New Ford van at dealers, soon (pics inside)
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 192
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From: Illinois, usa
New Ford van at dealers, soon (pics inside)
Went to chicago auto show, surprise, the floor had 4 vans there,
from a distance reminded me of our Aero's....But these have a distinct
"work" mission, not too much emphasis on passengers....
Great looks from the side and rear, front is a bit ugly (sound familar?)
Already running in europe, proven design! Tiny engine, great.
No diesel, that sucks. 1 thing I did not like was the LOW seating postion,
it is all headroom. The 'floor' is just as low to ground as a small car....
So it did not 'feel' like a van, to me at least. But it is very unique,
and there was a bunch of people checking them out, unlike the E-class vans.
It felt 'light' when operating the doors, but they declared it is built
for heavy duty use...The van was ready for driving, duratec/trans were in place, it was not a concept.
I even got a sales brochure, it's a done deal.
from a distance reminded me of our Aero's....But these have a distinct
"work" mission, not too much emphasis on passengers....
Great looks from the side and rear, front is a bit ugly (sound familar?)
Already running in europe, proven design! Tiny engine, great.
No diesel, that sucks. 1 thing I did not like was the LOW seating postion,
it is all headroom. The 'floor' is just as low to ground as a small car....
So it did not 'feel' like a van, to me at least. But it is very unique,
and there was a bunch of people checking them out, unlike the E-class vans.
It felt 'light' when operating the doors, but they declared it is built
for heavy duty use...The van was ready for driving, duratec/trans were in place, it was not a concept.
I even got a sales brochure, it's a done deal.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
From: Kiev, Ukraine
Ford Transit connect..... Here in Europe is rather popular. This is van built of Ford Contour/Mondeo chassis usually with small duratorq diesel. FWD car... not it is car like a van, but made as commecial vechicle. Good, reliable breadbox.....
This kinde of vechicles is popular in Europe and may be all companies make these cars...
They call them Light (Small) commercial vehicles (LCV).
Some pics...
Fiat LCV (Doblo)
VW Caddy (Golf chassis)
All them are made on small cars' chassis.
The only LCV made like aero (weldes in body frame, RWD, solid rear axe on leafsprings) is Russian City Van....
But it is not started now, just presented.....
Unfortunatly there is no new van like aero exept of new RWD mercedes vito
Image of Vito 3.0V6 is here:
This kinde of vechicles is popular in Europe and may be all companies make these cars...
They call them Light (Small) commercial vehicles (LCV).
Some pics...
Fiat LCV (Doblo)
VW Caddy (Golf chassis)
All them are made on small cars' chassis.
The only LCV made like aero (weldes in body frame, RWD, solid rear axe on leafsprings) is Russian City Van....
But it is not started now, just presented.....
Unfortunatly there is no new van like aero exept of new RWD mercedes vito
Image of Vito 3.0V6 is here:
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: Tottenham Ontario Canada
Pablo:
That Mercedes Vito is the nearest thing I have ever seen to a replacement for the Aerostar. Is it available in Europe now?
Some of the other LCVs you show in your post are neat (some are ugly), but if they are FWD they are not for me. I frequently tow a trailer (3000 pounds or 1400 kg) and I would never feel safe towing it with FWD.
Hopefully the Vito will come to North America with the diesel engine still offered.
That Mercedes Vito is the nearest thing I have ever seen to a replacement for the Aerostar. Is it available in Europe now?
Some of the other LCVs you show in your post are neat (some are ugly), but if they are FWD they are not for me. I frequently tow a trailer (3000 pounds or 1400 kg) and I would never feel safe towing it with FWD.
Hopefully the Vito will come to North America with the diesel engine still offered.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
Ahhhhhh ???????? If this is the future and the way our vans will start looking????????? you can count me
OOOOOOO UUUUUUUUU TTTTTTTTT
let's not give up on what we have. I'm sure that there will be a few of our loyalist's that will for the most part and it always happens eventually, put our beloved Aero's out to pasture, BUT there are a few of us LIKE ME that will have an Aero 50 years from now. All hail the STAR and not these "I" Robot rejects All in favor say EYE All those opposed say...................whatever you want to say................
