http://jalopnik.com/5147714/2010-ford-transit-connect-commercial-simplicity-at-21475
(http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/2010_Ford_Transit_Connect_02.jpg)
OK, bear with me here...but this is just a ed good idea.
The more I read about this vehicle, the more the brilliance shines through. And it seems to be more than just on paper, since it has a proven track record over in Europe.
Since I bought an SUV a few years ago ...did I just type those words? Wow... the need to haul stuff hashiznit pretty close to home. I use the Mountaineer for everything and it has never, ever given me any indication that it can't handle what I throw at it.
So if the Transit is better at hauling things than the traditional van or SUV, and at an affordable price...this thing has to be a home run.
$21 grand. Can potentially stimulate business economy. Built specifically for businesses and fleets. Good gas mileage for its size. Decent interior and power specs. Fills a niche that nobody has filled yet. And it looks pretty good for what it is (at least, it's a hell of a lot better than those ed fugly Dodge Sprinter things (http://"http://www.automedia.com/NewCarBuyersGuide/photos/2006/Dodge/Sprinter%20Passenger/Minivan_Van/2006_Dodge_Sprinter_ext_1.jpg")).
Oh yeah...and it's going to be an electric vehicle, built on the same assembly line as the regular Transit, in 2010:
http://jalopnik.com/5147717/2010-ford-transit-connect-officially-first-ford-electric-vehicle
So imagine the possibilities. Who would buy these vehicles?
- Florists
- Food suppliers
- Fed Ex/UPS
- Taxi companies
- Limousine companies
- Airports
- Pizza parlors
- Contractors
...the list goes on. Now imagine New York City. Already they are using Escape hybrids. With the Transit Connect EV, AND the already existing infrastructure with the Crown Vic as taxi cabs and the Town Car as the limousine of choice, Ford will have a virtual lock on the Big Apple.
If that's not a huge poster for progress--taking back America's largest city with Detroit know-how--then people are just way too blind.
I long to see the Fiesta and its fuel economy here, but as far as real-world progress and utility, the Connect cannot be equaled.
Thoughts?
If they make one in a full size van, then I'd be on it like a bum an a boloney sandwich. But not like those gaukey looking sprinters
I *think* they had something like it at the Chicago Auto Show last year. I'll let you guys know what it looks like in person next week;)
I think its a great idea...... but it has too much of a euro look... thats why i dont like the sprinters.
Add about two feet to the wheelbase and it's a home run. If you can't fit the proverbial 4X8 sheet of plywood inside it it won't be big with contractors. My brother, for example, is a floor installer. He regularly has to carry large loads of hardwood floor. Hardwood flooring comes in packages 8 feet long, and they absolutely MUST be stored inside, as even a little water can ruin a lot of flooring. Because of this he's always had full-size vans (including the Econoline I got that 351 from). His current van is a late 90's LWB GMC Savannah.
To widen the appeal even further, let's have the diesel. Diesel fuel is now closer in price to gasoline and will probably regain its place as the cheaper fuel within a year. Even without the fuel savings, though, the durability and torque of diesel engines would be big assets in a commercial van.
If it handled well and had decent acceleration (as compared to a Crown Vic, which wouldn't take much) I could actually see something like this working pretty well as a police vehicle, too. Everyone thinks police want muscle cars and always want more power, but the #1 complaint I hear about police cruisers is the lack of interior room. A lot of equipment goes into a police car, and a modern police officer is also wearing a lot of equipment. Even a Crown Vic can seem tiny inside when you stuff it full of electronics and protective gear...
Yeah...I can see this in a S.W.A.T. Edition. ;)
Ford seems to be bypassing the whole diesel trend and putting all of its efforts toward either hybrid, partial hybrid, or full electric systems. Personally I don't see that as a bad thing. Other Euro-imports haven't really changed people's minds about diesels in the U.S. yet.
This Transit Connect is a step down from the full size E-Series van. It's for lighter duty stuff...that's why a plywood sheet won't fit all the way inside. Basically this replaces the Freestar in the Ford lineup, except that it's geared toward light industry rather than the average consumer. If a business would need something larger, or to haul heavier loads, then the E-Series would still be available.
So with that perspective, the Transit Connect can still do 3/4 of what the E-Series already does, but with greater fuel economy. I think the E-Series gets like 12-14mpg in the city, something ridiculously low.
OK, now...think about adding an Ecoboost engine to one of these... ;)
I think they should bring over the europian cars with inline 4's and diesel.
It takes me about 37 gallons to travel from Buffalo to Cleveland and back with my van stripped down to bare shelving. Thats about 10-12mpg highway. I'd say cut that in half if there's wind. :hick:
That's kinda my point. Most commercial van owners need the interior space more than they need the weight carrying capacity. A person shouldn't have to drive something that gets 10MPG just because they need to haul something 8 feet long. This is why the Sprinter, ugly and underpowered and expensive as it may be, sells well - probably 80% of the ones I see on the road are LWB versions.
I'm not saying Ford should lengthen all Transits, I'm saying they should at least offer a LWB version. Their chief market is commercial users, so make it appeal to commercial users.
Here are a few pictures of one of our display model, this one is done up for a bakery delivery van, and although it is the diesel/5speed version, it drives and handles excellent!
And a few more...
Didn't someone already mention Diesel, Eric? :hick: A turbo-Diesel is about the only Ecoboost a vehicle like this needs.
Here's a question. Can you get one that doesn't look reeeeally surprised? Chop the top and give it three rows, and
families might actually buy it.
Those are going to be marketed as well??? The Jaolpnik article stated 4cyl gas, automatic only...
Those would work for appliance repair, where you're only carrying replacement parts, I hated moving into a E-250 from my Aerostar...