Chicago Auto Show 2009: Ford ready to offer Transit Connect van in U.S. at AutoFans www Auto Com

Chicago Auto Show 2009: Ford ready to offer Transit Connect van in U.S.

One year after announcing it would bring the compact Ford Transit Connect van to the U.S. market, Ford is now ready to put it on sale. The little van hasn’t changed much since we first saw it, although the styling of the nose has been tweaked a bit, primarily around the grille area. The lower front fascia now has the trapezoidal opening characteristic of Ford’s Kinetic design. The Transit is intended to be a more maneuverable and efficient alternative to the big old E-series full-size vans targeted primarily at commercial customers, although anyone will be able to get one.

American buyers of the Transit Connect will only have one conventional powertrain option, a 2.0L four cylinder Duratec gas engine paired up with a four-speed automatic transmission. Ford has also confirmed that the Transit Connect will be the basis of its new electric van to be offered starting in 2010. The battery electric version is being developed in conjunction with Smith Electric Vehicles from the UK. Follow the jump to learn more about Ford’s latest European transplant.

At a preview before the Chicago Auto Show, VP of Global Product Development Derrick Kuzak declined to get too specific about the electric van they’re developing, but we can make some reasonable guesses based on information from Smith Electric Vehicles. Smith has been developing electric drive conversions of several different delivery van and truck platforms for several years. The Smith vehicles are growing in popularity in Europe, especially in cities like London that have congestion zones and offer an exemption for zero emissions vehicles. Smith is already offering electric versions of both the full-size Transit and the smaller Connect, the latter badged as the Ampere.

The Ampere uses a 50 kW electric motor driving the front wheels with a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is claimed to give a 100-mile range on a charge. The electric Connect has a top speed of 70 mph, making it ideal for urban delivery and service use. The electric TC will be offered in the U.S. primarily to commercial fleet customers beginning in the second half of 2010. Kuzak wouldn’t talk about volumes or pricing for the electric version just yet.

The gas powered version is another story. With expected EPA ratings of 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, the TC tops the E-series by more than 40 percent. While the much larger E-series will be required for some applications, there are plenty of uses where the TC is a better option. Since it’s front-wheel-drive, the load floor is considerably lower making it easier to get stuff in and out. In spite of its compact dimensions, the TC has 135 cu ft of interior volume behind the front seats.

There is four feet of flat floor between the wheel wells in the back and six feet from the rear doors to the back of the seats. Through the read door opening of the TC can accommodate objects up to 52 inches tall, another seven inches are available inside below the roof. Speaking of those doors, in standard form the split rear doors open 180 degrees, although 255 degree opening doors are optional. There is also a sliding door on each side of the van. Although the TC is targeted at commercial users, it is also available with a three-seat second row bench and windows all around making it a viable small people mover too.

Without the extra seating, the TC has a 1,600-lb payload capacity and Ford emphasizes that it’s been tested to the same durability standards as the full-size E-series, F-150 and Super-Duty trucks. The Transit Connect will also be available with Ford’s Work Solutions package, including the in-dash computer, Tool Link RFID tool tracking system and internet access. For around town use, the 39-ft turning circle is just one foot more than a Honda Accord. When it goes on sale this summer, the Ford Transit Connect will have a starting price of about $21,475 including delivery.

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Chicago Auto Show 2009: Ford ready to offer Transit Connect van in U.S.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 at 6:02 am and is filed under Truck, Chicago Motor Show, Chicago Auto Show, Ford, Auto Show. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.