Ford Transit SportVan Limited Edition goes Red

Four years after the presentation of the Transit SportVan and Ford UK continues to release special edition variants of its commercial vehicle. Following the sold-out limited production models finished in Performance Blue with white stripes (500 examples), Sea Grey with silver stripes (80), Panther Black with silver stripes (500), Frozen White with blue stripes (80) and Ink Blue with silver stripes (150), Ford is now launching the Transit SportVan with a Colorado Red paintwork and Le Mans-style white bonnet stripes.

The latest special edition Transit SportVan is based on the 260 short wheelbase model with front wheel drive, and is powered by a 140-horsepower 2.2-litre TDCi diesel engine matched to a six-speed manual transmission.

Aside from the unique paintwork, the SportVan also gets twin exhaust tail pipes, 18-inch graphite color alloy wheels shod in low profile 235/45 tires, front and rear lower spoilers, side skirts and extended wheel arches. Optionally, buyers can add LED cargo lights and LED daytime running lights.

Inside the cab, the driver will find velour trim along with standard air conditioning, six CD-player with remote steering-column-mounted controls, cruise control, power windows, powered and heated mirrors, leather steering wheel, tinted glass, leather gearshift knob and a perimeter alarm.

Also standard are the power deadlocks, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, front fog lights, a load area protection kit, ABS, ESP and driver and passenger airbags. Available options include leather seats and a navigation system with a 5-inch color display.

The red SportVan will be produced in a limited number of 100 units and will go on sale in Britain at end of October with prices starting at £22,630.

Ford and Chrysler Group Recalling Certain Models

The Chrysler LLC Group and Ford Motor Co. have announced two separate (and not related) recalls on some of their vehicles.

Starting with Ford, the Detroit automaker is recalling a total of 33,728 of its 2010MY Transit Connect vans manufactured from December 5, 2008 through May 31, 2010 over a potential safety issue concerning the retention pushpin located on the headliner above the B-pillar trim on both sides of the vehicles.

"During vehicle testing the vehicle exceeded head injury criteria requirements set by the standard," said Ford in a release posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. Ford said the safety recall for the Transit Connect is expected to begin "on or about" July 19, 2010.

The Chrysler Group is recalling an unspecified number of 2010MY left hand drive Jeep Liberty, Dodge Nitro and Ram 1500 Truck, as well as right and left hand drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles, to fix potential defective brake tubes that could lead to lead to loss of brake fluid.

The automaker said dealers will replace the brake tubes free of charge, with the safety recall expected to begin in August.

Boston Says "Yes, Please" to Ford Transit Connect Taxis

The city of Boston, Massachusetts has become the first city in America to officially approve of Ford's Transit Connect (2010 North American Truck of the Year) as a taxi.

Mark Cohen, Boston PD Licensing Division director, says this about the Transit Connect: "It's the closest thing to a purpose-built vehicle for taxi use that I've seen in 25 years." I guess he's never been to the UK...

For many places, the issue with replacing the large, Panther-based Crown Victorias has been the regulation of vehicles that are allowed to perform taxi duties. A successor would have to meet various size/measurement/cargo/safety standards before approval, and the city of Boston has deemed the TC Taxi worthy of the job.

Why is it a good follow-up? "Its open architecture provides excellent interior headroom and passenger visibility and, with 6.5 inches of ground clearance, passengers step easily through the sliding doors."

So it's roomy and ingress/egress are a cinch. That's important, but another factor has been on everyone's mind when it comes to purchasing fleet vehicles: efficiency.

The TC Taxis come standard engine with a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder and an automatic transmission, which are said to return up to 30% improved fuel economy. Other options include packages that can convert the taxis to run on either compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied propane gas (LPG), which will take cleanliness, efficiency, and cost savings to an even higher level.

"According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CNG is less expensive and burns cleaner than gasoline, resulting in 30 to 40 percent less greenhouse gas emissions. Propane also burns cleaner than gasoline."

CNG tanks can be stored behind the rear seats and there's still enough room for luggage, says Ford.

Other factory-installed fleet-vehicle necessities (or bonuses) include vinyl flooring, third-row windows, and a "wiring upfit" package. The rear seat (available in vinyl for durability and late-night clean-ups) was also moved back 3 inches for improved legroom, and a heating/cooling system was added for second-row passenger comfort.

When it comes to future tech, Ford is working with CMT (Creative Mobile Technologies) "to integrate premier payment processing and passenger information technologies in the taxi, including an 8.4-inch electronic infotainment and navigation screen that shows cab fares, news, weather, sports scores and stock ticker."

Congratulations, Boston, on becoming Test Market #1. Let's hope this works, because those Crown Vics are getting ratty.

By Phil Alex

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Ford Stops Production of Transit in China Over Accelerator Pedal Issue

While Toyota is the main car manufacturer to be affected by the faulty accelerator pedals (not to be confused with the floor-mat related sticky accelerator issues) made by Indiana-based supplier CTS Corp., it isn't the only one.

The Associated Press as well as the USA Today reported today that Ford has halted production of its Transit Classic van in China because it has a similar type of pedal assembly made by CTS as the ones blamed for Toyota's recall in the States.

"When anybody has an issue in the industry, we check everything about the Ford system and production process," said Ford CEO Alan Mulally. "It's our assessment right now that this is very isolated."

It is also reported that Toyota has issued a new recall of 75,000 vehicles in China for the same matter.

Earlier today, Toyota said that it is investigating the issue on its European models also.

