Why Pros With Mechanic Training Are Impressed by the Economical New Ford Transit
In recent years, the Canadian minivan market has been pressured by competition from SUVs and crossovers of all shapes and sizes. Ford is understandably looking to rekindle sales of vans, which have been a big seller for the company in the past. The 2019 Ford Transit Connect van is part of that effort, which is why it’s been packed full of features.
Does this mean that future mechanics will be seeing a whole lot more minivans in the coming years? Read on to find out!
Improved Fuel Economy and Two New Engines Will Impress Pros with Mechanic Training
Students in car repair training know that when it comes to vans, practical considerations are at the forefront. That’s why affordability is a top concern for the latest version of the Ford Transit. Retailing from $33,920 CAD, the vehicle lands in the more affordable bracket of the minivan market. In addition, fuel economy for this van is also fairly impressive.
The Ford Transit makes use of two diesel engines, a direct-injected 2.0 litre (offering 160 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque) and an ‘Ecoblue’ 4 cylinder turbodiesel. These new engines are all about economy, with the new 2.0 litre offering an automatic start and stop feature for urban driving, while the ‘Ecoblue’ is expected to push fuel consumption down to 12.75 km/litre. As students in mechanic training possibly know, those figures aren’t too shabby for a van!
Impressive Amounts of Space and Passenger Capacity
Moving a lot of people at once is ultimately what minivans like the Ford Transit Connect are all about. As a result, Ford has decided to offer multiple wheelbase options for this vehicle, including a major people-mover option that can accommodate seven passengers, and a less seat-heavy version that allows for five passengers.
While not as huge and roomy as many of the minivans of the last decade, the 2019 Ford Transit Connect is designed to appeal to retirees or small commercial users. Additional carrying power is also available to the owner through a substantial towing capacity of just over 900 kgs, making towing a trailer an easy option for this vehicle. The Ford Transit squeezes all of that into overall dimensions that are significantly smaller than competitors in the same bracket, such as the Honda Odyssey.
Style Injection May Shock Those with Car Repair Training Who Are Expecting an Unattractive Van
Taking inspiration from European brands, the new Transit Connect has undergone some key changes to differentiate it from other boxier minivans. This includes a major redesign to the vehicle’s nose and grill, with many noting the influence of Aston Martin’s classic features creeping into the visuals.
The vehicle also comes equipped with new HID headlamps with LED fog and accent lighting, while the interior boasts a 6.5 inch screen with digital assistant capacity. On a connectivity level, the vehicle is more than capable of distracting an entire cabin full of passengers, with a 4G LTE modem allowing connectivity for up to ten devices. This same set of passengers will be seated on new, easy-to-adjust seating, while the vehicle’s low reach floor will facilitate easy loading of heavy objects. All these creature comforts help to set this van apart. Does that mean future mechanics will see more of the Ford Transit and others like it in the coming years? Only time will tell.
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