I ONLY SPEAK 85 THRU 97 BABY AND BLEED 3 to 4 POINT "oh" ,
BUT FOR THE MOST PART I WILL ALWAYS BE ON THE ROLL,
WITH MY POWER WINDOW DOWN (when it is working),
MY FINGER HAPPILY PRESSING IN THE CRUISE BUTTON AND HORN BUTTON (when my the clock spring isn't qwerking),
LIVIN LOVIN LA VILLA LUCCA song on the equilizered cassette tape radio,
THE ONLY THING RIGHT NOW NOT GIVING ME A PROBLEM IS THE FOOT FEED oh Oh OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH,
SO I GO DOWN THE ROAD IN BLAZIN STYLE WITH MY EXTENDED EDDIE BAUER SHE BUILDIN UP SO MUCH STEAM THE 4.0 BLOWS BY THE OTHER PEEPS CUZ DA MOTOR SHE IS SCREAMING,
YEP-I'M THE CHAP MAYBE FORGOTTEN ABOUT,
MAYBE JUST SITTIN' ON THE PARK BENCH in the year 2035 BEEMIN',
THINKIN' BACK IN THE DAY,
I SUDDENLY WAKE UP,
WOW!!!!!! I WAS AEROSTAR DREAMIN'.
Aerostar's rule break boxes druel support your neighborhood Aerostar chapter--------Please PLEASE remember to have all other wanna bee's NEUTERED OR SPAYED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OOOOOOO UUUUUUUUU TTTTTTTTT
let's not give up on what we have. I'm sure that there will be a few of our loyalist's that will for the most part and it always happens eventually, put our beloved Aero's out to pasture, BUT there are a few of us LIKE ME that will have an Aero 50 years from now. All hail the STAR and not these "I" Robot rejects All in favor say EYE All those opposed say...................whatever you want to say................
I ONLY SPEAK 85 THRU 97 BABY AND BLEED 3 to 4 POINT "oh" ,
BUT FOR THE MOST PART I WILL ALWAYS BE ON THE ROLL,
WITH MY POWER WINDOW DOWN (when it is working),
MY FINGER HAPPILY PRESSING IN THE CRUISE BUTTON AND HORN BUTTON (when my the clock spring isn't qwerking),
LIVIN LOVIN LA VILLA LUCCA song on the equilizered cassette tape radio,
THE ONLY THING RIGHT NOW NOT GIVING ME A PROBLEM IS THE FOOT FEED oh Oh OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH,
SO I GO DOWN THE ROAD IN BLAZIN STYLE WITH MY EXTENDED EDDIE BAUER SHE BUILDIN UP SO MUCH STEAM THE 4.0 BLOWS BY THE OTHER PEEPS CUZ DA MOTOR SHE IS SCREAMING,
YEP-I'M THE CHAP MAYBE FORGOTTEN ABOUT,
MAYBE JUST SITTIN' ON THE PARK BENCH in the year 2035 BEEMIN',
THINKIN' BACK IN THE DAY,
I SUDDENLY WAKE UP,
WOW!!!!!! I WAS AEROSTAR DREAMIN'.
Aerostar's rule break boxes druel support your neighborhood Aerostar chapter--------Please PLEASE remember to have all other wanna bee's NEUTERED OR SPAYED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: Tottenham Ontario Canada
Here's the link to the Mercedes UK web page for the Vito:
http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/cont...vans/vito.html
Here's what I gleaned from the site: Available 3.0L V6 turbo diesel, 204 bhp, 326 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 in 8.3 sec, tow a 5500 lb trailer, fit a sheet of plywood flat on the floor with the doors closed (long version), AND get 30 mpg!!! Not all at the same time, though.
