Small van is big on value.

The Ford Transit Connect is a unique vehicle, a compact panel van that has been sold in the United States and in Canada since 2009. Its history, however, dates to 2002 when the Ford Motor Company launched this vehicle. Ford taps a pair of joint ventures or subsidiary companies in Turkey and Romania to build the boxy van, exporting it to scores of markets around the globe.

Compact Van

The Transit Connect was developed by Ford Europe, replacing the Ford Courier van which had been marketed since 1991. That earlier and smaller van had separate passenger and cargo compartments, unlike the Transit Connect which combines these two sections of the vehicle. This front-wheel-drive model is underpinned by the same platform found in the Ford Focus and is powered by a 2.0-liter (121 cubic inches) inline-four cylinder gasoline engine that is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive or a 5-speed manual transmission. Only the automatic transmission is sold in North America. In some markets, a 1.8-liter (110 cubic inches) turbo-diesel engine is also offered.

In Europe and elsewhere, the Transit Connect is marketed as both a panel van and as a transport van. With the latter, seating is for up to five people and the vehicle is called the Tourneo Connect.

Exported Model

In North America, the Transit Connect is sold as a panel van or as a passsenger van, and is positioned to compete against the Chevrolet HHR and the now defunct Chrysler PT Cruiser. However, when the Transit Connect leaves the Turkish factory for the United States, they arrive as passenger vans with rear seats and seat belts, and with rear windows intact. This configuration allows for commercial versions of the Transit Connect to escape a 25 percent import tax on such vehicles, with a Ford supplier converting each model before sending it to dealer showrooms.

The current Transit Connect was updated in 2009, just as it was being readied for North American export. This vehicle’s engine features an aluminum head and block with a cast iron exhaust manifold and crankshaft. Featuring four valves per cylinder the pistons are of die-cast aluminum construction and the connecting rods utilize powdered metal material. The engine has a 10-to-1 compression ratio and is rated at 136-horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 128 foot-pounds of torque at 4,750 rpm.

TC Dimensions

The 2012 Transit Connect resides on a 114.6-inch wheelbase and is 180.6 inches long, 70.7 inches wide and 79.3 inches tall. When configured as a van, the Transit Connect offers 65.1 cubic feet of passenger volume, extended to 132.1 cubic feet in the passenger van. The panel van seats two people, the passenger van seats up to five.

Cargo volume is 129.1 cubic feet behind the front row seats in the cargo van and 78.4 cubic feet behind the second row passenger seats in the passenger van. With second row seating folded, cargo capacity increases to 118.7 cubic feet in the passenger van. This vehicle has a 1,600 pound towing capacity and a gross vehicle weight rating of 5,005 pounds for the cargo van and 4,965 pounds for the passenger van.

Economy & Features

Fuel economy for the 2012 Ford Transit Connect is 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway with the panel van and 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway with the passenger van. Retailing from $21,810, this vehicle is available in four trim levels and offers such standard amenities as air-conditioning, a front overhead storage area with net, an AM/FM stereo with two speakers, a 6-way manual driver’s seat and stability control.

Popular options include Ford SYNC, an upgraded audio package, daytime running lamps and a reverse sensing system.

Other Transit Connects

The Ford Motor Company has expanded the Transit Connect line to offer compressed natural gasoline and pure electric versions for commercial consumption. This vehicle is also finding its way into taxi fleets in Boston, Chicago, New York and elsewhere, in the fleet of Canada Post, demonstrating its ability to operate in a variety of different capacities.

Matthew C. Keegan is editor and publisher of “Auto Trends Magazine.” Matt is also a contributing writer for Andy’s Auto Sport and affiliated websites, an aftermarket supplier of quality auto parts including Ford Flex parts and Ford Escape parts.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

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