Keith Browning Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 From the Detroit Free Press Ford will offer a diesel engine as well as a gasoline engine in the new Transit full-size heavy-duty commercial van when it goes on sale in North America next year, the automaker announced today. The Transit cargo and passenger van will replace the E-Series commercial van in Ford’s lineup next year when most versions of the long-serving van, once known as the Econoline, is discontinued. The Transit will be built at Ford’s Kansas City plant starting next year. The news marks the return of a diesel in a large van for North America. Ford stopped offering a diesel in the E-Series after the 2009 model year because the old 6.4-liter diesel did not meet new emissions standards. Ford is not yet disclosing which diesel will go in the new Transit when it goes on sale next year but an obvious choice would be the new 6.7-liter diesel Ford now uses in its heavy-duty F-Series pickups. On Monday BAE Systems announced it will buy the 6.7-liter diesel from Ford to use in its vehicle developed for the U.S. Army’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program. For the Transit, Ford has already said it will offer a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 gasoline engine as well. The smaller direct-injection turbocharged engine and lighter van combine for an estimated 25% improvement in fuel efficiency compared with a similar E-Series. “With fleet operators facing skyrocketing fuel prices and constant pressure to reduce costs, Ford continues to expand its range,” Kevin Koswick, Ford director of North American Fleet, Lease and Remarketing Operations, said in a release that coincided with his speech Tuesday at an Automotive Press Association event in Detroit. Koswick also said Ford has created the “Vehicle Emissions and Fuel Cost Calculator,” a program that evaluates fuel costs and emissions to help fleet buyers choose vehicles best suited for the conditions under which they will be used. “This tool will help our customers make the most informed purchase decision possible – one that will meet their business needs, help promote energy security and help protect the environment,” said Sandy Winkler, a Ford senior researcher and developer of the tool. Ford has shown a light-duty front-wheel-drive version of the Transit for Europe but has not yet revealed the new - and different - look for the sturdier North American version. The heavy-duty rear-wheel-drive Transit will be built at the retooled Kansas City plant while the light-duty van is made in Turkey. Ford has sold more than 6 million Transits across five continents since it launched in 1965. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetane Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Ford is not yet disclosing which diesel will go in the new Transit when it goes on sale next year but an obvious choice would be the new 6.7-liter diesel Ford now uses in its heavy-duty F-Series pickups. I dont think so. The 6.7 is way too big to fit in that engine compartment. Get ready to learn something new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted March 28, 2012 Author Share Posted March 28, 2012 That is what I was thinking. Aside from that, I would suspect that the Transit could get better fuel economy from a more reasonably sized engine than something like the 6.7L recalling that Ford wanted to make the new full-sized van more fuel efficient than it's predecessor. Something like the 6.7L doesn't fit in more than one way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshbuys Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 I would suspect that the Transit could get better fuel economy from a more reasonably sized engine than something like the 6.7L recalling that Ford wanted to make the new full-sized van more fuel efficient than it's predecessor. Exactly what went through my mind as I was reading this announcement. An inline engine would be nice in a van....just sayin' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmorris Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 So what are we thinking here? There was the news that Ford was working on a smaller diesel around 5L in size. http://www.forddoctorsdts.com/forums/ubb...40404#Post40404 Or are they thinking of sourcing out for a smaller engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselD Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 The E series will be a hard vehicle to replace. As boring and difficult to work on as they are they where a solid vehicle. That fullsize transit BS they are planing on looks like shit. I hope it performs as well as the econoline did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmorris Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 From the Detroit Free Press Ford stopped offering a diesel in the E-Series after the 2009 model year because the old 6.4-liter diesel did not meet new emissions standards. Shouldn't that read 6 liter not 6.4. They never put the 6.4L in a n E-series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetane Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 This article gives a better idea of what will be under the hood. http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2012/03/ford-transit-to-get-diesel-for-us-.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 Originally Posted By: Keith Browning From the Detroit Free Press Ford stopped offering a diesel in the E-Series after the 2009 model year because the old 6.4-liter diesel did not meet new emissions standards. Shouldn't that read 6 liter not 6.4. They never put the 6.4L in a n E-series. I thought the 6.4L wouldn't FIT in the Econoline and that is why it was not used. It would be interesting to know why certain engines cannot be made, or updated to meet the new emissions requirements thus requiring such drastic changes. We have seen the 7.3 go to the 6.0 liter which morphed into the 6.4... we know there were other factors leading to the development of the 6.7 Ford diesel so why not ask if that had not happened, would the 6.4L still be the current Power Stroke? In contrast, the Cummins engine used in Dodge trucks seems to be a continuing progression. (it's funny how my spell checker still want's Cummins to be "Cummings." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 This article gives a better idea of what will be under the hood. http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2012/03/ford-transit-to-get-diesel-for-us-.html Thank you for the link. I still say that vehicle is one ugly, cheesy looking pile of shit. Pardon my language but that is what comes to mind when I see it. To be honest, the Nissan NV is more in line with what I imagine the Ford van would have become. It has character and has that Ford "hood look" in the front not to mention it does not have that look of a lot of plastic panels and parts. I have said it before, if this thing is ANYTHING like the Transit connect it is a giant piece of crap when compared to the current Econoline and the engine options are going to be pointless. We shall see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmorris Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 Originally Posted By: Cetane This article gives a better idea of what will be under the hood. http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2012/03/ford-transit-to-get-diesel-for-us-.html Thank you for the link. I still say that vehicle is one ugly, cheesy looking pile of shit. Pardon my language but that is what comes to mind when I see it. To be honest, the Nissan NV is more in line with what I imagine the Ford van would have become. It has character and has that Ford "hood look" in the front not to mention it does not have that look of a lot of plastic panels and parts. I have said it before, if this thing is ANYTHING like the Transit connect it is a giant piece of crap when compared to the current Econoline and the engine options are going to be pointless. We shall see. I think if they changed the shape of that side window it might look not so bad. I do like the subtle Ford styling on the hood and lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetane Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Behold the Transit SportVan. It is no Ferrari but it looks a lot better than the picture they had. In any case, the picture above and the one on PUTC are of the current Transit not the one we are going to get. Why do you dislike the Transit Connect? It is unfortunate that it has to make due with an old powertrain but makes it a little cheaper/easier to fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Amacker Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 I don't think either of them are really ugly, I prefer to think of them as modern, futuristic, and European. Maybe I'm just in a good mood today or something..