Dunno

Double hinged doors will probably be an option, or maybe the standard fit in North America as they are now. The Mercedes Vito, for example, is offered with either double doors or a lift gate in the back. I wonder how this might affect the prices of the remaining current-generation Transit Connects when the new one hit the dealer's lots? I might be able to live with a power deficit if it saves me a few bucks.

I'm really excited to hear this. The Transit Connect has been an enormous success judging from the sheer numbers of them I see every day. This should encourage Ford to bring over some more work vans. I just hope the full size Transit comes with a diesel engine, and/or the Transit Connect gets a diesel for North America eventually. I had heard rumours of Mercedes bringing the Vito over here as well, but I'd rather deal with a Ford dealer than a Mercedes dealer anyway.

Back in May there were several short news stories in the automotive press saying that Mercedes was thinking about bringing the Vito to North America. It's been pretty quiet since then. Has anyone heard anything more about this? Diesel power, rear wheel drive, just slightly larger than a Transit Connect...it all sounds good. Now if they can just keep the price down below $45,000....

I saw one of those at the Auto Show in Toronto recently. I think could you park a Transit Connect inside that thing. Having always been kinda into the van thing (I was born in the '70s. Could that be it?) I think it's really cool to see all these new vans coming over here.

Having experienced technicians ready to service the engine is definitely a plus (and one of the strongest arguments I've heard against a Transit Connect diesel in North America). The other thing to consider, though is the emissions laws over here. The 2.0 litre TDI only meets the emissions standards if it is lightly loaded. So, in a Golf or Jetta it's ok, but anything Tiguan or bigger it would likely need urea injection (Blue-whatever VW calls it), which in turn means some extra engineering work for VW, and added expense and trouble for an operator of said vehicle. I really like diesels. I enjoy driving them and working on them, so while I'm disappointed that there aren't more over here, I can see why that is. Plus the NHTSA and Transport Canada might be mandating a recall on the TDI for high pressure fuel pump failures. I'm watching closely to see how that pans out.

I had a chance to see the Caddy up close last summer in Germany. It compares very well with the Transit Connect in size and features. There's also a "Caddy Life" variant that's a bit more plush inside (more for personal use than commercial use). I doubt VW will ever bring it over to North America, and if they do, they'll leave the TDI behind. They're more interested in building bland sedans now to boost sales. I'm sure it will work for them, but as far as I'm concerned, my next vehicle is going to be a Transit Connect.

I kept searching and found articles saying that pretty much the entire Ford fleet will have an Ecoboost option in the near future. I'd love a manual too but I've given up on that dream as well! We'll see. The 1.6 Ecoboost produces 185hp. That would be kinda cool...

I just logged on to ask the same thing. I've been scouring the 'net for an answer but so far can't find anything. It seems likely as Ford seems pretty enthusiastic about their Ecoboost engines. I reluctantly accept that we'll likely never see a diesel Transit Connect here in North America, but an Ecoboost option mated to a usable transmission would be a good alternative. I know the Transit Connect is supposed to be a bland utility box on wheels but the car enthusiast in me keeps looking for something to make it just a little bit fun.

Just out of curiosity, does the floor extension attachment hardware pick up on the holes that the wagon's rear seats would attach to?

I read an article that said Ford conducted a survey which showed virtually no interest in a diesel option for the North American Transit Connect. Maybe that's the opinion of fleet owners who can write off their fuel costs or something, who knows. Fair enough, I suppose. After all, the Transit Connect is offered as a commercial vehicle and not a daily driver. The only solid argument I've read is one that pointed out that Ford would have to invest heavily in training for its technicians to support in-service diesels, whereas every Ford tech already knows the good old 2.0 Duratec. I'd still like to get in touch with Ford to offer my thoughts. I tried to find a Ford Canada representative at the Toronto Autoshow recently, but I couldn't find any. It was getting close to closing time and I guess they had all taken off already.

Has there been any updates on this? I've been looking around online but I can only find very old news articles that predate the Transit Connect's North American debut.

I've been in that situation and it sucks, absolutely. I keep harping on the diesel option because I think it would be the best type of engine for a vehicle like this. I heard a saying once that went, "People buy horsepower but they drive torque". A diesel could give the fully-loaded Transit Connect the grunt it needed to get out of its own way. Don't most (if not all) of the other Ford Commercial Vehicles available in North America come with a diesel option?

I've been reading the Ford Focus forums for information on engine/transmission modifications to dream up some "what if?" ideas for the Transit Connect. I seem to remember reading the general consensus is that the automatic transmission will have a short life if mated up to turbo engine with any meaningful power output. I think the best and worst thing about the Transit Connect is that it is exactly what Ford says it is: A small work van. Asking any more of it might be disappointing. I still think that a small diesel mated to a transmission with useful ratios would make this great van even better. I'm no automotive engineer, but since they ALREADY HAVE THEM overseas I can't be that far off.

Ford's Canadian website now shows black and silver as colour options. I'm very happy to see that, but I'd still like to have a diesel option. The Canadian International Auto Show takes place in Toronto in a couple weeks. I intend to spend some time at the Ford booth and ask some questions...