how can they not be AWD?
 

I've been waiting for these vans to come out for a couple years, now i find out they aren't AWD. I want a van so badly, but i want nothing to do with anything that is two wheel drive. kinda disappointing. any word if they will release it all wheel drive later?

Not sure why you thought the Transit would be AWD/4x4? They're RWD just like the E-series before them.

With that said, there are plenty of converters out there. Quigley is one of the big ones. They've been making 4x4 Ford vans for years and are getting ready to make Transit conversions.

a few things i read within the last couple years stated they would have AWD as an option, i think there is enough of a demand to have it available, maybe i am wrong.

You're not wrong.

I know plenty of people who are very interested in something like the Transit Connect, but since Ford has inexplicably made them RWD, they have no incentive to trade in what they already have. I'd buy one if they were AWD - heck I'd get one if they were FWD.

The Transit Connect is FWD.

In talking with a Ford engineer today he suggested we may be re-entering the minivan market in the next few years. Transit Connect is indeed FWD, while big Transit remains RWD. Most buyers of these are fleet operators and they don't get value of a $4k option 4wd for something they only would use a few days a year. Most people don't need 4x4, they just want it, I've driven Mustangs year round here in Pa without major issues. When the vehicle is being purchased as a business tool the expense just isn't justified.

In Europe the full size Transit can be purchased with FWD and AWD in some configurations. In the US it will be RWD only for now.

I wouldn't be surprised if they make AWD available.

EU gets FWD/AWD/RWD models.