2014 Transit Connect = Goldilocks Van?

Happened to run into the truck manager for the local dealership at the grocery store today. He told me that he had just placed his "stock order" for the 2014's this week but didn't expect to see them until the first of the year.

Previously he had told me there were going to be 2 versions. A short wheel base (probably the one they have in Europe which is ~5" shorter than our current one) and one which is 10" longer wheel base than the current model. I haven't had a chance to ask him about high roof models but all these pic show the low roof version.

I need to go to the dealership next week and will try to get more info.

@Toyman: I have no problems in traffic in town or on the highway with mine. And a local appliance repair man I know has 3 with over 50K on all of them and loves them.

Vigo wrote: ...which averaged 27mpg while being smaller on the outside than, frankly, the MAJORITY of cars for sale in the USA, but bigger on the inside than it's closest modern equivalents in size and mpg (Mazda5, old MPV, and Rondo).

The Rondo struggles to get 19mpg in real-world use. There are a lot of bigger/more powerful cars available today that get the same MPG, and some similar-sized ones that get much better.

When I shop for a replacement, I'm checking out this Ford!

ransom wrote:

Vigo wrote: BUT LO! The new Transit Connect has appeared, and althought it has grown slightly beyond what i consider the perfect exterior size...

I wonder how big it is... I haven't really got much for scale beyond the driver, who does make it look pretty sizeable...

Comparing a long wheelbase version to a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country it's almost the same wheelbase,13 inches shorter,6 inches narrower , but 4 inches taller.

Yes, it has a similar wheelbase to the current 4500 lb vans but is 10"+ shorter overall, ~6" narrower, and an indeterminate amount lighter. Keeping in mind, this is for the long wheelbase version..

Ford is shooting for an EPA 30mpg hwy rating, i think for the 1.6 ecoboost. I expect that engine to get terrible city mpg and be totally underwhelming to drive. But, if you drive primarily highway and can beat EPA...

Several have been through transmissions. Extremely slow compared to a V6 E150. Merging into traffic requires turning off the A/C. Too small. Several of them are getting under 20mpg in mixed driving. Might be better as a personal vehicle, but color me unimpressed.

You could condense that to "needs a better drivetrain", and i would say yes, you've absolutely nailed what's wrong with the current/old version.

I won't get worked up over a diesel. Enthusiasts will want it only with a manual, Ford will pair it with a well-turned auto, Car Snobs will whine and abandon it for their worn-out VW TDI wagons, Ford will abandon the diesel idea... it goes on and on. And yes, I'm bitter.

Oh, im with you there... The existence of what are essentially automated manuals that have MORE gears than the manuals i grew up with, had made me much more accepting of auto-only drivetrains. However, im still not much for planetary-based autos or CVTs so im still 'picky' about automatics.

EvanR wrote: May I please buy it in a raised-roof version? I want to build a modern Westfalia.

+1!!!

And a proper Transit needs to carry an 8 x 4 between the wheel wells and close the doors.

For better or worse, I'll still probably end up with a Sprinter... But this is enticing.

Ian F wrote: And a proper Transit needs to carry an 8 x 4 between the wheel wells and close the doors.

And the full size Transit is coming about the same time as the new Transit Connect.

I have an unrelenting want for a Sprinter, but absolutely no justification for owning one.

On the other hand, i WAS able to mentally justify buying a $700 UMC Aeromate recently!

Dont have pics of mine yet so... here:

In reply to Vigo:

That SO needs to show up at the challenge with some turbo goodness!

In reply to Hal:

And from what I've seen, it will cost about the same as a Sprinter in similar configuration (long wheelbase, high roof, extended length). I don't want a Sprinter for the potential fuel savings of being a diesel (although my plan is build a "single fuel" RV running solely on diesel), I want one because they are the largest vans you can get short of a box truck.

Vigo wrote: it at least has the potential to be fitted with some gloriously efficient powertrains (diesel? **c-max?**), and the 1.6 ecoboost might do ok on the highway, at least...

The c-max efficiency is kinda sucking in magazine reviews. I don't know many details about it though. If they powered the van with the Fusion hybrid drivetrain, I think it would be great.

I also wonder why Toyota didn't make a slightly more boxy Prius V for this market (the small end of the market). Or why Toyota AND Honda haven't offered their Camry/Accord hybrid drive-trains in the Sienna/Odyssey.

Not bad looking at all for a van...even with that catfish front end.

Vigo wrote: I have an unrelenting want for a Sprinter, but absolutely no justification for owning one. On the other hand, i WAS able to mentally justify buying a $700 UMC Aeromate recently! Dont have pics of mine yet so... here:

I now feel better about owning a Bronco 2:-)

I'd love for my Mazda5 to have the storage and seating arrangement of the new Ford TC. Alternatively, I'd love it if the Transit Connect came with similar driving dynamics to the Mazda5.

it appears to have a fusion(?) sourced 2.5l 4 cylinder, a dashboard that looks mostly like a focus, a 6 speed dual clutch auto (with frickin torque vectoring, like the Focus ST?). I hope its like a big focus (including interchangeable suspension bits), kind of like I hear the Mazda5 is like a big Mazda3.

