Ford Introduces New Transit and Transit Connect in Hannover

FordFordUnited Kingdom, 1909 > present33 models
3718 photos
5 videos
has announced new versions of the TransitFord Transit Gen.8United Kingdom, 2011 > present359 versions
216 photos
and Transit Connect at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hannover. Both cars will be part of Ford's One Ford strategy that will have the cars for sale across six continents.

Transit Connect

The new Transit Connect will go on sale next year and be available with the 1.0-liter Ecoboost engine in some markets. It will also be available with Active City Stop and Sync. It will be available in long and short wheelbase versions with 2.9 m³ and 3.6 m³ respectively. The seats in long wheelbase versions fold down to allow for 3m of load length.

It rides on the same platform as the current Focus and Escape

“We’ve taken the toughness and dependability of the current model, and added some smart new load space features, much-improved fuel efficiency, and a dynamic new style inside and out. We’re confident the all-new Transit Connect will bring new customers to the Ford brand," said Barb Samardzich, vice president of product development at Ford of Europe.

The new Transit Connect looks slightly sleeker than the previous generation while still boxy to allow for the maximum carrying capacity in the rear. There will be van, double-cab-in-van and kombi body variations. 

Including the 1.0-liter Ecoboost, Ford will also offer the Transit with the 1.6-liter Duratorq diesel with 75ps, 95ps or 115ps. A version of the 1.6-liter Ecoboost will also be available. The engines will be different for North American.

It will go on sale in Europe and North America at the end of 2013.

Transit

The new Transit will be the first time the vehicle will be a global model. It will take the place of the outdated E-series vans in North America. The van will eventually go on sale in six continents. 

“The Transit van is going global, and we’ve made it more productive, more fuel efficient and tougher than ever before,” said Samardzich.

Eventually, the new Transit will be available in a variety of wheelbases, roof heights and cab configurations. Compared to the previous car, the new Transit can carry 10% more volume, and the largest Jumbo model can hold 15.1m³.

In Europe, the Transit will be available with three tunes of the 2.2-liter Duratorq engine with 100ps, 125ps and 155ps. It will be available with a six-speed manual transmission and in front-, rear- and all-wheel drive configurations. The North America cars will use the 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 or a diesel.

The range of options on the Transit is immense, but some additions for the latest generation include adaptive cruise control, Ford SYNC, rear view camera and lane departure warning. 

Ford says that it has also made the car easy to modify for camper van converters and modified body makers.

Like the Transit Connect, they will go on sale in Europe and North America at the end of 2013.