Build it Your Way: Ford Transit Connect – 6-Speed, Diesel, EcoBoost, 3-Rows?

The Ford Transit Connect was one of Alan Mulally’s strategic “One Ford” gambles. A tall, narrow, four-cylinder urban delivery van that had become popular in Europe. Although at first it seemed like a misfit in “bigger is better” America, it has proven to hit the sweet spot for a lot of small businesses that are looking for something smaller, more efficient, and more maneuverable than a full-size van.

But the Turkish-built box on wheels could arguably be improved even more over its current formula. The U.S. is one of the few, if not the only market worldwide, that the TC is offered only with a gasoline engine. In fact, in almost all other markets in which it’s sold, it’s only offered with a diesel engine and five-speed manual transmission.

The current powertrain of a 2.0-liter 136 hp gas four-cylinder with a four-speed automatic transmission is sufficient for fleet duty, but only just. It delivers a reasonably economical 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. For a vehicle as generally un-aerodynamic as the TC, not a horrible figure. But with the addition of direct-injection engine and a 6-speed automatic, both power and fuel economy would probably receive a significant boost. Or would you go further and offer the 1.6 or 2.0 EcoBoost? Sure…Not many people need a 240-horsepower compact delivery van, but it sure would be fun, wouldn’t it?

Even better in the fuel-sipping department would be one of Ford’s many Duratorq diesels offered in Europe. A dandy and frugal 1.8 is offered in Europe with approximately 110 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. Four-cylinder Duratorqs are offered in Europe with up to 200 horsepower and more than 300 lb-ft!

Also available in Europe is the Tourneo Connect model, which can seat up to 8 passengers. Granted, squeezing that many people into the TC’s compact 180-inch length might not be everyone’s idea of a great road trip, it might fit a lot of customers needs, both fleet and consumer.

How would you build your ideal Transit Connect? A six-speed, whether automatic or manual, seems like a no-brainer, and will likely show up in a year or two. But beyond that, it’s a question mark. Would you go for the frugal diesel, peppy & efficient direct-injection 2.0, or a lively EcoBoost? Two rows, three rows, or no-rows, just front buckets? Share your ideal TC configuration with us below.

 

Source: Motor Trend