Up close with a US Transit ?

[theoldwizard 461]

So the other day I was "inside the fence" at FoMoCo, and there is a big, red, full sized Transit parked in the lot along Oakwood near Rotunda. So I drive up to it to get a better look. RWD. Diesel (filler for "diesel fluid" looks added-on near the right rear). Left hand drive and (gasp) an automatic ! Yep, a full auto. Missing dash bezel so there is a hand painted PRND32L printed next to the shifter.

 

Now where else in the world would Ford sell a diesel automatic full size Transit ??

[NLPRacing 453]

Interesting, I wonder if there was a "Lion" under the hood?

[theoldwizard 461]

I do not think either a V6 or V8 will fit.

 

My guess is the 3.2L I5 which is part of the Puma family.

[NLPRacing 453]

I do not think either a V6 or V8 will fit.

 

My guess is the 3.2L I5 which is part of the Puma family.

 

If they can fit a longitudinal I-5, why wouldn't something like the EB3.5 and/or th 4.4L Lion Diesel fit? The EB35 is only something like a 60 degree vee and the 4.4L has a reverse flow set-up making it look pretty narrow. That 3.2L I-5 looks pretty wide itself. A Transit with a EB3.5 would be a great replacement for an E150.

[theoldwizard 461]

You have to remember, Ford EU has the design lead on this. What Powertrains get installed is up to them.

[Deanh 2,682]

You have to remember, Ford EU has the design lead on this. What Powertrains get installed is up to them.

seems to me we also need Global drivetrains.......

[jpd80 5,226]

seems to me we also need Global drivetrains.......

 

T6 Ranger also shares Transit's I-4 and I-5 diesel engines, Ranger I-5 diesel is available with 6R80 auto trans option.

[theoldwizard 461]

seems to me we also need Global drivetrains.......

Trust me, they are. Not always with the best results (EU management does not understand that EPA and CARB are different than the "old chaps" club that handles emissions standards/testing in EU).

 

FYI, the "lion" never went into any Ford badged vehicle in either EU or USA.

[NLPRacing 453]

Trust me, they are. Not always with the best results (EU management does not understand that EPA and CARB are different than the "old chaps" club that handles emissions standards/testing in EU).

 

FYI, the "lion" never went into any Ford badged vehicle in either EU or USA.

 

I'm sure you're right about the EU & NA development teams not always seeing eye to eye, but I have a hard time thinking that NA wouldn't have a bigger role in what power trains go into the NA Transit as it will be such an important product. It's not everyday you replace the best selling full size van in America.

 

 

While Ford has never sold a Ford with a "Lion" in it, I'm sure there's been plenty of prototypes built. I think a lineup of engines including the smaller EU diesels (if they can be made EPA compliant), the Lion 4.4L and possibly the EB2.0, EB3.5, & 3.7 gas engines would really make the Transit the van to get.

[theoldwizard 461]

Bottom line. I'm certain the I5 is cheaper than either the Lion or the 4.4L.

 

Remember, the E350/450 will soldier on (cutaway only).

[twintornados 2,922]

So the other day I was "inside the fence" at FoMoCo, and there is a big, red, full sized Transit parked in the lot along Oakwood near Rotunda. So I drive up to it to get a better look. RWD. Diesel (filler for "diesel fluid" looks added-on near the right rear). Left hand drive and (gasp) an automatic ! Yep, a full auto. Missing dash bezel so there is a hand painted PRND32L printed next to the shifter.

 

Now where else in the world would Ford sell a diesel automatic full size Transit ??

"inside the fence"....you sneaky lil devil....

[theoldwizard 461]

"inside the fence"....you sneaky lil devil....

Thank you !

[mikeputc 16]

I'll throw some extra fuel on this fire. Inside these Transit testers are ETAS Lambda Meters (behind the seats) used for emissions measurements - as might be used to certify a Transit diesel against U.S. emissions. It's a Duratorq 3.2-liter I-5 diesel.

Edited August 3, 2011 by mikeputc

[Deanh 2,682]

I'll throw some extra fuel on this fire. Inside these Transit testers are ETAS Lambda Meters (behind the seats) used for emissions measurements - as might be used to certify a Transit diesel against U.S. emissions. It's a Duratorq 3.2-liter I-5 diesel.

Sprinter here we come....wonder if the drivetrain will rear its head elsewhere ( F-150? )

[theoldwizard 461]

Sprinter here we come....wonder if the drivetrain will rear its head elsewhere ( F-150? )

That's an interesting thought ! Cheaper than the 4.4L for sure !

Edited August 3, 2011 by theoldwizard

[Deanh 2,682]

That's an interesting thought ! Cheaper than the 4.4L for sure !

couldnt hurt and would sway a few into buying a new F-series for sure. I mean, lets face it, as good as the eco engine is, it pales to a diesel in one significant area...MPG's under load.....