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share Posted March 30, 2012 Behold the Transit SportVan. It is no Ferrari but it looks a lot better than the picture they had. Agreed! That blue Transit is not so bad. Originally Posted By: Cetane Why do you dislike the Transit Connect? The Transit Connect is CHEAP and very light duty. Nothing about it says quality to me. They even stink really bad inside. Also the thing is made in Turkey. Seriously? Imported from friggin TURKEY? Originally Posted By: Bruce Amacker I don't think either of them are really ugly, I prefer to think of them as modern, futuristic, and European. Maybe I'm just in a good mood today or something..... I live in America, not Europe. If I want to drive a European shit box I will buy a Volkswagen. I'm sorry guys if I seem abrasive here. Things have been really shitty for me lately... and I really hate European styling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmorris Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 I don't think either of them are really ugly, I prefer to think of them as modern, futuristic, and European. Maybe I'm just in a good mood today or something..... I still don't like that door window. Our owner saw this 5 cyl. diesel in some Rangers over in Greece, he says they are getting upwards of 50 mpg. He foresees some big sales numbers if they infact come with that engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share Posted March 30, 2012 Somehow I don't think those diesels will meet American emissions standards making them more costly to produce and less efficient to put in North American vehicles. If I recall that is why we haven't seen a diesel Fiesta... you know, that 60 MPG car that was being talked about a while back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselD Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Our EPA is far too concerned about polar bears then actually allowing us a engine that will get 50-60mpg. however the diesel jettas are close to that ballpark. Then again Europe has a whole lot worse fuel prices then we do. I agree the connect is a large version of a pos focus. Not the current focus but circa early 2000 focus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmorris Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 So the question is raised once more. What diesel engine do we think is going into this? Any rumors? I still wonder if the 5L diesel rumor is true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetane Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 There is no 5L diesel. I dont know where that rumor came from, this is the first I' ve heard of it. The Pickuptrucks.com article referenced above is the best story I've seen with engine "speculation". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted March 31, 2012 Author Share Posted March 31, 2012 The turbo-diesel engine Ford is talking about is most likely the DuraTorq common-rail direct-injection 3.2-liter inline-five offered in the new global Ford Ranger. Although no specific details were released, that engine would make the most sense, and it would be a great way to get a proven small-diesel into the U.S. market. In the Ranger, power ratings are about 200 horsepower and 350 pounds-feet of torque, certainly more than adequate for a work-duty cargo or passenger van of this size. This is a paragraph from the pickuptrucks.com article. It eludes to what diesel engine is likely to be in the North American Transit. Even more interesting though is mention of the diesel Ranger we will never see apparently. Another interesting part of this is the statement: "200 horsepower and 350 pounds-feet of torque, certainly more than adequate for a work-duty cargo or passenger van of this size." This tells me that the author of this article either does not understand the American diesel owner ot this van is not as "full sized" as we think it is. Or perhaps it is an indication that Ford is (for once) not going to shoehorn an over sized engine into a van and give fuel economy and reasonable power careful consideration. It will be interesting to see what we are served and if America takes a bite. I am beginning to become interested. Oooooooh! And a new forum to add!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchan68 Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I'll throw in my , if it's even worth that. Anybody know what happened to the Sprinter? If I recall correctly, that van came originally equipped with a 2.7L in-line 5 cylinder turbo-diesel. This would be in the Daimler-Chrysler days that are now gone. Didn't they discontinue that engine, and all you can now get is a V6 gasser? What was the reason for this? If I were to guess, it would likely be due to the lack of power the owners needed for a vehicle of that size/class. I would personally think that to meet the power demands of all the current E-Series owners, the previously rumoured 4.4L "Lion" engine would've proven to be a better replacement before Ford shelved those plans. Since the current E-Series 6.0L is rated at 235 HP and 440 ft-lbs. of torque, I would think the 4.4L would be far closer to that range than the 3.2L Duratorq. By the way, if you click on the on-line workshop manual for the full size Transit, have you noticed the lack of a section for automatic transmissions? Does this mean a manual transmission is going to be offered as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Amacker Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I'm no Sprinter expert, but I've only seen diesels in them, but they're quiet enough to pass as gassers. I think the current motor is a V6 of about 3 liters. They drive very nicely, and if the new Ford drives that well it will sell like a bitch. I think that is what the gurus at FMC were eying when they designed that van. What do you mean, "What happened to the Sprinter?" The sell the shit out of them around here. I "think" they were all MB no matter whether thay were badged MB, FL, or Dodge. Correct me if I'm wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted March 31, 2012 Author Share Posted March 31, 2012 I'll give you a buck for your opinion Mike. You may be on to something there. Ultimately I think we are just going to have to wait for the product launch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshbuys Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I "think" they were all MB no matter whether thay were badged MB, FL, or Dodge. Correct me if I'm wrong. Correct, the diesel engine is MB, I've never seen a gasser, but that doesn't mean they're not out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Clayton Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I got offered a job at the local Freightliner dealer. It seems they sell about a 100 Sprinters a year and they want a dedicated mechanic. I declined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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