cargo Van while carrying more payload than a full-size Ram 1500 pickup truck

-Anticipating up to 30+ mpg on the highway with EcoBoost® power, Transit Connect Van offers customers their choice of two fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines, two wheelbase lengths, two model series and an available CNG/LPG prep package

-Transit Connect Van takes versatility to a new level with convenient sliding side doors, side-hinged rear cargo doors, a choice of side and rear window configurations, and an estimated 1,600-pound payload

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 14, 2012 – With global commercial vehicle sales expected to jump significantly during the next several years, Ford's all-new 2014 Transit Connect cargo van is set to provide cost-conscious commercial fleets and small business owners with unmatched fuel economy and versatility in an expanding commercial vehicle market.

Redesigned from the ground up, Ford Transit Connect cargo van drives and parks like a car, hauls more payload than a full-size Ram 1500 pickup, and delivers fuel efficiency unmatched by any other commercial vehicle in North America today – 30+ mpg on the highway.

"We have completely reengineered Transit Connect with North American business owners top of mind," said Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president of The Americas. "This all-new cargo hauler offers entrepreneurs and fleet owners a unique combination of leading fuel efficiency, cargo capacity and maneuverability."

With global commercial vehicle sales expected to grow by 4.8 million during the next several years to 21 million units annually by 2017, Transit Connect represents a major opportunity. Ford is the second-largest commercial brand in the world and best-selling commercial vehicle brand in North America. The company is leveraging its One Ford product strategy to meet the growing needs of Transit Connect customers in 66 global markets with vans that are Built Ford Tough and even more fuel efficient and capable and with greater choice of bodystyles.

Transit Connect joins the most fuel-efficient lineup in Ford Motor Company's history. Next year, Ford will offer eight vehicles rated at 40 mpg or higher – double 2011's total, and more than any other automaker. Ford tops Toyota in fuel economy in every segment in which both companies compete.

Transit Connect will be joined by the all-new 2014 Ford Transit full-size van, which will provide professional tradesmen and commercial fleet customers with a diverse array of bodystyles and configurations tailored to their work needs, unmatched fuel economy and low cost of operation.

To meet the needs of North American customers, Transit Connect Van is offered in two wheelbase lengths, in XL and XLT series levels, and with up to a 1,600-pound payload and more than 130 cubic feet of cargo space.

For the first time, this versatile compact van is also approved to tow up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Power of choice
Transit Connect Van offers North American customers a choice between two fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines – a standard 2.5-liter and an optional 1.6-liter EcoBoost® estimated to deliver 30+ mpg on the highway.

These powertrain alternatives make Transit Connect Van the gas mileage leader among commercial cargo haulers.

Transit Connect's 2.5-liter engine can also be specified with a compressed natural gas/liquid propane gas (CNG/LPG) preparation package, enabling convenient conversion by Ford-certified upfit specialists.

Both engines come mated to an efficient six-speed automatic transmission, geared for around-town responsiveness and low-rpm highway cruising.

Transit Connect Van offers unexpected features in a high-value package, combined with low operating costs.

This stylish, contemporary cargo van is available with or without second-row seating, and offers useful options like rear view camera, 6.5-inch touch screen display with navigation, and SYNC® with MyFord Touch® – Ford's highly acclaimed voice-activated mobile communications and entertainment system.

Transit Connect is a One Ford global design delivering substantial capability on a compact overall footprint with urban-friendly maneuverability. It is ideal for small business proprietors and fleets aiming to right-size vehicles to specific duties.

Commercial-strength DNA
The Transit Connect work ethic is reflected in this clever van's cargo carrying and payload capabilities, and its high-strength body engineered to rigorous global commercial vehicle durability standards.

The all-new Transit Connect Van builds on the foundation of reliability and durability established by the current Transit Connect compact van. Introduced in North America in 2009, Transit Connect has become the must-have vehicle for small business proprietors and fleets.

Transit Connect was recognized as an innovative "white space" vehicle – literally carving out a new category in the market – by the automotive industry press corps when it was named North American Truck of the Year in January 2010 at the North American International Auto Show. Now selling at a pace of 35,000 units per year, Transit Connect has also become a favorite of taxi operators in major urban areas such as Los Angeles and New York City. Tradesmen and fleet administrators alike find its combination of car-like maneuverability, ease of handling and cargo capacity just right for many tasks.

All Transit Connect Van models feature first-row frontal and side airbags, first-row side curtain airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Ford's award-winning MyKey® programmable ignition key, enabling owners and fleet administrators to restrict maximum vehicle speed and audio system volume, is standard.

Multiple vehicle fleets can specify Transit Connect with the available Ford Work Solutions™ Crew Chief™ telematics system, powered by Telogis®. This system enables a centralized fleet logistics leader to simultaneously monitor several vehicles in real time – for location, speed and excess idle time – thus improving productivity and efficiency.

Look for Transit Connect Van to begin arriving in dealerships in North America late next year.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/14/f...ansit-connect/
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