Ford Transit Connect: Шағын жүк көлігінің шолуы

Compact panel van manufactured by Ford

The Ford Transit Connect is a compact panel van sold by Ford since 2002. Developed by Ford of Europe, the model line replaced sedan based vans (Ford Escort and Ford Courier vans) with a dedicated commercial vehicle platform. The model line is the second smallest vehicle of the Ford Transit range, slotted between the Ford Transit Courier LAV and the Ford Transit Custom LCV/MPV. In line with other Ford Transit variants, passenger oriented models (in Europe) are marketed as the Ford Tourneo Connect with side windows and rear seats. The first and second generation Transit Connect has been imported to North America from the 2010 model year. To circumvent the 25% "chicken tax" on imported light trucks, all examples have been imported as passenger vans, with cargo vans converted to the intended configuration after their importation. In the region, the Transit Connect does not have a direct predecessor; the closest vehicle to its size was the standard length Ford Aerostar cargo van, which ceased production in 1997. The first generation Transit Connect was assembled by Ford Otosan (Kocaeli, Turkey) along with Ford Romania (Craiova, Romania). For the second generation, Ford of Europe shifted production to its Ford Valencia Body and Assembly facility (Almussafes, Valencia, Spain). For 2022, a third generation of the Tourneo Connect was released; based on the Volkswagen Caddy, the model line is assembled by Volkswagen in Poland. TOC

The Transit Connect was introduced in Europe in October 2002 as the replacement for car derived vans based on the Escort and the Fiesta but as it is built on a dedicated commercial vehicle platform it is not a car derived van itself. Production of the Escort in Europe ceased in 2000 (although the vans carried on for another two years), whilst the Fiesta Courier was also planned to be discontinued when the fifth generation Fiesta entered production in 2002. Ford elected not to develop a direct sedan delivery version of the Focus, instead pursuing a purpose built design. Sharing few components with the much larger Transit, the Transit Connect was built on a dedicated commercial vehicle platform C170 similar to the international Ford Focus, then common with the first generation North American Ford Focus. Rather than adapting an existing bodystyle into a van, the Transit Connect was designed with sliding side doors. The Escort van and the Fiesta Courier had been assembled at the Halewood and Dagenham plants in England, respectively, but both plants were to cease Ford car production (Halewood was to be handed over to Jaguar, whilst Dagenham was to become an engine plant only), so a new production facility was needed. The Transit Connect was assembled by Otosan in an all new production facility at Gölcük, near Kocaeli, Turkey. In its first year on the North American market, the Transit Connect was awarded "North American Truck of the Year 2010" at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

Since mid 2009, the Transit Connect has been imported to the United States and Canada. First shown in the United States at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, the 2010 production model was introduced at the following year's show on 11 February 2009. The introduction of the North American variant coincided with a mid cycle facelift which includes a restyled front grille, a deeper front bumper and a new dashboard featuring the switchgear and instrument pod from the C307 Focus. Initially, only the long wheelbase version of the van, outfitted with a 2.0L four cylinder petrol engine and 4 speed 4F27E, was offered in North America; elsewhere, the 1.8L diesel engine and 5 speed manual transmission was the only available powertrain. The 2.0L Duratec DOHC I 4 gasoline engine has 136 hp @6300rpm, and 128 lb. ft. of torque @4750 rpm. It specifies minimum 87 octane gasoline and fuel economy is 21 mpg city/27 mpg hwy and 23 mpg combined. An electric version followed in 2011, converted by Azure Dynamics Corporation at a U. S. facility. To build interest and awareness in North America, Transit Connects specifically equipped as "mobile showrooms" were displayed at industrial parks and other venues in 13 U. S. urban areas in May 2009, with the goal of offering 3,000 test drives to small business owners. With model year 2011, Ford offered the Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon in the US and Canada, a passenger version of the van — with seating for five, rear windows that opened for ventilation, blind spot awareness, rear view camera, larger alloy wheels, body colour grille, and front fog lamps. The Transit Connect Wagon was the first Ford minivan since the 2007 discontinuation of the Freestar, though it was closer in size to the standard length Ford Aerostar sold from 1986 to 1997.

