Ford delivers class-leading fuel efficiency and segment-first technology for Transit Connect

• Ford Transit Connect van to be offered with new and segment-first driver assistance technologies
• New 1.5-litre TDCi diesel offers class-leading 74.3mpg* – a six per cent improvement over outgoing 1.6-litre engine
• First-in-class features include Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Keeping Aid. SYNC 2 connectivity makes European van debut; MyKey available for the first time
• Improved Transit Connect available from summer 2015; model has fastest sales growth in its segment, up 93 per cent from the same period last year
• Ford also updates Transit Courier – the smallest ever Transit van – with 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine offering best-in-class 55.4mpg

Ford’s latest Transit Connect van will offer customers new powertrain options with class-leading fuel efficiency, and segment-first driver-assistance and connectivity technologies from the summer.

Ford is introducing a new high-efficiency 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine with CO₂ emissions of 99g/km and fuel economy of 74.3mpg in the ECOnetic model** – a six per cent improvement over the outgoing 1.6-litre TDCi engine.

In addition, the Transit Connect is the first vehicle in its segment to offer advanced driver assistance technologies including Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Keeping Aid, as well as being the first Ford commercial vehicle in Europe to feature the voice-activated SYNC 2 connectivity system.

Available in Van and Double-Cab-in-Van bodystyles with L1 and L2 variants and Kombi in L2 only, the Transit Connect has proved highly popular with European customers since being introduced in 2013, with sales growing faster than any rival. Year to date, there has been a 93 per cent increase in demand for the Transit Connect compared with the same period last year.

The Transit Connect offers a spacious and practical load area with total volumes of 2.9m³ and 3.6m³ with a full bulkhead, or 3.7m³ and 4.4m³ including the front loadspace area (L1/L2, measured to SAE). Payloads of up to 1,000kg are available, matching the best-in-class figure.

The model forms part of the completely renewed and expanded Transit line-up – alongside the Transit, Transit Custom and Transit Courier – that helped to make Ford the most popular commercial vehicle brand in Europe for the first quarter of 2015.

“The all-new Transit Connect has proved a real hit with European businesses thanks to its smart looks, great fuel economy and capable load space,” said Phil Hollins, Commercial Vehicle marketing, sales and service director, Ford of Europe. “With even lower fuel costs and amazing new technologies, Transit Connect delivers an even stronger proposition to our commercial customers.”

New fuel-efficient powertrains with improved performance

Ford’s new 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine meets stringent Euro Stage VI emissions standards and is introduced to the Transit Connect in two phases. An ECOnetic version producing 100PS and 250Nm of torque – up from 95PS and 230Nm on the outgoing model, is introduced this summer. The Transit Connect ECOnetic features Auto-Start-Stop and Active Grille Shutter technology as standard.

Additional variants of the 1.5-litre TDCi diesel will complete the Transit Connect line-up of Stage VI engines from spring 2016, when they will replace the existing 1.6-litre TDCi engines that remain available with 75PS, 95PS and 115PS until then.

A highly efficient petrol alternative is provided by Ford’s multi-award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which also meets Euro Stage VI emissions standards from the summer. Offering 100PS and 170Nm, the engine delivers 50.4mpg fuel efficiency and 129g/km CO₂ emissions.

State-of-the-art technologies enhance driver confidence and connectivity

Sharing a global platform with Ford’s latest passenger cars like the new Focus and Kuga, the Transit Connect also is able to benefit from the company’s advanced vehicle technologies:

• Traffic Sign Recognition provides the driver with the latest detected speed limit, cancellation signs and overtaking restrictions via the instrument cluster display
• Blind Spot Information System alerts drivers to situations when a passing vehicle is hidden in a blind-spot zone on either the left and right side of the vehicle
• Lane Keeping Alert and Lane Keeping Aid work together to help to prevent the driver from unintentionally drifting out of a lane when driving at high speeds. If the forward-facing camera detects the vehicle is straying from its lane, Lane Keeping Alert warns the driver with a vibration in the steering wheel. If no action is taken to correct the drift, Lane Keeping Aid applies steering torque to guide the vehicle back into its lane
• Auto High Beam switches the headlamps automatically between high beam and dipped beam when it detects oncoming traffic or a vehicle ahead
• SYNC 2 features a high-resolution, six-inch colour touch screen and enables advanced voice control of audio, navigation, climate control and mobile phones. Drivers are able to issue simple “one-shot” navigation destinations, and to ask the system to “play” a desired artist. Simply pushing the voice control button and saying “I’m hungry” will bring up a list of local restaurants to which you can then get directions via the navigation system
• MyKey enables owners – such as fleet operators – to programme a key that restricts the top speed and reduces the maximum volume of the audio system. MyKey can disable the audio system altogether if driver and passengers are not using safety belts, and can prevent the driver from deactivating safety technologies

In addition Transit Connect customers can now specify power-fold mirrors, with automatic operation when the vehicle is locked.

Ford updates smallest-ever Transit – the Transit Courier van

Ford is also introducing more fuel efficient engines for the Transit Courier – Ford’s first-ever small Transit van – strengthening its position as the most fuel-efficient petrol and diesel vehicle in its class. The B-car-sized Transit Courier is a compact integrated-style van which provides payloads up to 660kg.

Fuel consumption for the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine equipped with Auto-Start-Stop is improved by a further three per cent to 55.4mpg, with 115g/km CO₂ emissions. Diesel fuel economy from the 95PS 1.6-litre TDCi with Auto-Start-Stop remains at a class-leading 76.3mpg and 97g/km CO₂.**

* The declared fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions are measured according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EC) 692/2008 as last amended. Fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions are specified for a vehicle variant and not for a single car. The applied standard test procedure enables comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers. In addition to the fuel efficiency of a car, driving behaviour as well as other non-technical factors play a role in determining a car’s fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. CO₂ is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. Results in MPG also correspond to this European drive cycle and are stated in imperial gallons. The results may differ from fuel economy figures in other regions of the world due to the different drive cycles and regulations used in those markets.

** Fitted with the optional 100 km/h (62 mph) fixed speed limiter.