I couldn't find the thread for this, but basically, Ford has several new Transit models that actually aren't the same (I thought they were)
The Largest Transit will replace the Econoline in the USA.
(http://www.vanlocator.co.uk/van-sales/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/New-Transit-Large-2013small.jpg)
The Transit/Tourneo Custom is a FWD van that replaces the FWD Variant of the old Transit.
(http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17jwd6a76eu2hjpg/xlarge.jpg)
The Transit/Trourneo Connect is a compact FWD van that obviously replaces the current Connect. As of today, it comes in a LWB 7-passenger version, too.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/2014-ford-transit-connect-wagon-brings-minivans-back-to-the-blue/
(http://stwot.motortrend.com/files/2012/09/2013-Ford-Transit-Connect-van-front-three-quarters-view-1024x640.jpg)
(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/2014-ford-tranist-connect-wagon-6278.jpg)
(US Spec, LWB)
(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/AM2_album/2014_Transit_Connect_frontquarter2.jpg)
Then there's the Transit/Trurneo Courier, a Fiesta-based small Van....I thought it was the same as the one above, but it's actually totally different.
(http://www.leblogauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Ford-Transit-Courier.jpg)
They're actually pretty cool. Will all of these make it to NA?
Quote from: Rockraven on November 13, 2012, 09:48:34 AM
They're actually pretty cool. Will all of these make it to NA?
Just the Connect and the top most Transit.
Pity. I like the Transit/Tourneo Custom best. It would make a great conversion van for travelling.
Is the huge Transit still RWD?
They look pretty sharp.
Hopefully, the new Transit outclasses the old one by a factor of about 50.
Quote from: thecarnut on November 13, 2012, 09:54:13 AM
Is the huge Transit still RWD?
Of course. Carpenters and painters need a car that can haul their stuff around and do drifts on the track on weekends.
Quote from: cawimmer430 on November 26, 2012, 07:01:53 PM
Of course. Carpenters and painters need a car that can haul their stuff around and do drifts on the track on weekends.
How many times do we have to tell you to stop making this tired joke?
Quote from: 2o6 on November 26, 2012, 07:24:48 PM
How many times do we have to tell you to stop making this tired joke?
There was no V6 Camry or '74 Dodge Monaco anywhere in that sentence!
The front grille design sucks big time. It makes them look as cheap rebadge of something else
By the way, if you've ever been to the N?rburgring you'd see that there are indeed handymen who drive on the track with their vans. I've seen Mercedes Sprinters, Ford Transits and Fiat Ducatos being joydriven on the 'Ring by handymen!
Drove a Ford Transit 12pax with tall ceiling back in 2002-ish.
From Mannheim down to Munich, then through the Austrian Alps (snowing) down to Venice. Then up through Milan, Switzerland, to Mannheim.
Seats weren't as comfortable as a tourbus, but they weren't bad. It was diesel stickshift and we got absolutely awesome gas mileage (for a van.) Didn't handle like a super-heavy vehicle, it was much more precise than the US full-size vans (I've driven Chevy and Ford Army vans.)
Would you like your Ford Transit in Large, XL or XXL?
(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/001-2014-ford-transit-live628opt.jpg)
Get ready plumbers, ambulance drivers and airport shuttles; the 2014 Ford Transit is finally here... almost. Ahead of the truck going on sale next fall, Ford dropped most of the details for its new fullsize van, but, as is the case with any vehicle unveiled so far ahead of its release date, pricing, engine power and fuel economy figures were not announced.
Using the Transit's European styling to its advantage, Ford is actually able to offer more build configurations including two wheelbases, three overall lengths and three roof heights. In base form, the Transit will ride on a 129.9-inch wheel base with an 83.2-inch tall roof, and the biggest version will add almost 20 inches to the wheelbase and almost 30 inches to the roof height. Customers will also be able to choose from folding or sliding side doors and side panels with or without side windows as well as chassis cab and cutaway models.