In the U. S., the Transit Connect was available in two different trim levels, which are XL and XLT. For passenger models, an XLT Premium model was offered.

The 2014 Transit Connect is powered by a 2.5 litre inline 4, or a 1.6 litre EcoBoost turbocharged inline 4. The only transmission type available is the 6 speed 6F 35 automatic. For buyers interested in alternative fuel vehicles, Ford offers optional hardware allowing for the 2.5 litre engine to be converted to use CNG or LPG/propane instead of gasoline. When sold in the United States, the Tourneo Connect bears the "Transit Connect Wagon" moniker, available in two wheelbases, and with a choice of 5 or 7 passenger seating. The latter configuration is the first 7 passenger minivan sold by Ford since the 2007 discontinuation of the Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey. In 2014, it was available in three models, which are XL, XLT, and Titanium.

For the 2019 model year, the Transit Connect underwent a mid life update, receiving updates to the front fascia, with the interior receiving a redesigned dashboard. Retaining the multiple wheelbases and body heights from its 2014 launch, the facelifted model replaces the 2.5L engine with a 2.0L direct injection I4 (the 2.5 litre engine remains an option for LPG/CNG conversion). For 2020 production, Ford ended production of the short wheelbase Transit Connect passenger van, solely offering the three row body style. 105 cu. ft. (2.97 m³) of cargo space
100+ cu ft. + Cargo volume behind first row (second row seats folded)
50.0+ cu. ft Cargo volume behind second row

Long wheelbase: 168.5 cu ft (4.77 m³) total The 2022 models with the 2.5L engine saw a reduction to highway. While the 2019 2022 models with the 2.0L GDI engine were rated at city and or highway, depending on trim level.

The third generation Tourneo Connect for the European market was released in October 2021 as a rebadged and restyled fourth generation Volkswagen Caddy. The Caddy based Transit Connect will launch to Australasia in the second quarter of 2024.

In fleet (taxi) applications, Ford markets the Ford Transit Connect Wagon as a replacement for the Ford Crown Victoria P70 (discontinued in 2011). For taxi use, the rear seat is shifted several inches rearward (both to increase legroom and to allow fitment of a partition); a third row seat is not offered. Other features include rear seat climate controls and school bus yellow paint. In 2011, the Transit Connect was rejected for the New York City Taxi of Tomorrow bid (a 10 year contract to replace the Crown Victoria exclusively); though a finalist, the Transit Connect lost to the Nissan NV200. During the 2010s, New York City adopted the Transit Connect as an accessible cab; it also has replaced the Crown Victoria in multiple large American municipalities with organized taxicab services.

At the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, Ford confirmed development of a battery powered version of the Transit Connect. Later at the Geneva Auto Show the same year, Ford showed a prototype electric version of the Ford Tourneo Connect passenger van, which is closely related to the Ford Transit Connect. Ford originally announced Smith Electric Vehicles would install the electric drivetrains and lithium ion battery packs in the vehicles, but they later partnered with Azure Dynamics Corporation instead, with Johnson Controls Saft as the battery supplier. Production of the Transit Connect Electric began in December 2010, and Azure Dynamics is the official manufacturer of record. The official US Environmental Protection Agency range is 56 mile (90 km) and has a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 62 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent ( equivalent) based on the five cycle tests using varying driving conditions and climate controls. The electric van costs $57400, which more than doubles the price of the gas powered version even after federal and any state or local incentives for electric vehicles is discounted. Using a short wheelbase cargo van with a rear liftgate, the X Press is fitted with the front suspension, four wheel disc brakes, and steering of the Focus RS. The cargo bay is fitted with a full body roll cage along with two spare tires. Its BEV technology was developed in collaboration with Smith Electric Vehicles.

Calendar yearU. S.20098,834201027,405201131,914201237,521201339,703201443,210201552,221201643,232201734,473201831,923201941,598202034,596202126,112202225,140202318,050Total495,932