Ford has announced its first two connected commercial vehicles in Europe, introducing the new FordPass Connect on board modem technology to the Transit Connect and redesigned Fiesta Sport Van.
The Fiesta Sport Van, now based on last year’s redesign of the passenger car version, returns to the automaker’s commercial vehicle range next autumn. The Sport trim comes with either the one-litre, 1225PS, EcoBoost, I3, petrol engine or the 120PS 1.5-litre TDCi diesel.
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Compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system is standard and with the (currently fashionable) floating, ‘tablet inspired’ eight inch colour touchscreen. The AppLink feature allows drivers to access key apps from smartphones using the display in the vehicle which now includes the Waze traffic app and Cisco WebEx.
Buyers are also offered the FordPass Connect on board modem which makes the vehicle a mobile wifi hotspot with connectivity for up to 10 devices and provides live traffic updates for the navigation.
The modem also provides vehicle health alerts, advising when service action may be needed, such as low oil life or failed bulbs; vehicle status, for checking fuel levels, alarm status and tyre pressures; door lock and unlock, to remotely secure the vehicle and its load compartment; and vehicle locator.
The FordPass app is flexible so that businesses with more than one vehicle can interact with their connected vehicles using a single account or via multiple accounts.