Under the hood, the Transit will replace the thirsty V8 and V10 engines from the E-Series with a trio of smaller engines aimed at improving fuel economy without sacrificing capability. The base engine is the 3.7-liter V6 that is able to run on E85, but Ford also designed it to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid propane gas (LPG). Optional engines includes the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and the 3.2-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel five-cylinder. All engines will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The big advantage the Transit will have is its interior. The high-roof version will be able to provide 80 percent more cargo volume than the E-Series, and for easier loading of cargo, the rear doors are able to swing open a full 270 degrees; all of the cargo versions have been for easy upfitting of shelves, racks or just about anything necessary to make it easier for companies to get the job done. The long-wheelbase passenger model can accommodate up to 15 passengers, and the Transit will be available with MyFord Touch and navigation displayed on a 6.5-inch touch screen.
Scroll down for the official press release for Ford's all-new van.
Link: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/14/would-you-like-your-ford-transit-in-large-xl-or-xxl/
All-new Transit joins the nation's best-selling lineup of commercial vehicles, giving Ford customers best-in-class fuel economy, the segment's lowest cost of ownership, increased capability and Built Ford Tough durability
Ford Transit offers the broadest lineup of configurations for full-size van customers, available in more variations than the competition combined – three body lengths, two wheelbases, three roof heights and in van, wagon, chassis cab and cutaway variations
Ford Transit will achieve an average of 25 percent better fuel economy and haul at least 300 pounds more than today's E-Series
DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 14, 2012 – The familiar van that delivers packages or shuttles you to the airport is about to change in a revolutionary way. Ford's all-new full-size 2014 Transit van will provide professional tradesmen and commercial fleet customers with unmatched fuel economy, innovative new configurations and leading versatility in the expanding commercial vehicle market.
"The all-new Transit is a game changer," said Joe Hinrichs, Ford's president of The Americas. "Transit raises the game for our customers in North America and around the world with even greater work capability and significantly lower operating costs, helping improve their productivity and bottom lines. These, literally, are the vehicles people trust and rely on for their livelihoods."
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 represents a major opportunity.
Ford is the second-largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in the world and best-selling commercial vehicle brand in North America. The company is leveraging its One Ford product strategy to meet the needs of Transit customers on six continents and in 116 markets with vans that are Built Ford Tough, more fuel efficient and even more capable.
Transit 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 is born from a combined total of nearly a century of hard-earned experience delivering two distinct full-size vans to customers in North America, Europe and other global markets. For North America, Transit eventually replaces the E-Series nameplate, first sold in 1961 as Ford Econoline and America's best-selling commercial van for 33 years. In other global markets, this all-new vehicle will replace today's popular, market-specific Transit models, first sold in 1965 and the best-selling commercial van in Europe.
Transit also is joined by the upgraded 2014 Ford Transit Connect, which pioneered the small van market in the U.S. starting three years ago and has been a hit with cost-conscious commercial fleets and small business proprietors.
Superior cargo hauling and people moving capabilities combined with best-in-class fuel economy were design imperatives for the all-new Transit range.
Transit will be offered in three body lengths; two wheelbases; three roof heights; van, wagon, chassis cab and cutaway bodystyles; and in XL and XLT trim levels.
Power of choice
"The Transit is the new standard in full-size vans and customer choice," said Director of Ford Commercial Vehicle Operations Len Deluca. "We're going from an exclusively gasoline engine lineup of two V8s and a V10 in the E-Series to offering customers a standard 3.7-liter V6, the same 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine proven in Ford F-150 and an all-new 3.2-liter Power Stroke® Diesel option."
Ford will offer Transit's 3.7-liter V6 with a compressed natural gas/liquid propane gas (CNG/LPG) prep kit to assist customers running their vehicles with this abundant, affordable, clean fuel alternative. The 3.7-liter V6 is also engineered for optimal performance with E85 flex- fuel capability.
