Ford's Tourneo Custom Concept will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, giving what we believe is an accurate preview of the next generation of Ford Transit people movers and commercial vehicles. The Tourneo is based on a new Ford global platform which has been engineered to deliver car-like dynamics and agile, responsive handling, plus improved comfort and noise-levels.
The styling is based on the same "Kinetic Design language" used in the latest passenger cars, while the driving experience of the new van has been described by Ford as "car-like." The cavernous space in the rear of the vehicle in the concept has been trimmed in leather and has the ambiance of a luxury passenger saloon, only with a lot more room.
Even in the concept car though, despite the rear of the eight-seater being trimmed in leather with sumptuous multi-adjustable leather seats, the seats can be easily reconfigured into different arrangements (although there are no details on exactly what arrangements at this point) and they have also been designed so they can be easily removed for special purposes then replaced quickly.
The Tourneo's technology toolbox includes a SYNC voice-activated connectivity system that allows control of both phone and tablet with voice, a rear-view camera, and a system which detects and alerts the driver if it notices signs of drowsiness or if the vehicle is drifting out of the lane.
This may be the first visual glimpse of the next generation of Ford commercial vehicles, but enough detail has been released to get an idea of the upcoming front-wheel drive, one-tonne van range which will be released later this year.
The engine is a 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine and will be available in 100 PS, 125 PS and 155 PS versions with a six-speed manual transmission. All models will be available as short or long wheelbase and an extensive array of body styles will also be available, as you'd expect.
Ford has plans for the vehicle in most international markets, but it will NOT be sold in North America.
Because Americans are too dumb to buy a sensible car. If a car isn\'t capable of 150mph in rush hour traffic and uses less than 10 gallons of gas to go to the market -- hey! we aren\'t interested.
Like Ford bringing ANY small diesel into the US where in Europe they get the \" . . . 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine and will be available in 100 PS, 125 PS and 155 PS. \" Bring a turbo-diesel-hybrid and you have a winner !!!
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2011/12/ford-drops-e-series-van-replaces-with-transit.html
Having driven both the e-series and the transits, I can tell you the transits are faster, better handling, more efficient, have more internal space for the driver, and the little 4-cylinder diesel with a manual transmission is much hardier than the V8/auto combination.