Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Commercial Trucks, Crossovers/CUVs, Ford
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ford Transit Connect Taxi
Where better than New York for Ford to show off a taxi cab? And what better platform than the company’s new Transit Connect van? Ford’s Mark Fields and designer J. Mays were on hand for the unveiling of the Transit Connect Taxi Concept, and both were somehow amazed at the applause the concept generated. Seeing as how there were only a handful of us there and that the rest of the crowd consisted of Ford employees, we find it hard to believe there wouldn’t be applause aplenty. Seriously though, this is one fun cab. After spending some time in the regular fleet of bumblebee-colored Crown Vics this past week, we can attest that the Transit Connect Taxi has a lot of things that make it a natural improvement over current standard taxis. Our favorite was the panoramic roof that allows passengers to take in tall buildings with a single glance, but we also liked the flexible seating and cargo configurations, as well as the funky interactive infotainment system for the back seat. Although it looks a bit large in photos, the Transit Connect Taxi Concept actually has a small footprint vehicle and seems like it could go four-wide where the Vics can only manage three abreast. Check out the press release after the jump and all of our live high-res pics in the gallery.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading New York 2008: Mark Fields hails a Transit Connect Taxi Concept
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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Commercial Trucks, Ford
Click image for a hi-res photo gallery
In the era of the greener taxicab, the extremely capable Ford Crown Victoria is now gauche. Ford knows this, and later this morning in the Jacob Javits Center, it will unveil a new taxi concept that’s about as different from the Vic as you can get. The Ford Transit Connect Taxi that was spied last week combines spaciousness and utility with improved fuel economy and reduced emissions thanks to the 2.0-liter four it packs underhood (no hybrid, though, which would be really big in cities like New York). The yellow exterior is offset with matte grey accents, including the combo fascia/bumpers fore and aft.
Passengers ride in an airy cabin that feels even more so in the concept thanks to a vista roof that looks nice but would probably never make the cut on a real fleet vehicle. Ford and Microsoft’s Work Solutions package powers the system feeding content to the 13-inch display facing the backseat passengers. In addition to acting as the meter and electronic payment interface, the display also supplies “infotainment” info, live traffic and weather, and GPS functionality. Folks who still pay their fares with wallet cabbage can send their greenbacks forward through the concept’s fancy little orb in the rear partition (Ford calls it “Sputnik”).
As good as the Crown Victoria taxi is, its days are numbered as cities move to green up their taxi fleets. If the Transit Connect can handle the amount of punishment the Vic regularly endures, it’s a pretty compelling package. Not only is it more roomy and efficient than the Vic, it could probably be made readily accessible for disabled riders, too. Ford is intent on showing a variety of uses for its new Euro-sourced work van, and this seems like a good one.
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading New York ‘08 Preview: Ford Transit Connect Taxi - Son of Crown Vic
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Just as Ford’s F150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States for decades, their E-Series (née Econoline) vans have also been sales champs since before the dawn of the 1980s. A strong presence in the trades delivers forty percent of the full-size van market to the E-Series. Ford’s adding some new features and an upgraded interior to the E-Series for 2009 to help it continue to earn its keep. The full-sizers got an exterior nip and tuck last year, so the biggest body changes this year are rear doors that open wider.
Ford’s Work Solutions system is a natural addition, and it makes just as much sense in the work van as it does in a pickup. The biggest news is a revised instrument panel with — bar the door — four auxiliary switches. Actually, not having a mish-mash of toggles and rockers drilled through the dash face for aftermarket gear is a nice touch. The panel itself has an uncluttered, no-nonsense layout, though the vents look like they could chew off errant fingers. Also on the new dash is a navigation system, which should lessen the “I’m lost, so I’m going to lunch” calls from contractors. American cargo vans are unsung utilitarian heroes, and Ford doesn’t want its class leadership to slip away. Press release after the jump
Gallery: 2009 Ford E-Series
[Source: Ford]
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click above to view more high-res images of the Dacia Logan Pickup
You often hear us lament about the lack of a truly small, inexpensive truck for sale in the U.S. market except the aging Ford Ranger, and they don’t come much tinier or cheaper than the new Renault/Dacia Logan Pickup, which will start at €7,250 ($10,689 USD) when it goes on sale in Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey this year before expanding into other markets, though not the U.S. The Logan line already includes a sedan, a wagon and even a van, and the new Pickup gives Dacia a vehicle that will likely appeal to both consumer and commercial tradesmen alike. It can carry 800kg (1,763 lbs.) in its bed, accommodate items up to 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) in length, and stow 300 liters (10.6 cubic feet) of stuff behind its seats. Engine choices include a 1.6L gas motor making 90 hp and 94 pound feet of torque at 3,000 rpm, as well as two versions of a 1.5L dCi diesel producing either 70 hp and 118 pound feet of torque or 85 hp and 148 pound feet of torque from 1,900 rpm. The cabin, of course, is spartan and looks as if it were hewn from a single giant piece of plastic, but it gets the job done with no frills.
What say you, is there a market for the Logamino in the U.S., or did the return of the Subaru Brat in the form of the Legacy Baja quench our thirst for such vehicles? Don’t think too hard about it as it’s not going to happen, but we’re having fun imagining the shenanigans we could have with this Romanian export.
Gallery: Dacia Logan Pickup
[Source: Dacia]
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click above for more high-rez images of the International LoneStar
We give International full credit this daring design that we spied uncovered earlier this year. Still, it appears as though it’s taken a giant leap back three decades with the new Class 8 International LoneStar. International said its mission was to create a big rig that married aerodynamic efficiency with a unique look and a wide range of customization. Having asked truckers what they wanted, apparently customization means ‘more cowbell lights and chrome.’ As upright and retro Lite Brite as the design might be, it still gets gas mileage as good as the best aerodynamic semis on the market, according to International.