The all-new 3.2-liter Power Stroke five-cylinder common rail turbo diesel, based on Ford's proven Duratorq global diesel engine architecture, features state-of-the-art fuel, turbo and emissions systems that meet stringent U.S. clean diesel standards, providing an ideal balance of fuel economy and job capability.
For maximum capability, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost promises to be a trusted workhorse, whether carrying materials to the job site or towing a trailer with Transit's available Class IV hitch.
Each engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission for efficient rear-wheel-drive operation.
Biggest range ever
For Transit, the power of choice goes beyond powertrain options to encompass multiple lengths and three roof heights to provide full-size van buyers with the precise combination and configuration they require.
The high-roof Transit features 81.5 inches of interior cargo height, enough headroom for a person six feet, five inches tall to stand upright in the cargo area. The medium-roof can accommodate up to 72.0 inches of cargo height and the low-roof has almost 56.0 inches of cargo height to provide an ideal combination of payload management, upfit readiness and garageability.
Cargo volume ranges from about 250 to almost 500 cubic feet as a jumbo configuration – nearly 80 percent more space than the largest E-Series – and over twice the volume of today's standard E-Series. Essentially, one jumbo van can haul the volume of two current models in a fuel-efficient manner.
Transit's rear cargo doors can open up to 270 degrees for easy loading and unloading.
The Transit interior has been developed for easy upfit of racks, bins, shelving and other cargo storage and hauling solutions. The largest passenger version can carry up to 15 people.
A 6.5-inch touch screen display with navigation and SYNC® with MyFord Touch® – Ford's highly acclaimed voice-activated communications and entertainment system – is also available.
Driving quality
The all-new Ford Transit was designed with improved handling, steering and ride qualities.
A power rack-and-pinion steering setup provides exceptionally communicative steering feel to the driver, serving as a confidence builder.
The front suspension consists of subframe-mounted MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar for smoother, flatter cornering, combined with progressive rear leaf springs and heavy-duty gas-charged dampers for well-controlled ride quality – regardless of load status.
Minimized operating costs
Transit's global design delivers on the same customer expectations in 116 markets worldwide where this sturdy commercial vehicle will be available, requirements such as versatility, fuel efficiency and low operating costs.
Transit has been developed to be efficient to service and maintain, with specialized technical service support and extended operating hours available at more than 600 Ford Business Preferred Network dealers.
Designed and developed to provide efficient service over the long haul, Ford Transit scheduled maintenance costs for a three-year usage cycle are projected to be more than 30 percent less than a Chevrolet Express 1500 with the standard 4.3-liter V6, helping give Transit the segment's lowest cost of ownership per cubic foot or pounds of cargo transported.
Built Ford Tough
The all-new Ford Transit has been engineered to deliver a severe-usage service life of 10 years and 150,000 miles. Transit features rugged unibody construction and extensive application of high-strength and boron steel that's been tested to the same standards as E-Series vehicles at Ford's proving grounds and in the hands of real-world fleet customers in North America.
A durability program to deliver on Built Ford Tough customer requirements included 148 prototype vehicles, with a regimen of 215 separate tests to validate the long-haul functionality of various vehicle systems and hardware.
Cumulatively, Transit durability test vehicles were driven more than 4.6 million miles, or far enough to circle the globe 185 times.
Transit van and wagon models will be available at Ford dealers starting next fall. They will be built at Ford's recently upgraded Kansas City manufacturing facility.
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 172,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.
2014 Ford Transit unveiled in chassis cab and cutaway versions.
(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2014-ford-transit-chassis-cab.jpg)
As a leader in commercial vehicles here in the US, we knew Ford wouldn't take too long to show off the chassis cab and cutaway versions of its 2014 Ford Transit van. Set to go on sale this fall, Ford already revealed the full-body version of the Transit, and now it has pulled the cover off exposed-frame models just in time to to compete against the all-new Ram Promaster.
The term "chassis cab" refers to models with a fully enclosed cabin used for box vans or rental trucks, while cutaway models leave the cabin open behind the B-pillars for a pass-through on vehicles such as Class C motorhomes or ambulances. Both will offer three wheelbase options (138, 156 and 178 inches), the choice of single or dually rear axles, and plenty of upfitter-friendly touches including a pre-wired body harness and multiple body mount locations.