Thanks for the tip 3Deuce27! , Via: USA Today

SEMA Show: Ford's Tricked Out Focus, Edge, Flex and Transit Models

Wrapping up the news related to the products of the Ford Motor Company that will be on display at the annual aftermarket jamboree in Sin City next week, here's the rest of the 'souped-up' Ford vehicles that include a pair of Transit vans and Focus Coupes as well as a Flex and an Edge. Details and pics after the break.

From Ford Press Release:

2010 Ford Transit Connect by Azentek and Grant Products

Azentek and Grant Products teamed up to build this unique "Travel Inn" Ford Transit Connect van. Designed for people who are always on the go, it comes complete with the Azentek in-vehicle computing and navigation radio, and a Concept DVD for watching movies.

You can cook while tailgating with your mini pull-out kitchen and even sleep in complete comfort in the upper bunk bed. You also will drive in style with the Grant Products body kit, race-inspired steering wheel and GAC interior. The vehicle features 18-inch BBS wheels with a Winona PVD chrome finish and Bridgestone Firestone tires.

2010 Ford Transit Connect by Ford Vehicle Personalization

This 2010 Transit Connect was developed by the Ford Vehicle Personalization team and it features Genuine Ford Accessories, Ford Licensed Accessories and various personalization concepts. Inspired by West Coast beaches, the vehicle is presented in a soft anodized Metallic Gold exterior paint with a large energetic side graphic depicting young people playing sports and having fun on the beach. Various racks and carriers on the exterior secure your favorite outdoor gear.

The interior is the main focus of this custom Transit Connect, showcasing the flexibility of space in the cargo area and the ability to create a realm of personal use around this vehicle rather than strictly commercial/business usage. Shown with two seats, the cargo area will house an audio wall with a custom audio/video system, a skateboard rack displaying four skateboards and a rear-mounted LCD flip-out flat-screen monitor with video game console.

2010 Ford Edge "RallyE" by Santini Paint

Santini Paint, combined with the talent of Steve Stanford Design, has taken the Ford Edge crossover to a level of design utilizing influence from the old-school British racing era, tuner cars and a little rally car, so that this "soccer mom" grocery-getter becomes the "cool" car for the family.

With a few inches out of the suspension, the big wheel and tire combination, 3dCarbon body kit, British Racing Green color and an asymmetrical competition stripe paint scheme with some interior accents added in, Santini's Ford Edge becomes a "Coolover."

2009 Ford Focus by FSWerks

In its constant search for more power, the FSWerks crew has taken a 2009 Ford Focus Coupe and pushed it to the edge. Utilizing many years of racing, fabricating and powertrain experience, this transformed Ford Focus is now pushing more than 500 horsepower, making it one serious track Focus.

2009 Ford Focus by Creations n' Chrome

Creations n' Chrome has taken green technology to the extreme with its 2009 Ford Focus. The exterior starts with an outrageous green chrome finish using Cosmichrome water-based spray-on plating technology, 3dCarbon Euro Series six-piece body kit and lightweight Work Emotion wheels. To increase engine efficiency and aerodynamics, an FSWerks turbo kit and H&R coil-over suspension are added. The interior was custom refinished from top to bottom with House of Color paint and custom Katzkin leather.

2010 Ford Flex by Falken Tire

Breaking the mold of cookie-cutter project vehicles on oversized chrome rims, Falken Tire has envisioned the perfect blend of traditional "lowrider" styling and a 2010 platform while utilizing today's finest full-size CUV, the Ford Flex. Rolling on 22-inch Falken S/TZ04 tires and wire- spoke Dayton wheels, this ride will surely earn the respect of everyone from old-school purists to new-age tuners. Break the mold and Flex Your Style.

Ford Transit Minibus gets All-Wheel Drive Option

Ford's British division has added an all all-wheel drive option to its 15-seater Transit minibus. The AWD system, which automatically provides torque flow to the front wheels when traction loss at the rear is detected, costs an additional £3,995 and is available with the 140-horsepower 2.4-litre 140PS Duratorq TDCi diesel engine equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The price

According to the company, compared with the standard rear-wheel-drive Transit minibus, the additional front axle weight is 70kg or 154 lbs while the rear axle weight is 10kg or 22 lbs heavier on the AWD model.

"We've had tremendous interest in AWD from construction, roadside assistance and utility companies," said Ford of Britain, commercial vehicles director, Steve Kimber On top of that we know that taxi companies and schools may also benefit from extra traction in many every-day situations."

Ford Launches Limited Edition Transit SportVan in White

In what could be described as the "white van man's" ultimate drive, Ford UK has launched a special edition version of its Transit SportVan in white with Le Mans-style blue bonnet stripes that will be produced in a limited run of just 80 units. In par with the classic Transit SportVan livery of Performance Blue with white stripes that is currently sold out, the white SportVan is spec'd up with twin exhausts, 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in low profile 235/45 tyres, front and rear lower spoilers, side skirts and extended wheel arches.

The model is based on the short wheelbase Transit with front wheel drive and is powered by a 140 HP 2.2-litre TDCi diesel engine that is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Transit SportVan's interior features include velour trim, air conditioning, six CD-player with remote 'steering-column'-mounted controls, cruise control, power windows, power and heated mirrors, leather steering wheel, tinted glass, leather gearshift knob and a perimeter alarm.

On-the-road prices have been set at £22,030. Aside from the new white finish, two other options remain available for the SportVan, Panther Black with silver stripes, and Sea Grey with silver stripes.