How many business owners that use full-size vans would love to have something that gets upwards of 30 mpg combined? Odds are, most of them. Ford has just added an ecoNetic version of its big Transit van that is sold in Europe. This isn't the compact Transit Connect that is coming to the U.S. this summer but a full-size cargo hauler. Like the ecoNetic cars Ford is already offering, the van gets a tweaked high efficiency diesel, low rolling resistance tires, low drag wheel covers and an upshift indicator light. The Transit ecoNetic also gets a 70 mph speed limiter.
With the 2.2-liter diesel engine, the van gets 32.9 mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined cycle. Before all you diesel haters start complaining, yes the EU cycle tends to rate vehicles higher than the current EPA cycle. Although the EPA cycle is closer to real world for gas engines, it actually tends to underestimate real world performance of diesels. Conversely, the EU numbers tend to be closer to what diesels actually achieve in use.
The 115 hp diesel is available with a particulate filter that allows it to meet EURO V emissions standards.
PRESS RELEASE:
ICONIC FORD TRANSIT 'GOES GREEN' WITH NEW ECONETIC MODEL
BRENTWOOD, Essex, April 23, 2009 – Ford's ECOnetic low CO2 technology is coming to Ford's most popular commercial vehicle icon, the Ford Transit. On sale later this year, the new Transit ECOnetic is based on the front-wheel drive Transit 280 panel van with short wheelbase and 2.2-litre 115PS Duratorq TDCi engine. Target fuel economy is 39.2mpg*, while average CO2 emissions are a best in class 189 g/km.
Following the launch of ECOnetic models in Ford's Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo passenger car ranges, the company is now committed to continuing this affordable low CO2 approach in the commercial vehicle market. In addition to the new Transit ECOnetic, an ECOnetic version of its compact workmate, the Fiesta Van, will also go on sale later this year.
Steve Kimber, commercial vehicles director, Ford of Britain, said: “We appreciate that our commercial vehicle customers have a clear interest in saving fuel and lowering their cost of ownership. At the same time, environmental friendliness is also growing in importance for them, and with the new Transit ECOnetic they can achieve both.”
Transit ECOnetic – what's different?
- Optimised rolling resistance tyres (215/75R16) and low friction oil
- Green shift indicator light
- Modified engine calibration
- Standard 70mph speed limiter
- New low-drag wheel covers
Available as an option, a closed-loop, coated Diesel Particulate Filter (cDPF) enables Transit ECOnetic to satisfy the Euro Stage V emissions standards. The 115PS engine reaches its peak power at 3,500rpm, and delivers a maximum torque figure of 300Nm at 1,800 to 2,000rpm.
The Transit ECOnetic features the Durashift six-speed manual transmission (VMT-6). This offers a wider range of available gear ratios over the prior Durashift five-speed transmission, allowing better fuel economy at all speeds, while the power and torque upgrade offers rewarding performance on demand. The 'shorter' gearing in first gear allows for improved pull-away performance, while the 'longer' gearing in top provides improved highway fuel economy (around 10 per cent better compared with the combined NEDC figures), with reduced engine revs for a range of speeds and loads for the standard Transit configuration. For the ECOnetic version, longer gearing has been achieved through the fitment of a 4.36 final drive ratio.
Standard on Transit ECOnetic is Ford's Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system, including Hill Launch Assist (HLA). It also has a generous array of standard equipment, including the Ford Audio 6000 unit as well as load box safety equipment, including a full steel bulkhead and solid tie down hooks. Additional features, such as a trip computer (to monitor fuel performance), rear parking sensors and a new rear view camera with overhead seven-inch colour display, can also be ordered.
The Transit ECOnetic is as practical as any Transit. It offers 1,097kg gross payload (the standard Transit 280S van is 1,092kg), and the same load box volume of 6.5 cubic metres – using the SAE method of volume calculations.
Detail engineering for the Transit ECOnetic included reducing the availability of the heaviest options such as a second sliding door. However, all standard and optional safety and comfort features are available.
(* Fuel economy figures quoted are based on the European Fuel Economy Directive EU 80/1268/EEC which may differ from fuel economy drive cycle results in other regions of the world)
Ford Transit ECOnetic Technical Specifications
|
Engine type |
Duratorq TDCi 2.2-litre |
|
Displacement – cc |
2198 |
|
Bore mm |
86 |
|
Stroke mm |
94.6 |
|
Max power PS/kW |
115/85 |
|
at rpm |
3,500 |
|
at rpm |
1,800 to 2,000 |
|
Emission level |
Stage 5 ** |
|
Fuel Economy* |
|
|
Urban |
31.74/32.47** |
|
*Fuel economy figures quoted are based on the European Fuel Economy Directive EU 80/1268/EEC which may differ from fuel economy drive cycle results in other regions of the world. |
|
|
Front |
Independent MacPherson struts, variable rate coil springs, stabiliser bar and gas pressurised shock absorbers. |
|
Rear |
Single leaf springs, gas pressurised shock absorbers |
|
Brakes |
Dual-circuit, with self-adjusting servo-assistance. Front and rear discs. Standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Active Yaw Control (AYC), Roll Over Mitigation (ROM), Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Hill Launch Assist (HLA) |
Wheels and Tyres |
5 ½ J 16″ steel wheels with 215/75 R16 lower rolling resistance tyres |
|
Fuel tank capacity litres |
80 |
|
Weights* |
|
|
Payload (gross) |
1097 kg |
|
* All weight data refer to base version assuming full fluid levels and 90% fuel levels. |
|
|
Exterior Dimensions (mm) |
|
|
Overall height – laden |
2082 |
|
Overall height – unladen |
2089 |
|
Overall width (with/without mirrors) |
2374/1974 |
|
Wheelbase |
2933 |
|
Front overhang |
933 |
|
Rear overhang |
997 |
|
Turning circle kerb to kerb (m) |
10.8, wall to wall 11.4 |
|
Load length (max) |
2582 |
|
Load width (max) |
1762 |
https://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/new-ford-transit-econetic-rated-at-32-6-mpg-us-and-189-g-km-co/
2009-04-23T17:31:00+00:00