I think I want one. Too bad I have both financial and geographical restrictions.
http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/cont...vans/vito.html
Here's what I gleaned from the site: Available 3.0L V6 turbo diesel, 204 bhp, 326 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 in 8.3 sec, tow a 5500 lb trailer, fit a sheet of plywood flat on the floor with the doors closed (long version), AND get 30 mpg!!! Not all at the same time, though.
I think I want one. Too bad I have both financial and geographical restrictions.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
$30k plus for the Freightliner/Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter with diesel and they don't deal
not worth it for a van
would have to change the seats out to get Aero quality seat
not worth it for a van
would have to change the seats out to get Aero quality seat
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
Bla, poor replacement for the Aero, or even the Windy and Freestars.
Why can't they go RWD, it seems like Dodge has the right idea, people actually do like RWD/AWD, hence the large increase of PU's and SUV's. Too bad the Aero was ahead of it's time, and it's time to bring it back, with just a lightly freshened look on the front end, and they are good to go (maybe a little update to the interior controls, but I like the way they are now.)
Why can't they go RWD, it seems like Dodge has the right idea, people actually do like RWD/AWD, hence the large increase of PU's and SUV's. Too bad the Aero was ahead of it's time, and it's time to bring it back, with just a lightly freshened look on the front end, and they are good to go (maybe a little update to the interior controls, but I like the way they are now.)
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 2
From: Portland, Oregon
Originally Posted by 93nighthawk
Bla, poor replacement for the Aero, or even the Windy and Freestars.
Too bad the Aero was ahead of it's time, and it's time to bring it back, with just a lightly freshened look on the front end, and they are good to go (maybe a little update to the interior controls, but I like the way they are now.)
Too bad the Aero was ahead of it's time, and it's time to bring it back, with just a lightly freshened look on the front end, and they are good to go (maybe a little update to the interior controls, but I like the way they are now.)
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 192
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From: Illinois, usa
Other notes: -The seats did not compare to Aero comfort.
-The 4 vans i sat in all had manual trans, but brochure says auto is standard??
-this is a great van for deer hunters, as you can almost stand up in it.
(good for dragging those suckers inside)!
Plus, has no carpet in rear...easy to clean up the inevetable mess.
-The 4 vans i sat in all had manual trans, but brochure says auto is standard??
-this is a great van for deer hunters, as you can almost stand up in it.
(good for dragging those suckers inside)!
Plus, has no carpet in rear...easy to clean up the inevetable mess.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
From: Kiev, Ukraine
Other notes: -The seats did not compare to Aero comfort.
That's why I love Aero
-The 4 vans i sat in all had manual trans, but brochure says auto is standard??
Manual is standard for Europe, Auto is for Nothern America... Manual is option in the USA
-this is a great van for deer hunters, as you can almost stand up in it
(good for dragging those suckers inside
LOL!!!!
Plus, has no carpet in rear...easy to clean up the inevetable mess.
Carpet is awailable too....
That's why I love Aero
-The 4 vans i sat in all had manual trans, but brochure says auto is standard??
Manual is standard for Europe, Auto is for Nothern America... Manual is option in the USA
-this is a great van for deer hunters, as you can almost stand up in it
(good for dragging those suckers inside
LOL!!!!
Plus, has no carpet in rear...easy to clean up the inevetable mess.
Carpet is awailable too....
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 2
From: central ohio
looks too small. wish the aero was still available, ive been looking fo a manual trans aerostar for awhile, i know they made them. ive only ever seen 2. this thing remids me of a mercury villager. guess the E150/4.6 is still the only choice for a small work van. if only you could still get a C6 or 3 speed coulmn shift manual trans.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
From: Kiev, Ukraine
people say that ford want to use RWD Transit chassis for newer van, small truck a bit bigger then ranger and SUV (bronco-III). but ford have no money now for these programs so we gonna wait for depression end.
