Ford Transit Connect

Infobox Automobile generation


name = Ford Transit Connect
manufacturer = Ford Motor Company
production = 2002-
assembly = Kocaeli, Turkey
body_style = 3-door minivan
4-door minivan
layout = FF layout
predecessor = Ford Freestar (North America)
class = Compact MPV
platform = Ford C170 platform
engine = 1.8L I4
transmission = 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
wheelbase = SWB: Auto mm|2665|1
LWB: Auto mm|2912|1
length = SWB: Auto mm|4308|1
LWB: Auto mm|4555|1
width = Auto mm|2044|1
height = SWB: Auto mm|1814|1
LWB: Auto mm|1981|1
related = Ford Focus

The Ford Transit Connect is a compact panel van developed by Ford Europe and introduced in 2002. It replaced the older Escort van range, which had ceased production two years earlier. The Tourneo Connect, a leisure activity vehicle, is basically a Transit Connect with side windows and rear seats.

Despite the name, it shares very few components with the Transit; in fact its closest architecture is the C170 platform of the original Ford Focus. The Connect is built by Otosan in an all new production plant near Kocaeli, Turkey.

The Ford Transit Connect was awarded "Van of the Year 2004" by "Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine". However, it has yet to gain the popularity of the Ford Escort Van and the Ford Fiesta-based Ford Courier.

In January 2007 a Turkish newspaper Sabah [http://english.sabah.com.tr/179B7C5565DF4728AD913045BCC0700C.html] [http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/02/report-ford-transit-connect-to-be-sold-in-u-s/] announced that Transit Connect will be exported to the United States starting in the autumn of 2007. While Ford has been silent on this topic, in June 2007 a prototype was seen running in California. [http://jalopnik.com/cars/ford/spy-photos-manufacturer+plated-transit-connect-spotted-in-socal-265070.php] At the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, the official U.S. unveiling of the Transit Connect took place [http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/06/chicago-2008-ford-transit-connect-arrives-in-the-state/] .

Since the car is designed by Peter Horbury who earlier worked at Volvo there is some speculation if it was inspired by the 1977 Volvo City Taxi concept. [http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1064&a=753771]

The vehicle will be sold in select urban areas of the United States beginning in mid-2009 as a 2010 model, becoming the first Ford minivan since the 2007 Ford Freestar, but basicly replaces the Ford Aerostar in the compact cargo/utility van market. Only gas engines will be offered in the US, where as diesel engines are avalable elsewhere.

Electric vehicle

Smith Electric Vehicles, has launched the Smith Ampere, a new product aimed at the light van sector. Ampere, which utilises the Ford Transit Connect chassis, and will be joint branded Ford and Smith. [ [http://www.smithelectricvehicles.com/newsevents_news.asp?p=n&itemid=204 Smith Electric Vehicles - News ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.ford.co.uk/ns7/all_vans/-/-/-/-/-/- Ford official site]
* [http://fordtransit.org/forum/ Ford Transit Forum]
* [http://fordtransit.com/ Ford Transit UK Dealer Directory]