Jump to content

New Transit Test Drive


Recommended Posts

It's the first example of Ford's plan to reconcile its product offerings in the U.S. and Europe — the so-called One Ford initiative

IMHO, rather embarrassing.

We were able only to trundle around old-town Alexandria, Virginia, during our four-hour test-drive of a be-stickered Transit Connect — lots of stop-and-go, straight city streets and moderate speed. These are the conditions for which this vehicle was created.

That's right no highway. You don't want the press reporting the whole story just yet !

This Focus motor makes 136 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 128 pound-feet of torque at 4,750 rpm. That's less horsepower and torque than this engine makes in the Focus. Plus the Connect's Duratec is available only with the Focus-specification four-speed automatic transmission.

If it is the "same engine" why is it less HP and Torque and why no manual transmission ?

 

Reminds me of the last attempt to bring a European vehicle to the US. The Contour was never a success.

 

I hope the delay in the next gen full size Transit was to revise the engine bay to fit a more reasonable engine than a non-turbo gas I4. How about a 3.5L EB and yes, diesels would sell well in a Transit here in the states.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Transit Connect is coming to the US in very limited numbers to begin with. The Transit is remarkable for the simple fact that Ford hasn't imported anything made in Europe since the Merkur and the Escort Van EV.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMHO, rather embarrassing.

 

That's right no highway. You don't want the press reporting the whole story just yet !

 

If it is the "same engine" why is it less HP and Torque and why no manual transmission ?

 

Reminds me of the last attempt to bring a European vehicle to the US. The Contour was never a success.

 

What's the problem? The Transit Connect costs as much as a real live F-150 which is f...ing insulting considering it's built in Turkey and it's a lightweight POS. The good old Ranger gets the same gas mileage and I guarantee it's far more durable.

 

To help compensate for the shortage of juice and the abundance of weight (3,500 pounds), the Transit Connect comes with a relatively short 4.2:1 final-drive ratio. This keeps the little dork-mobile squirting around in traffic

 

And they tested it empty. Go ahead and load it to rated capacity and accelerate to 65mph, you could clock that run with a calendar.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone else tired of hearing this?

It's the first example of Ford's plan to reconcile its product offerings in the U.S. and Europe — the so-called One Ford initiative. Eventually, we'll get the Fiesta subcompact, the European-model Focus compact and the Mondeo midsize sedan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The good old Ranger gets the same gas mileage and I guarantee it's far more durable.

 

But the problem is that the Ranger doesn't have an enclosed cargo area...its like comparing the E-series to the F-series

 

From the pricing I've found, the Transit with all the options is under $26K according to Edmunds...a Stripper F-150 might be cheaper, but whats the point of compairing two totally different vehicles?

 

 

 

Anyone else tired of hearing this?

 

Boils down to people automatically thinking that anything from Europe or even Asia is better then what you can get from the USA.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the problem? The Transit Connect costs as much as a real live F-150 which is f...ing insulting considering it's built in Turkey and it's a lightweight POS. The good old Ranger gets the same gas mileage and I guarantee it's far more durable.

 

 

 

And they tested it empty. Go ahead and load it to rated capacity and accelerate to 65mph, you could clock that run with a calendar.

wrong, try seating four, add a shell for similar security and attempt to get the same mileage especially with the F-150, which would have to be a standard cab to get to the price comparison...absurd comparison...hell why does Ford make the E-series at all then?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the problem? The Transit Connect costs as much as a real live F-150 which is f...ing insulting considering it's built in Turkey and it's a lightweight POS. The good old Ranger gets the same gas mileage and I guarantee it's far more durable.

 

 

 

And they tested it empty. Go ahead and load it to rated capacity and accelerate to 65mph, you could clock that run with a calendar.

yup, but don't lose sight of the fact this is basically targeting inner city deliveries where GT performance is??????? relevent?........ like....in these applications its mileage KILLS both the F series and the Ranger...and don't doubrt the Connects durability...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

and all those companys that have been utilizing PT Cruisers, HHRs and Scions as delivery vehicles now have a much better alternative with an actual payload...

 

PT Cruiser: Discontinued. I guess "all those companies" didn't amount to enough sales to keep it in production.

Scion (XB I presume) MSRP over $5000 LESS then the Transit Connect and (deserved or not) an established Toyota quality reputation more horsepower, more torque, better fuel economy, available 5-speed trans, etc, ect...

Chevy HHR: a little more expensive but same stats, more HP and torque while returning better gas mileage.

 

If you are thinking these little pizza delivery or florist business are going to snap up a ton of Transit Connects you had better watch the Nissan Cube which sells for only $13,990 or the Kia Soul for $13,300 both of which...you guessed it...get better mileage than the TC.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

PT Cruiser: Discontinued. I guess "all those companies" didn't amount to enough sales to keep it in production.

Scion (XB I presume) MSRP over $5000 LESS then the Transit Connect and (deserved or not) an established Toyota quality reputation more horsepower, more torque, better fuel economy, available 5-speed trans, etc, ect...

Chevy HHR: a little more expensive but same stats, more HP and torque while returning better gas mileage.

 

If you are thinking these little pizza delivery or florist business are going to snap up a ton of Transit Connects you had better watch the Nissan Cube which sells for only $13,990 or the Kia Soul for $13,300 both of which...you guessed it...get better mileage than the TC.

note to F250...actually synonomous with your screen name....PAYLOAD, racks and bins UPFITS, double sling doors, 5 feet of potential cargo height, 6feet in length, 5 ft wide,...pizza delivery etc aren't what the main focus is at all, florists perhaps, caterers, UPS, Fed Ex, auto parts stores ( payload can handle an engine no problems )....electricians, plumbers....etc etc....for when a FULL size van isn't necessary...beauty is this IS designed from a commercial standpoint FIRST,,,NOT a daily driving hip transient poseur mobile....I have one company that once the Aerostar Cargo van was nixed, changed to HHRS...they want to replace their ENTIRE fleet, the HHRS just don't handle the abuse....the connect has a proven track record with over 600000 already sold worldwide, and is certified to FORDS stringent Light duty Commercial vehicle durability standards....tested to 150,000 customer equivilent miles.....Scion, HHR and PT cannot claim the same or even close....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

wrong, try seating four, add a shell for similar security and attempt to get the same mileage especially with the F-150, which would have to be a standard cab to get to the price comparison...absurd comparison...hell why does Ford make the E-series at all then?

 

You are correct it was wrong of me to mention the Transit Connect in the same sentance with a real work truck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You are correct it was wrong of me to mention the Transit Connect in the same sentance with a real work truck.

back to comparing a truck with a van? come on man ...two different beasts...and you are grossly under estimating the connects potential....shes a tough little bugger....and there is no real competition ( although I agree they need to ditch the pre historic drivetrain, a 4 speed transmision is a no no today...although apparently its bulletproof )

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You are correct it was wrong of me to mention the Transit Connect in the same sentance with a real work truck.

those sliders sure beat getting a ladder or balancing on a running board to remove cargo don't you think......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...