Don Rogers Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 If Ford doesnt have enough sense to give us a manual transmission, maybe we can get it with a Fiat Doblo. The dimensions are very similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetrosA Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 If Ford doesnt have enough sense to give us a manual transmission, maybe we can get it with a Fiat Doblo. The dimensions are very similar. I'm sure the manual gearbox will be available in time, but the reality is that this is the US market. I'm certain a large majority of drivers don't even know how to drive a manual anymore. They sure as heck don't know to turn off the rear fog lights in good weather A lot of drivers here tend to drive at low RPMs in a four cylinder which is probably why they think four cylinder engines are "underpowered". You have to get them up around 3k to 5k to reach the torque moment. I've done this by shifting to 3rd at 50 mph to pass and it freaks passengers out. Until they learn to drive manual, leave the manuals overseas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlock Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 When I read the thread title, I had flashbacks of a weekend I once spent in Manila.... Oh... nevermind. :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REC Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 When I read the thread title, I had flashbacks of a weekend I once spent in Manila.... Oh... nevermind. Now there's a visual I wasn't quite prepared for.... REC Happily Transiting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlock Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 Effectively having the category to itself for the time being, Ford's pretty-much free to define it. And being North America, without anyone going after the price point, that means an automatic transmission. If, and only if, the Doblo uses a manual option to considerably lower the entry-level price point, would Ford even be likely to consider adding a manual option. Although it already exists in the EU and elsewhere, just having to support it in the U.S. adds a whole additional layer to the cost factor. And as efficient as both small engines and current transmissions have become, combined with the all-electric version, adding a manual version to boost fuel economy is pretty-much a nonstarter. Hopefully the TC will have garnered so much marketshare and insinuated itself into so many fleets that FIAT will keep the Doblo where it belongs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetrosA Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 Effectively having the category to itself for the time being, Ford's pretty-much free to define it. And being North America, without anyone going after the price point, that means an automatic transmission. If, and only if, the Doblo uses a manual option to considerably lower the entry-level price point, would Ford even be likely to consider adding a manual option. Although it already exists in the EU and elsewhere, just having to support it in the U.S. adds a whole additional layer to the cost factor. And as efficient as both small engines and current transmissions have become, combined with the all-electric version, adding a manual version to boost fuel economy is pretty-much a nonstarter. Hopefully the TC will have garnered so much marketshare and insinuated itself into so many fleets that FIAT will keep the Doblo where it belongs. Interesting that you mention fuel economy as a reason. When we were shopping for a car, I checked into the MPG ratings for the manual and auto version of what we were looking at. Almost without fail, the automatic meets or exceeds the MPG rating of the manual version for various brands. The main reasons we wanted manual were 1) My wife is from Europe and is used to them and 2) I prefer manual in icy and snowy conditions so I can reduce torque. You're right though, they don't save you any money on fuel at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luluyug Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 Interesting that you mention fuel economy as a reason. When we were shopping for a car, I checked into the MPG ratings for the manual and auto version of what we were looking at. Almost without fail, the automatic meets or exceeds the MPG rating of the manual version for various brands. The main reasons we wanted manual were 1) My wife is from Europe and is used to them and 2) I prefer manual in icy and snowy conditions so I can reduce torque. You're right though, they don't save you any money on fuel at this point. the duratech engine is basicaly a focus engine they also say that a focus beefed up tranny is used on the tc. maybe a manual tranny from a focus wagon could fit in the engine compartement. (i am not a mecanic). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-man Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I'm sure the manual gearbox will be available in time, but the reality is that this is the US market. I'm certain a large majority of drivers don't even know how to drive a manual anymore. They sure as heck don't know to turn off the rear fog lights in good weather A lot of drivers here tend to drive at low RPMs in a four cylinder which is probably why they think four cylinder engines are "underpowered". You have to get them up around 3k to 5k to reach the torque moment. I've done this by shifting to 3rd at 50 mph to pass and it freaks passengers out. Until they learn to drive manual, leave the manuals overseas ford use the MXT75 gearbox in connects here in UK,put this with the 110bhp t.d.c.i. engine then remap it to 135 bhp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlock Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 ford use the MXT75 gearbox in connects here in UK,put this with the 110bhp t.d.c.i. engine then remap it to 135 bhp Damn foreign cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REC Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 IF you recieve the survey after purchase from Ford, fill it out and return it. I thought it was just another survey... BUT. Around 10:30 this morning, I recieved a call from a "group conference" of engineers on the Transit project. For close to half an hour, they sought information/input/comments regarding the vehicle and whatever points I cared to mention - good, bad or indifferent. I brought up most of the comments that I've made, as well as others I've read here and on the UK Transit forum. It was interesting to say the least. I think they are honestly seeking to make sure they understand the general public's thoughts on the product, and it sounds like they will be looking into some of the issues brought up more in depth. I forgot the one that seems to be Madlock's most major concern - the computer and its continual failure. I remembered it just as soon as the call was concluded. I wish they had called when I was sitting at a computer - I would have read some of the posts from here. Anyway, we'll see what happens. My personal list of stuff wasn't huge, but had to do with the bare metal parts on the underside of the car, the resonant floor acting as a sound board for road noise, and the sound from the tin cans hooked to the radio by kite string. That was one that they seemed to be genuinely intersted in a complete understaning. I should have said "go drive one and try hearing the radio while driving." Didn't come to mind... Sooo, if you take the survey and give them your contact number, you may hear from the group too. Roland C. Happily Transiting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tone007 Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Automatic is fine for the TC, look at other fleet vehicles out there. The transmission does a fairly good job of shifting when it should, in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlock Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Automatic is fine for the TC, look at other fleet vehicles out there. The transmission does a fairly good job of shifting when it should, in my opinion. The fact of the matter is that the transmission is now such an integral element of a vehicle's performance and economy specifications, and they've been able to refine the technology so highly, even in a 4 speed, that the once-inherent disadvantages to fuel economy no longer exist and, all but the rarest of cases with the most expert drivers, they're almost invariably MORE efficient without most of the performance and behavioral compromises that once existed. Manual transmissions are being relegated to all but nostalgic performance vehicles and econoboxes looking to cut component costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirKit Breaker Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Dont go for the Doblo.................If you do you will regret it big time. The Doblo isnt in the same League as the Connect, in fact it isnt even on the same planet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlock Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Dont go for the Doblo.................If you do you will regret it big time. The Doblo isnt in the same League as the Connect, in fact it isnt even on the same planet. Much agreed. The Doblo is much more akin to a bloated HHR than TC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 You would have to source the shifter, cables, pedals, etc from Europe but I'm sure the swap could be done. Check out FocalJet.com where several people have switched from auto to manual. If you want more power google FSWerks. I'm sure Randy and Vic can provide what you want from a reflash to a full turbocharger kit. FYI: If you didn't already know. The TC engine has been used in the Focus since 2005 adn the 2.3 L version started in 2003. I think the auto transmission is the same one that has been used since 2000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan MI Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Not sure a manual transmissions would improve anything but it would be more fun to drive. JMHO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSWerksVP Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Not sure a manual transmissions would improve anything but it would be more fun to drive. JMHO! The ATX is the main reason I'm not owning a Transit right now. I'm dying to have a turbo transit, though, so maybe we'll just do the job here someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlschow Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 The ATX is the main reason I'm not owning a Transit right now. I'm dying to have a turbo transit, though, so maybe we'll just do the job here someday. That would be fun to see. I'm not an early experimenter, but I'm watching you guys who know how to do this stuff. Eventually I'll take steps to get more oomph out of my beloved TC. Of course those steps could be to sell it and get an EcoBoost model (car love is fickle). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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