Ford Unveils 2019 Transit Connect Cargo Van at Work Truck Show
By Aaron Bragman
Competes with: Chevrolet City Express, Nissan NV200, Ram ProMaster City
Looks like: Ford barely changed anything, inside or out
Drivetrains: 2.0-liter four-cylinder, turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder diesel or compressed natural gas/propane 2.5-liter four-cylinder (fleet only); eight-speed automatic (six-speed only for CNG version) transmission; front-wheel drive
Hits dealerships: Fall 2018
Just a month after Ford took the wraps off of its new 2019 Transit Connect Wagon at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, the company has revealed the version meant to go to fleets and business owners: the 2019 Transit Connect Cargo Van. Making its debut today at the 2018 Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, the cargo van shares the same powertrain and styling updates as the wagon. It features a new diesel engine, some suspension changes, mild styling updates front and rear. It retains the same versatile layout and city-friendly dimensions that have made it a popular choice with fleet and business owners.
Exterior
Visually, the Transit Connect doesn't look all that different. There's a slightly modified grille and headlights, and the taillights are changed just a bit, but overall it looks largely the same as the outgoing model. The wagon has windows all around, but the cargo van has panel sides suitable for keeping items secure from prying eyes, and aiding in build-out options for the interior. The Transit Connect enjoys significant support from the aftermarket and upfitter community, which allows customers to build their vehicles to suit their business, from home delivery to carpentry services to dog grooming, according to Ford.
The cargo van still has the utility that has made it popular, with a 180-degree dual rear cargo door set-up and twin sliding side doors that enable a 48-inch pallet to be loaded via a forklift. Two wheelbases are available, with the short wheelbase model offering a tight 38.3-foot curb-to-curb turning circle. Towing capability is also significant for the class, with a 2,000-pound capacity when equipped with the towing package.
Interior
On the inside, it looks largely the same as before, with the exception of a big new optional 6.5-inch tablet-style touchscreen located on top of the center console. A host of new electronic features are available as well, including standard 4G LTE Wi-Fi connection with the ability to connect up to 10 devices. Sync 3 is optional, as is the Ford MyKey system that enables fleet administrators to set things like maximum speeds.
Under the Hood
Under the hood is a choice of powertrains. Standard is a gasoline-powered 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired to a new eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. Ford includes a heavy-duty battery and alternator to help run items with high electrical demand that might be added as part of an upfit. The first optional engine is a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, also mated to the aforementioned eight-speed automatic. The Transit Connect also offers a fleet-only 2.5-liter four-cylinder that runs on compressed natural gas or propane gaseous fuel; it is mated only to a six-speed automatic transmission. When the base 2.0-liter engine's capability to run E85 ethanol is included, the new Transit Connect Cargo Van can run five different fuels.
Safety
The front-end design has gotten some attention, adding standard forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking. It also includes standard precollision sensing with pedestrian detection. A backup camera is standard, while blind spot warning, cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist are optional.
The new Transit Connect Cargo Van will go on sale this fall at dealers nationwide alongside the new wagon.
Manufacturer images
Comments
Nobody except globalists consider these cuckmobiles as trucks. They’re not even vans, they are wagons with two seats and few windows. Like a panel AMC Pacer but even uglier. I’m still convinced that eurovans and worse, these little boxes, are being pushed while traditional American trucks, the symbol of freedom and self-reliance, are made too expensive for common men to afford so their only choice is a 2wd ugly eurovan that is slow and embarrassing to be seen in. Shame you out of freedom, take public transit instead, don’t start a business, rely on the government, give up your rights, your V8 4x4 produces too much Satan carbon and you have sinned.
This is not a truck and if you think it is you have already been brainwashed. They only thing this can carry is you, your balls in a purse in the passenger seat, and a trash bag containing the Constitution that has been shredded by a Chinese paper shredder in the cargo area.
BD,
Wow, man, what a pile of horse manure!
Who and what put drugs in your supper? The Russians?
Evidently only the guy from down under is entitled to share opinions.
Are you even allowed to have an opinion in your colony or is that banned just like guns?
Are you even allowed to have an opinion in your colony or is that banned just like guns?
Posted by: BD | Mar 7, 2018
OUCH!
That's gonna need some first aid.
Well said.
Add a few dowunder and a lot in Europe would disagree with what BD posted
As far as colonies go from what I can remember the US used to be a Colony of the then British Emoire. We used too be till 1801
@BD
They are Mini Vans. Like ATV's they have a purpose
BD,
Ban guns? Where, Australia? I suppose this is what happens when you spend too much time living in the Smokey Mtns, smoking loco weed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_in_Australia
"The University of Queensland estimates that Australia has around 300,000 active hunters investing a conservative $556,650,000 annually into the Australian economy."
25 million people and over half a billion in hunting alone. Australia has 15 times less people than the US. So if we were the size of the US we'd be spending $8 billion a year hunting.
BD, I'm against hunting unless you eat it or it's vermin and you don't need a semi or auto or side arm in Australia. Amazing isn't it.
There's a difference between ridiculously stupid gun laws and sane ones. Imagine teachers needing to arm themselves. Something is askew in the US.
Have fun being disarmed and ignorant in the land of poisonous snakes and red dust. I'll be here in the land of liberty enjoying my constitutionally-recognized civil rights with my American V8.
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