[theoldwizard 461]

couldnt hurt and would sway a few into buying a new F-series for sure. I mean, lets face it, as good as the eco engine is, it pales to a diesel in one significant area...MPG's under load.....

Ding, ding, ding ! We have a winner !!

[mikeputc 16]

Ding, ding, ding ! We have a winner !!

 

Who says there aren't F-150 mules already running with that engine? ;-)

[Deanh 2,682]

Who says there aren't F-150 mules already running with that engine? ;-)

I hope so Mike, because in my eyes Ford screwed up a GOLDEN oppurtunity when it came to the 4.4 diesel for whatever reason...that engine would have been a perfect compliment to the F150/ 250/350, vans, Expedition...even if it was a 6k premium.....there WOULD have been buyers, and it could have been released in small numbers....

[jpd80 5,226]

I'll throw some extra fuel on this fire. Inside these Transit testers are ETAS Lambda Meters (behind the seats) used for emissions measurements - as might be used to certify a Transit diesel against U.S. emissions. It's a Duratorq 3.2-liter I-5 diesel.

The same engine is used in the T6 Ranger with manual and 6R80 transmissions...

In the T6 ranger, the I-5 turbo diesel and 6R80 is like a sports car to drive, 350 lb ft on tap will do that.

I can see the 3.2 I-5 diesel being a success in the F150 but the V6 diesel is much nicer for NVH

 

I hope so Mike, because in my eyes Ford screwed up a GOLDEN oppurtunity when it came to the 4.4 diesel for whatever reason...that engine would have been a perfect compliment to the F150/ 250/350, vans, Expedition...even if it was a 6k premium.....there WOULD have been buyers, and it could have been released in small numbers....

Even the original 3.6 V8 diesel would have worked fine in F150, plenty of torque, great v8 note and wonderful fuel economy.

Edited August 6, 2011 by jpd80

[theoldwizard 461]

In recent weeks I have seen a couple of "different" Transits driving around Dearborn. One flat bed/pickup and one mini-bus.

 

I have not heard anything about these variations coming to the US.

[twintornados 2,922]

Wiz.....just got back from a vacation in Cancun Mexico and saw a lot of Transit FS running around...both in front drive and rear drive configuration....also saw a lot of VW transport vehicles of all kinds of shapes and sizes.....saw some Peugeots and SEAT vehicles running around....

[Mackintire 21]

Wiz.....just got back from a vacation in Cancun Mexico and saw a lot of Transit FS running around...both in front drive and rear drive configuration....also saw a lot of VW transport vehicles of all kinds of shapes and sizes.....saw some Peugeots and SEAT vehicles running around....

 

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/05/ford-transit-van-coming-to-america-as-kansas-city-built-t-series/

[theoldwizard 461]

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/05/ford-transit-van-coming-to-america-as-kansas-city-built-t-series/

Regarding the above story, Ford build dozens of different Transits in EU; SWB, MWB, LWB, Jumbo, etc. etc.

 

I can NOT find any confirmation that Ford plans to build anything other than the LWB, RWD Tall Transit here.

 

The US Transit (T-xxx) is definitely going to be a commercial vehicle, just like the Transit Connect, so don't expect fancy interiors or lots of options.

[deneway 1]

The same engine is used in the T6 Ranger with manual and 6R80 transmissions...

In the T6 ranger, the I-5 turbo diesel and 6R80 is like a sports car to drive, 350 lb ft on tap will do that.

I can see the 3.2 I-5 diesel being a success in the F150 but the V6 diesel is much nicer for NVH

 

 

Even the original 3.6 V8 diesel would have worked fine in F150, plenty of torque, great v8 note and wonderful fuel economy.

 

The 4.4v8 diesel is $5k cheaper than the V8 supercharged gas engine in the UK. V8 diesel, I doubt it.

 

V6 diesel I can see that. here are the specs from Jag website for the V6 Ford diesels.

3.0 LITRE V6 DIESEL-Available with the new ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and features a parallel sequential turbo-boosting system that provides immediate response, even at low engine speeds, and impressive fuel economy.

- Power: 240PS

- Torque: 500Nm

- Acceleration: 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds (7.1 seconds)

- Fuel consumption (combined cycle): up to 44.8 mpg (6.3 litres/100km)

- CO2 emissions: 169g/km

 

3.0 LITRE V6 DIESEL S

The high power Diesel S has been developed to deliver an even more involving driving experience.

- Power: 275PS

- Torque: 600Nm

- Acceleration: 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds (6.4 seconds)

- Fuel consumption (combined cycle): up to 44.8 mpg (6.3 litres/100km)

- CO2 emissions: 169g/km

Edited November 17, 2011 by deneway