Published March 28, 2012
By Philippe Crowe
Ford announced yesterday that its Transit commercial van will come to market with a new clean-diesel engine, on top of the already announced EcoBoost V6. These engines will allow the new Transit to achieve at least 25 percent better fuel economy than current E-Series vans it replaces.
In addition to the new Transit, certain E-Series body styles will continue to be available through most of the decade in North America, even after the U.S.-built Transit goes on sale.
Production of the new Ford Transit cargo and passenger vans will start in Kansas City in 2013. Ford managed to keep the weight down and the new Transit will be at least 300 pounds lighter than the current E-Series.
We will keep you updated as soon as we learn what the specifications of the new diesel engine will be.
In speaking to the Automotive Press Association in Detroit today, Kevin Koswick, director, North American Fleet, Lease and Remarketing Operations for Ford said the company is committed to continuing to provide customers a range of options to reduce their operating costs. He said Ford will offer a lineup of industry-leading fuel-efficient engines and alternative-fuel technologies, including EcoBoost, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric, biodiesel and CNG/LPG.
