Ford is about to completely change the look, feel, fuel economy and functionality of its full-size commercial vans in the U.S. with the introduction of the 2014 Ford Transit.
“The all-new Transit is a game changer,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford 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.”
Transit will eventually replace 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 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.
The Transit will be available with a 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 will also be available. It is based on the proven Ford 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 available 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ promises to be a trusted workhorse, whether carrying materials to the job site or towing a trailer with an available Class IV hitch.
Each engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission for efficient rear-wheel-drive operation.
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.
The global design of Transit 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.