The new design will also help make upfitting a little easier since the fuel filler is now built into the cab (just behind the driver's door). Those integrated fuel filler necks will serve to feed either a 3.7-liter V6, a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, or a 3.2-liter Power Stroke diesel. Transit chassis cab and cutaways will wear varying Gross vehicle weight ratings from 9,000 pounds to 10,360 pounds depending on spec.
Like all US-spec Transit models, the chassis cab and cutaway will be built at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri. About the only thing that has yet to be announced for the new Transit is its pricing.
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/2014-ford-transit-unveiled-in-chassis-cab-and-cutaway-versions/#continued (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/2014-ford-transit-unveiled-in-chassis-cab-and-cutaway-versions/#continued)
VAN!
i'm sure its 1000% better than the econoline predecessor. Still, didn't have to 100% go with function over form. 99.5% would have been fine and make the grill a bit less ugly. not more expensive. just less ugly.
Quote from: Madman on March 10, 2013, 01:15:25 AM
2014 Ford Transit unveiled in chassis cab and cutaway versions.
(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/2014-ford-transit-chassis-cab.jpg)
As a leader in commercial vehicles here in the US, we knew Ford wouldn't take too long to show off the chassis cab and cutaway versions of its 2014 Ford Transit van. Set to go on sale this fall, Ford already revealed the full-body version of the Transit, and now it has pulled the cover off exposed-frame models just in time to to compete against the all-new Ram Promaster.
The term "chassis cab" refers to models with a fully enclosed cabin used for box vans or rental trucks, while cutaway models leave the cabin open behind the B-pillars for a pass-through on vehicles such as Class C motorhomes or ambulances. Both will offer three wheelbase options (138, 156 and 178 inches), the choice of single or dually rear axles, and plenty of upfitter-friendly touches including a pre-wired body harness and multiple body mount locations.
The new design will also help make upfitting a little easier since the fuel filler is now built into the cab (just behind the driver's door). Those integrated fuel filler necks will serve to feed either a 3.7-liter V6, a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, or a 3.2-liter Power Stroke diesel. Transit chassis cab and cutaways will wear varying Gross vehicle weight ratings from 9,000 pounds to 10,360 pounds depending on spec.
Like all US-spec Transit models, the chassis cab and cutaway will be built at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri. About the only thing that has yet to be announced for the new Transit is its pricing.
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/2014-ford-transit-unveiled-in-chassis-cab-and-cutaway-versions/#continued (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/2014-ford-transit-unveiled-in-chassis-cab-and-cutaway-versions/#continued)
I wonder if this will sell well or will people go with a pickup base?
"A 6.5-inch touch screen display with navigation and SYNC® with MyFord Touch® – Ford's highly acclaimed voice-activated communications and entertainment system – is also available."
Clearly, the people doling out the accolades have never actually used SYNC.
Quote from: Mustangfan2003 on March 12, 2013, 07:14:49 PM
I wonder if this will sell well or will people go with a pickup base?
A pickup base for box vans, ambulances and motorhomes? They've never done well in those markets. Similarly you don't see many van chassis with a flat bed, tow trucks, etc.
Quote from: 93JC on March 12, 2013, 08:17:12 PM
A pickup base for box vans, ambulances and motorhomes? They've never done well in those markets. Similarly you don't see many van chassis with a flat bed, tow trucks, etc.
I've seen a lot of ambulances here lately that are F350 based. On another note I've seen a few Mercedes Sprinter ambulances as well.
Quote from: veeman on March 12, 2013, 01:21:02 PM
i'm sure its 1000% better than the econoline predecessor. Still, didn't have to 100% go with function over form. 99.5% would have been fine and make the grill a bit less ugly. not more expensive. just less ugly.
