Test Drive Ford Transit Connect 2009 - 2010

Ford Transit / Tourneo Connect. Haute couture

Ford Transit / Tourneo Connect. Price: from 759,000 rubles. On sale: since the autumn of 2009
Russia began selling updated Ford Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect models. The philosophy of the Blue Oval designers was that the modified versions of the former, sufficiently successful models should be interested in not only corporate, but also private clients.
The Connect model appeared in 2002, and since then, 600,000 cars have been sold in Europe. In popularity, it is not necessary to doubt, but it is necessary to take into account the fact that in the European market the share of commercial equipment is 15% of the total fleet of passenger cars. In Russia, the situation is different, our share of the Commance is only 4%. A significant impact on the change in the situation can be provided by the symbiosis of four factors that the proposed model has: versatility, functionality, price and cost of ownership. These parameters have become a criterion for assessing cars during the test, held on the roads of Germany.
The narrow streets of the Bavarian towns, the serpentines of the rural highway, small industrial zones in this landscape of Ford Transit Connect fited very organically. But at the very beginning of the dough there was a funny story, demonstrating how public opinion is being formed. It was worth us with a colleague to stop for a photographing in the picturesque quarter of one of the towns, as from one of the houses, in the yard of which was the repair, a couple of workers were not from local. Eh, the colleague spoke to me that we violate the rights of the private territory, flashed in my head. But the workers were customized friendly and examined the car with interest. First of all, they looked inside the van, they estimated, whether a small concrete mixer facing the courtyard, and bags with cement fit. Apparently, the size of the cargo compartment they were satisfied. And this is despite that at our disposal there was a SWB version with a short base and a low roof. In this case, the car with a length of 4.275 meters has a freight space with a volume of 2.8 m3, which with a folded front seat increases to 3.4 m3. The long-base version (LWB) in the standard has the volume of the freight compartment of 3.7 m3. Perhaps the best cars in this class. To change the exterior, marked with new bumper and grille, made in the branded Ford-style, as well as a new front and rear lighting, our potential buyers were calmly, they say, the appearance on the quality of the workhorse does not affect. The culmination of the scene was the inspection of the cabin solved by Ford designers in the style of S-Max and Fiesta models. Match a peculiar charm of the car with utility of the vantor turned out to be higher than the forces of Turkish workers, so they returned to the discussion of the cargo zone, periodically throwing glances to the concrete mixer. In English, augmented by gestures, we tried to explain to our interlocutors that there are several options for doors: you can choose one or two side sliding doors, and the rear can either be disintegrated, or one opening up. In general, with the role of the commruy workers, my colleague with a colleague, and the prototype was not sold only for two reasons: first, our test was not completed, and secondly, at that moment we could not answer the main issue of potential buyers How Much?.
As a power unit for the new Ford Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect, three versions of the 1.8-liter DUTORQ TDCI motor are available. The base model and model in Trend specification are equipped with 75-strong engines with a torque of 175 nm, but the motor capacity is offered as a power of 90 liters. with. and torque in 220 nm. The same motor is offered in the configuration of Limited. The most powerful, 110-strong engine with a turbine with a variable geometry and an overboost power increase mode is equipped with Sport equipment. This engine is not only the most powerful, but also the most economical in the line with a mixed cycle, it consumes only six fuel liters per 100 km. Our car is equipped with a 90-strong turbodiesel, which allows a ving of not only easy to touch, but also very tightly to gain the speed that in the cargo compartment Ballast weighing in half a thin, you quickly forget. A complete sense of the control of the car complements the excellent operation of a 5-speed manual transmission (all models are equipped with such a KP) short moves of the lever, a clear inclusion of gears. You can not say anything, the Ford transmission features have been preserved in the commercial vehicles. The suspension design in the updated models remained unchanged: ahead of McPherson with a cross-stability stabilizer, behind one-class springs and transverse stability stabilizer for versions with increased load capacity. In this case, the suspension did not seem overly tough me. And if in the case of Transit Connect, I made an amendment to the cargo, then recreated on Tourneo, noted a completely comfortable ride and on the passenger version, by simplying this model for use, let's say, as a taxi.
It is worth noting the work of auxiliary electronic systems, starting with ABS, which is a component of the ESP system of increasing stability. In addition, ABS has the function of helping the start of movement on the rise (HBA) after the driver releases the brake pedal, the pressure in the brake system is retained for another 2.5 seconds. The ESP also integrated the system of preventing overturning and assistance at the beginning of tipping.
If you return to the TourNeo model, then you need to mark the flexibility in the interior configuration. The second row of seats is distributed individually and in various proportions, and the long-base version of Tourneo Connect can be ordered with an additional third number of seats. Thus, at your disposal an eight-month car. Moreover, even in this option, it is possible to do with one sliding door. The high roof allows passengers to move freely inside the cabin. Agree, such a car can become a good competitor to family mini-Ven.
Ford Motor Company is confident that the demand for light commercial cars will grow in our country. And taking into account the fact that interest in this segment is shown both retailers and corporate clients, they are offered a wide selection of complete sets: from the basic to the equipment of the premium class. Well, two of the four of the above factors needed for the success of the model, my doubts do not cause functionality and versatility here at the height. Blue oval marketers have not left without attention and so important for commercial equipment as the cost of ownership. For example, the interservice mileage for the CONNECT car line is increased to 20,000 km. There is another important factor price. The cost of the basic version of Transit Connect with a short base and a 75-strong motor will cost the buyer at 759,000 rubles, and the long-base version with a motor is 110 liters. with. In a complete set of Trend in 907,000 rubles. The minimum price of the passenger version will be 964,000 rubles, and the top package will cost 1,110,000 rubles.
Showing at the Geneva Motor Show Ford Tourneo Connect Bev, Ford Motor Company once again proved that not only seeks to innovate in the design of cars, but also pays great attention to environmental protection. This car with a zero emission level is designed in partnership with Smith Electric, the European leader in the transformation of ordinary machines in electric car. The car is equipped with an electric motor with a capacity of 50 kW, allowing to develop a speed of 113 km / h with mileage before recharging at 160 km. Sales of these cars with a body van are planned to begin in 2010.

Author: Stanislav Shustitsky
    

   
 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [December 2009]