The Ford Transit Connect is a compact panel van manufactured and marketed by Ford since 2002. Developed by Ford of Europe, the model line replaced sedan-based vans (Ford Escort and Ford Courier vans) with a dedicated commercial vehicle platform. The model line is the second-smallest vehicle of the Ford Transit range, positioned between the Ford Transit Courier LAV and the Ford Transit Custom LCV/MPV. In line with other Ford Transit variants, passenger-oriented models (in Europe) are marketed as the Ford Tourneo Connect with side windows and rear seats.
The first and second-generation Transit Connect has been imported to North America from the 2010 model year. To circumvent the 25% "chicken tax" on imported light trucks, all examples have been imported as passenger vans, with cargo vans converted to the intended configuration after their importation. In the region, the Transit Connect does not have a direct predecessor; the closest vehicle to its size was the standard-length Ford Aerostar cargo van, which ceased production in 1997.
The first-generation Transit Connect was assembled by Ford Otosan (Kocaeli, Turkey) along with Ford Romania (Craiova, Romania). For the second generation, Ford of Europe shifted production to its Ford Valencia Body and Assembly facility (Almussafes, Valencia, Spain). For 2022, a third generation of the Tourneo Connect was released; based on the Volkswagen Caddy, the model line is assembled by Volkswagen in Poland.
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First generation (2002)
The Transit Connect was introduced in Europe in October 2002, replacing the 3-door Escort van and the smaller Fiesta Courier. Adopting the compact panel van form factor of the Opel Combo C and the Renault Kangoo, the Transit Connect was a purpose-built commercial vehicle design rather than an adaptation of a station wagon.
Sharing little more than its nameplate with the much larger Transit, the Transit Connect was a commercial-grade variant of the first-generation C170 Ford Focus, then shared between both European and North American markets. The model line was offered in two wheelbases; the long-wheelbase configuration was fitted with a raised roof. A second sliding door was available as an option. As with the full-size Transit, Ford offered the Tourneo Connect as a leisure activity vehicle with two sliding doors.
In its first year on the North American market, the Transit Connect was awarded "North American Truck of the Year 2010" at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).
2006 update
In 2006, the Transit Connect was facelifted with a new horizontal fish-gill style front grille design with the Ford emblem on it rather than on the bonnet.
2009 update
Since mid-2009, the Transit Connect has been imported to the United States and Canada. First shown in the United States at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, the 2010 production model was introduced at the following year's show on 11 February 2009.
The introduction of the North American variant coincided with a mid-cycle facelift which includes a restyled front grille, a deeper front bumper and a new dashboard featuring the switchgear and instrument pod from the C307 Focus.
Initially, only the long-wheelbase version of the van, outfitted with a 2.0L four-cylinder petrol engine and 4 speed 4F27E, was offered in North America; elsewhere, the 1.8L diesel engine and 5 speed manual transmission was the only available powertrain. The 2.0L Duratec DOHC I-4 gasoline engine has 136 hp @6300rpm, and 128 lb.-ft. of torque @4750 rpm. It specifies minimum 87 octane gasoline and fuel economy is 21 mpg city/27 mpg hwy and 23 mpg combined.
An electric version followed in 2011, converted by Azure Dynamics Corporation at a U.S. facility.
To build interest and awareness in North America, Transit Connects specifically equipped as "mobile showrooms" were displayed at industrial parks and other venues in 13 U.S. urban areas in May 2009, with the goal of offering 3,000 test drives to small business owners.
With model year 2011, Ford offered the Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon in the US and Canada, a passenger version of the van — with seating for five, rear windows that opened for ventilation, blind spot awareness, rear view camera, larger alloy wheels, body-colour grille, and front fog lamps.
The Transit Connect Wagon was the first Ford minivan since the 2007 discontinuation of the Freestar, though it was closer in size to the standard length Ford Aerostar sold from 1986 to 1997.
<gallery widths="200">
Ford transit connect rear.JPG|Rear (pre-facelift)
File:2009 Ford Transit Connect T220 L90 1.8 Rear.jpg|Ford Transit Connect rear (first facelift)
File:2013 Ford Transit Connect 90 T230 1.8 Front.jpg|Ford Transit Connect (second facelift)
File:2013 Ford Transit Connect 90 T230 1.8 Rear.jpg|Second facelift model rear
</gallery>
Trim levels
In the U.S., the Transit Connect was available in two different trim levels, which are XL and XLT. For passenger models, an XLT Premium model was offered.
Dimensions
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|+Key Transit Connect (1st generation) cargo area dimensions
! rowspan=4 colspan=4
! colspan=2 | SWB !! LWB
|-
! Exterior
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|-
! WB
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|-
! Interior
|
|
|-
! rowspan=2 | Low Roof
! Exterior
! Interior
! rowspan=2 | Volume
| colspan=2 rowspan=2 |
| rowspan=2 style="background:#ddd;" | N/A
|-
|
|
|-
! High Roof
|
|
! Volume
| colspan=2 style="background:#ddd;" | N/A
|
|}
;Notes