Looks like they're going with the "Fusion" (aston martin) grill on everything.... :facepalm:
Quote from: Mustangfan2003 on March 12, 2013, 11:06:00 PM
I've seen a lot of ambulances here lately that are F350 based. On another note I've seen a few Mercedes Sprinter ambulances as well.
Oh I know there are truck-based ambulances out there but from what I've read the market for ambulances skews heavily toward vans. You asked aloud "I wonder if this will sell well or will people go with a pickup base?" I was just trying to say "There are many commercial markets where van-based chassis-cabs are more popular than pickups, and there's no reason to believe it'll start swinging the other way."
In fact I've seen it moving toward vans. My anecdotal observations are that pickup-based box vans used to be much more popular; U-Haul for example used to have lots of them but I haven't seen one in a long time.
We use van chassis for our ambulances mainly because the pickup chassis is too long and won't fit in our garages. The van chassis suck to work on and we've had lots of issues with the newer Fords especially the engines. We recently got a Chevrolet. Boston uses all pickup chassis.
All of our local ambulances are vans. They used to have a few pickups but they haven't in a long time.
Quote from: Catman on March 17, 2013, 08:22:04 PM
We use van chassis for our ambulances mainly because the pickup chassis is too long and won't fit in our garages. The van chassis suck to work on and we've had lots of issues with the newer Fords especially the engines. We recently got a Chevrolet. Boston uses all pickup chassis.
You see a lot of F350's in NYC serving this role, too. But, I'm seeing a lot of Sprinters as of late replacing the Econoline/express market.
Transit production at Ford's Kansas City assembly plant has begun.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-begins-us-transit-production.html (http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-begins-us-transit-production.html)
I saw where they got on "American Pickers" now. I'm sure Ford gave it to them for some product placement.
I can remember the Mk1 Transit from the 1960s & 70s... used by many a yob to terrorize fellow motorway users in the 1970s.
Quote from: Morris Minor on May 09, 2014, 11:10:28 AM
I can remember the Mk1 Transit from the 1960s & 70s... used by many a yob to terrorize fellow motorway users in the 1970s.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d57/155V6/ford_tranny_zpsd27fc2b7.jpg)
Dukes of Hazard, the UK version. Yeee-Haa....err, I mean Cor, Blimey! :lol:
Quote from: Madman on May 09, 2014, 06:30:06 PM
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d57/155V6/ford_tranny_zpsd27fc2b7.jpg)
Dukes of Hazard, the UK version. Yeee-Haa....err, I mean Cor, Blimey! :lol:
That didn't end well. For the van.
Quote from: Madman on May 09, 2014, 06:30:06 PM
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d57/155V6/ford_tranny_zpsd27fc2b7.jpg)
Dukes of Hazard, the UK version. Yeee-Haa....err, I mean Cor, Blimey! :lol:
And the theme song starts with...
Just'a good ol' lads... :lol:
Autoblog drives the 2015 Transit......
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/06/11/2015-ford-transit-first-drive-review/ (http://www.autoblog.com/2014/06/11/2015-ford-transit-first-drive-review/)
And now Jalopnik weighs in on the Transit....
http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/2015-ford-transit-a-well-behaved-whale-no-matter-how-1588075860/+damon (http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/2015-ford-transit-a-well-behaved-whale-no-matter-how-1588075860/+damon)
I drove a 12passenger Transit in 2004 for a few days on a long trip. Totally better than almost any other van experience I'd had up until then...
The comparison you've all been waiting for.
Ford Transit vs. Mercedes Benz Sprinter on a racetrack! :rockon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3BN28La2cI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3BN28La2cI)
Transit looks so much more composed!
Quote from: Catman on August 19, 2014, 08:31:02 PM
Transit looks so much more composed!
Looks better too...like something Darth Vader would drive. Amazing how flat it corners.
I drive past the big Ford dealer on the beltway every morning- they now have a bunch of Transits sitting out, windowed, in different colors. Pretty sharp-looking!
these would make nice luxury 8 passenger coaches.
I'd love one of these for a SurfVan.