ProDarwin wrote: The c-max efficiency is kinda sucking in magazine reviews. I don't know many details about it though. If they powered the van with the Fusion hybrid drivetrain, I think it would be great. I also wonder why Toyota didn't make a slightly more boxy Prius V for this market (the small end of the market). Or why Toyota AND Honda haven't offered their Camry/Accord hybrid drive-trains in the Sienna/Odyssey.

You know, it's interesting how that stuff works out. A lot of it seems to be based on how the OEM or EPA sets up customer expectations rather than whether or not something gets awesome mileage. The C-Max averages about 40mpg, which is great, and comparable to what the Prius V gets. The problem is that the EPA rated the C-max at 47/47. Ford doesn't exactly control that, but what are their options? What if Ford knew the car would average 40 and also knew it would get 47 under EPA testing? Should they find a way to detune the car in a way that just affects the EPA test loop so that the EPA gives a credible number? Should they warn the consumer that they disagree with the EPA? Or should they just roll with it?

Any way you slice it, 40mpg in the C-max is pretty damn good. Put it in the long wheelbase Transit Connect, and let's say it averages 33-34mpg now. That's damn near 15mpg more than a 4500lb van gets in the city, and 5-10 more than it gets on the highway. It would be revalation for most minivan owners..

But if the epa had rated it 39/39, would it then be E36 M3ty?

The Sprinter may get a 2.1l Diesel.

I hope all this anti-Nissan NV2500 talk kills it resale value so I can pick up one cheap. MPG be damned, they are a great mini-motor home platform.

I have no problems with the NV2500. Saw one yesterday and unlike what many forums say.. I did not immediatly puke upon seeing it

PHeller wrote: I hope all this anti-Nissan NV2500 talk kills it resale value so I can pick up one cheap. MPG be damned, they are a great mini-motor home platform.

That's what I was hoping for when I first heard about it... "ok... it's ugly, but maybe it'll be functional enough that I won't care..." but after crawling all over one at the NY Auto Show (as well as Sprinters many times), it simply doesn't have the interior volume of the Sprinter.

In reply to Ian F:

The best question of the day, will the NV rust as quickly as the sprinter?

yamaha wrote: In reply to Ian F: The best question of the day, will the NV rust as quickly as the sprinter?

I begin to think that sprinters are made from old Fiats by how they rust

mad_machine wrote: I have no problems with the NV2500. Saw one yesterday and unlike what many forums say.. I did not immediatly puke upon seeing it

My wife and I went to the Philly auto show last winter. She's into cars too. She likes sports cars to be sure, but gravitates towards hatchbacks/wagons/vans. She crawled all over the people hauling version of the NV2500 and loved the thing. She asked about getting one when we replace our current van. I was open to the idea...until I saw the sticker price. $39k

mad_machine wrote:

yamaha wrote: In reply to Ian F: The best question of the day, will the NV rust as quickly as the sprinter?

I begin to think that sprinters are made from old Fiats by how they rust

No kidding. It's almost scary to think how bad the new Dodge/Ram (Fiat) van will be in that regard...

Unfortunately, every choice is a compromise in some way...

Klayfish wrote: I was open to the idea...until I saw the sticker price. $39k

Sprinters are even worse. The only way I'd buy one new were if I forgo the DIY build route and commission Sportsmobile (or some other custom RV builder) build one to spec out of a new van, thus allowing me to roll the entire purchase into a RV mortgage-type loan.

Man, I like that little panel van version. Needs a better wheel/tire fitment. I bet it won't tow my pup-up camper though....

EDIT: Ford's website says 2,000 lb towing capacity....so no, it won't be towing my camper. Darn.

Man, I like that little panel van version. Needs a better wheel/tire fitment. I bet it won't tow my pup-up camper though....

You mean, like, according to the USA tow ratings? There are probably lots of lawnmowers that will tow your pop-up camper...

I think i would put about 6000 lbs behind my 90 caravan before i really drew the line. Of course, like everything else i own, it's lowered, stiffened, and has major brake upgrades. All of which means jack crap compared to a modern stock vehicle which has trump cards called ABS, and Stability Control.

DoctorBlade wrote: I won't get worked up over a diesel. Enthusiasts will want it only with a manual, Ford will pair it with a well-turned auto, Car Snobs will whine and abandon it for their worn-out VW TDI wagons, Ford will abandon the diesel idea... it goes on and on. And yes, I'm bitter.

And those people who deman manual AND diesel can get a NEW tdi wagon to replace the worn out one.

Personally one of these vans with a auto, cmax hybrid drivetrain would be awesome for all the family people who dont need or want a manual trans.

If it were up to me I'd love a diesel, manual stripper package with removeable 3rd row to camp in.

Vigo, is your Caravan still turbo?