Inside, the cabin evokes the kind of ergonomic class that could have been meant for the outside — the sleeper has hardwood flooring for that at-home feeling. The truck comes with 42 factory options, 23 inside, 19 outside, and International itself said it wants to create the same kind of aftermarket following that MINI and Harley currently enjoy. If nothing else, the LoneStar is a rig more than worthy of Lone Starr.
Gallery: International LoneStar
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Click the image above to view a 15-image high-resolution gallery
The bulk of the Mercedes-Benz range gets alphanumeric designations. One of the few exceptions is the utility van which, versatile though it is, is not the first vehicle that would otherwise spring to mind in association with the name Sprinter. Duesseldorf-based tuning house Hartmann is doing its part to rectify that, however, with its new SP5 package.
The kit features an aero body kit with sportier front bumper, grille, side sills and rear apron, a new exhaust system with twin tailpipes, and though they don’t look it in relation to the towering height of the vehicle itself, the wheels have been upgraded to 19″ alloys with 255/55 R19 tires. Hartmann also does its magic in the cabin as well, with dash kits in wood or carbon fiber and chrome trim. Hartmann says its van conversion would make a good platform for a mobile office, promotional vehicle or delivery van for “exclusive products”, and offers an array of engine mods depending on the stock powertrain chosen to make it more, you know… sprinty. Don’t expect to see a brown one delivering your UPS packages anytime soon, though.
[Source: Carscoop]
Gallery: Hartmann Mercedes Sprinter SP5
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click above for more high-res images of the Ford Transit Connect
We reported last January that the European Ford Transit Connect would be coming to the U.S., and now we’ve learned that the Euro van is expected to join the assemblage of debuts at this year’s Chicago Auto Show. Speculation is that the front-wheel-drive mini-ish vans will hit showrooms as a 2009 model and come with a 4-cylinder engine. It is also said to have seating for five, but meant to compete with another, larger European transplant, the Dodge Sprinter. Since Ford hasn’t even acknowledged that the vehicle will be at Chicago, it hasn’t issued a price, but MSRP for the Sprinter Van is $32,150 and the Sprinter Wagon goes for $34,350. If nothing else, we’re happy to see Ford’s European migration this way continuing, and there’s even a Transit Connect SportVan! Now if we could work on some of those passenger car offerings…
[Source: The Car Connection]
Gallery: Ford Transit Connect
Gallery: Ford Transit Connect Sport Concept
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click above for high-res live shots of the 2009 Ford F-150
We already brought you official photography of the newly-revamped 2009 Ford F-150 just after midnight today, but that’s hardly enough attention for America’s best-selling vehicle. Now that the Blue Oval boys have rolled out the new truck into Cobo Arena - with help from Toby Keith and a cast of characters - we see little reason to think that the F-series won’t retain its crown.
Improving the F-150 “truck-ness” are several features, such as the tailgate step that we appreciated so much on larger Super Duty, and new fold-down steps that can be accessed from the side of the truck. Considering how deep the box is on this truck, the steps will definitely come in handy on the ranch or at the grocery store.
Ford’s slick Integrated Trailer Brake Controller is now available on a half-ton truck for the first time, and Trailer Sway Control helps keep the vehicle on the road while towing so that hopefully you won’t need to experience the effectiveness of Roll Stability Control and side-curtain airbags. Tow and payload ratings are as-yet announced; we expect to hear more by the Chicago Auto Show next month.
More after the jump…
Gallery: Detroit 2008: 2009 Ford F-150 - Live Reveal
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Click image for 5 more shots of the LoneStar
Big rigs are awesome. We freely admit that this isn’t our area of expertise, but when something particularly cool and truck-related comes along, we’re more than happy to share. Thanks to an Autoblog reader named Johnny, who sent in the photos you see here, something cool indeed came along.
We don’t know if the pair of rigs you see are concepts or a new production model that’s set to debut sometime soon. The Mid-America Trucking Show — the biggest show in the industry — is coming up in March, so these might be headed there. Our submitter at first thought that they might just be show vehicles, but some details lead him to believe that this could be a new production model sporting a nifty new hood design. The thing that has our tipster thinking “production” is that different sleeper configs are shown. The silver rig’s is taller and incorporates a large fairing, while the black one’s is less pronounced. Aside from the swoopy front end, the layout seems conventional, with exposed fuel tanks and the like. The final clue that these may be upcoming production trucks is on the rear mud flap of the black rig, which has something like “LongStar” or “LoadStar” emblazoned on it. (It’s LoneStar — see update below.) Most of International’s trucks have “Star” nomenclature, and the “Star” moniker on the pictured vehicle is not one currently in use. We’ll have to wait and see what plays out in the coming weeks, but one thing’s certain: these things are bitchin’.
Thanks for the photos, Johnny!
UPDATE: According to commenter FC, the trucks are examples of International’s new Class 8 flagship tractor, the LoneStar, will will be officially premiered at the Chicago Auto Show next month. Sadly, we don’t think one of these will fit in the Autoblog Garage. Thanks, FC!
Gallery: International’s mystery big rigs
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And by “in a U-Haul,” we mean it in the most literal sense. This is what happens at the end of a move when enterprising lads look for something to do with their now-empty truck. Enter one Mazda Miata that fits nicely inside the box hauler and Internet gold is born. Watch it after the jump. Thanks to Dan Strohl at Hemmings for the tip!
[Source: The Pansy Patrol]
Continue reading VIDEO: Doing burnouts in a U-HAUL
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