Ford has updated the European-specification Turkish-built Transit Connect van and its Tourneo Connect passenger carrying variant ahead of the model line’s launch in the US this coming summer after its Chicago auto show debut last February.
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The Connect has freshened styling, new features and higher quality levels, Ford said, and will be launched on this side of the Atlantic in the summer.
Adopting the automaker’s so-called ‘kinetic design language’, the Connect has a new trapezoidal shaped front bumper and grille, new head and tail lamps and redesigned alloy wheels.
Inside there is a revised dashboard, new seats and interior colour scheme with new materials.
European versions will now have electronic stability (ESP) as standard range-wide; this includes anti lock brakes with brake assist, active yaw control, roll over mitigation (ROM) and roll movement intervention (RMI).
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By GlobalDataThe ROM and RMI system is integrated into the ESP and, while it applies braking to the front wheels, engine torque is reduced to zero. These combined actions generate understeer and reduce the vehicle’s road speed in order to decrease lateral acceleration and minimise the possibility of a rollover. As soon as the potential rollover situation has passed, the system stops the braking and engine intervention for normal driving to resume.
The new braking system electronics also include hill launch assist which uses the braking system to hold the vehicle on a gradient and prevent it from rolling. HLA maintains pressure to the braking system and provides a two-and-a-half second delay while the driver’s foot moves from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Brake hardware has also been upgraded to ventilated discs at the front and rear solid discs for all versions.
Standard features for Europe include power windows and a remote double locking system. There are three trim levels and a long list of options.
The European Transit Connect is offered in short wheelbase/low roof and long wheelbase (+25cm)/high roof versions while the passenger Tourneo Connect is long wheelbase, high roof only.
In some markets both the long and short wheelbase vans can also be ordered in a Crew Van configuration to provide seating for five.
The 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine is offered with three different power outputs and five speed manual transmission.
US models will have a two-litre I4 petrol engine and four-speed automatic transmission plus unique options such as Tool Link and Crew Chief tracking systems.
Ford has recently shown a concept model with battery electric vehicle powertrain developed in collaboration with Smith Electric Vehicles. The Transit Connect BEV will be launched in North America in 2010.
