The other day I saw what looked like a Ford Transit out here in Southern California, it wasn't the smaller Transit Connect. The front clip looked to be very similar to the new F-150's but it almost looked too short, almost like an E-series. I mentioned it to a buddy of mine and he told me he had seen a similar vehicle a few days prior. Has anyone seen one of these or heard about any test vehicles or possibly aftermarket conversions?

 

The full size Transit is available in Mexico and I have seen info that it will be available in the US beginning in 2012, so it is definitely probable that there are some in the US as test vehicles. (California would be a logical test area for the Mexican Transit.)

Being a Detroiter, I have seen some Euro Fords like the EcoSport around the Detroit area with mfr plates. I believe the full size Transit was even developed in large part in the USA. I'm guessing that the big Transit will slot in below the current E series vans and possibly eventually replace it, but it will definitely take some time for commercial outfitters to develop conversion parts for them.

Ford is definitely heading toward standardizing their worldwide vehicle lineup in all markets. This only makes sense to simplify development costs by not having duplicate vehicles.

As fuel mileage standards increase, I think it would also make a lot of sense to redo the Ranger for the US as well.

George

 

That makes sense. If I see one again I'll what plates it has. As far as the E-series goes; there's no way that the Transit won't completely replace it. This thing was massive! As for the Ranger, there was a thread in the F100 secition and we all agreed that it's unlikely that there will be a replacement for a while. Thanks for the info!

 

I'll bet it was the new Nissan Cargo Van, I saw one the other day and mistook it for a Ford

 

Not sure this is going to work, but when you compare the current E150 to the Nissan NV 1500, the main deal killer imo with the Nissan is that it is built on a Titan platform. And so it has a 146.1 inch wheelbase vs. the 138 for the E150, and overall length is 240.6 for the Nissan; 216.7 for the Ford, and the Ford weighs a pretty porky 5291 lbs, vs. the Nissan's "watch the bridge rating" 5853 lbs.

http://www.ford.com/trucks/eseries/c...15|29293|29314

Having said that, the larger TC would certainly gain a following imo, especially if it offered a tighter steering package and better mpg than the E and the other manufacturers.

 

You guys in the 'States wouldn't believe how much Gas and Diesel cost in Europe!!!!

 

It would be nice if Ford had a one-ton Diesel van again. I have an E-350 diesel conversion van that for my purposes (pulling a 24' enclosed car trailer) is the ideal tow vehicle. It's coming up on 300,000 miles and I'd like to replace it, but there is no equivalent new vehicle available. I'd hate to have to buy a Sprinter......

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the Transit and E-series are "combined" by 2015, probably with slightly different power-train options. The Transit doesn't come with an automatic transmission - which I don't think would fly well in the states - and while they make a gas engine version, they are as rare as hens teeth, and its only a 2.3l I4.

If they dropped the 3.7l V6 in there for the "E150", and the 6.2l for E250/350 both with their respective 6 speed auto's that would be more than sufficient.

The transit does come with an AWD option though - I could imagine that would be quite popular in the US.

 

I saw one couple of days ago, I even took pictures of it, it had Michigan Plates (manufacturer) it seems they brought it to MIAMI for a road test, and they were going back.

I would love to buy one, if they keep the small diesel engine and the standard transmission, these vehicles yield a lot of miles on the gallon, I used to have a Brazilian made VW FOX (actually a GOL model) in South America, it had a 1.6 natural aspirated diesel, and it gave me about 45 to 50 mpg, no A/C, no PS, nor AT.

 

Nope, its been a while since I saw it but I know it was a Ford. It had ford badges on it.

 

Full size Euro Transit scheduled to come out in Canada + the USA...2013 model year. Econoline production will end as a result, except I believe for some cab and chassis...which will continue for awhile.

 

Thanks for that. You know if they're coming with diesels or is Ford still sticking with gas? I'm sure guys would jump all over a small diesel for a swap into smaller trucks.

 

It will make a nice work van,but I dont think it will sell as a people/family mover.Its to ugly.If you ever see that ugly thing in my drive its to hook up my cable lol

 

In Europe I believe the large Transit uses a 4 cylinder Diesel ...about 2.2 liters, assuming it is a turbo. In North America..prob. will offer a gas engine and I would be surprised if they don't offer a turbo diesel...prob. the Euro, not North American one.


http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&...jY5y3Q&cad=rja

 

They don't look that bad! I mean I wouldn't buy one because I dont need a van, but I like it better than the Ecolines, especially the new Ecolines.