Goodbye Econoline

HHR · Mar 5, 2012

Ford is replacing the E-series vans with a US built version of the full-size European Transit. They just announced that the main engine will be the 3.5L EcoBoost V6.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/new...s-to-be-replaced-by-transit-with-ecoboost-v-6

Diamondpilot · Mar 5, 2012

Yea, this was announced around the first of the year.

Chris

Travelover · Mar 5, 2012

It was a long run. That chassis was from about 1975 and the last major body redesign was 1992. Good vehicle, but like the Crown Vic and Town car, way past it's prime.

frischtr · Mar 5, 2012

Travelover said:
It was a long run. That chassis was from about 1975 and the last major body redesign was 1992. Good vehicle, but like the Crown Vic and Town car, way past it's prime.

I'm skeptical about the new van. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the existing style for a work van. They have done everything construction tradesman need it to, while being cheap and reliable. And I guarantee that many companies are not going to be interested in turbo-charged engines in a work van. These things are driven and abused like rented mules... My boss has already said he'll switch to GM vans based on what engine options and any unnecessary options driving up the cost of the Ford.

Diamondpilot · Mar 5, 2012

I disagree. Look at what the Sprinter both by Mercedes and Dodge has done to the market.

The new Nissan NV is really taking off here. Large plumbing outfit has about 50 of them and our local blood bank is now driving them.

Its time for a change and Ford has a winning combo with the Eco Boost and the Sprinter style/sized van that can be stood up in unlike the current Econoline, Ram, or Savannah vans by Ford, Dodge, and GM.

What the real story here is though is the EPA and the new mandates for "FLEET" economy.

Kind of like the PT Cruiser. It was only built to offset the Hemi when Dodge brought it back in the trucks. Throw a cheap body on a Neon chassis and running gears and list it as a truck.

Chris

frischtr · Mar 5, 2012

Diamondpilot said:
I disagree. Look at what the Sprinter both by Mercedes and Dodge has done to the market.

The new Nissan NV is really taking off here. Large plumbing outfit has about 50 of them and our local blood bank is now driving them.

Its time for a change and Ford has a winning combo with the Eco Boost and the Sprinter style/sized van that can be stood up in unlike the current Econoline, Ram, or Savannah vans by Ford, Dodge, and GM.

What the real story here is though is the EPA and the new mandates for "FLEET" economy.

Kind of like the PT Cruiser. It was only built to offset the Hemi when Dodge brought it back in the trucks. Throw a cheap body on a Neon chassis and running gears and list it as a truck.

Chris

I don't see many Sprinters here, used to see more when they first came out, but less now.

I haven't seen many NVs either, maybe too early to tell on them.

Can't use tall vans here, can't get them in parking garages in the city, though obviously more useful in the 'burbs. Probably why there are less sprinters here. Plus, many companies don't want the diesels.

Ram van? Been out of production since '03.

All that being said, you may be right, time will tell...

Dmace · Mar 5, 2012

That EcoBoost is crammed into the F150 so hard you can barely see the air filter. I can only imagine how it would be in a cab forward van!
It's about time Ford caught up to the Sprinter but they still don't have a solid drivetrain lineup like a small diesel.

Good to see it will be built in the US!

frischtr · Mar 5, 2012

One option I would like to see would be duals for the 1 ton vans, like the sprinters. We haul a lot of weight in the back of some of our extended wheelbase vans.

Red Horse · Mar 5, 2012

frischtr said:
I'm skeptical about the new van. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the existing style for a work van. They have done everything construction tradesman need it to, while being cheap and reliable. And I guarantee that many companies are not going to be interested in turbo-charged engines in a work van. These things are driven and abused like rented mules... My boss has already said he'll switch to GM vans based on what engine options and any unnecessary options driving up the cost of the Ford.

I'm an E series die hard too. The original Econoline came out in 61-with a 144 cu.in. Falcon six! Talk about a long run!

But the new Transit should not be confused with the Transit Connect, which is the little 4 banger front wheel drive built in Turkey. the big Transit has been built in Europe for quite a few years. About five years ago I saw two of them here in MA. One was being run by DHL and the other was being run by some Ford parts delivery operation-actually talked to both drivers. So ford has been planning this for a long time. As for the EcoBoost, if its good enough for Police Interceptor duty, it should be good enough for van duty. Keep in mind, they have been selling very well in F-150's for the past year with no issues. I have a 2010 Taurus SHO that is just about to turn 35,000 miles-has not been back to the dealer since the day it was delivered and gets no worse than 22/23 mpg average. I 've done as well as 27.1 on a 350 mile run. This is a proven motor. And torque? this thing will run around town in fifth gear at about 1200 RPM!

Dmace · Mar 5, 2012

Red Horse said:
Keep in mind, they have been selling very well in F-150's for the past year with no issues. I have a 2010 Taurus SHO that is just about to turn 35,000 miles-has not been back to the dealer since the day it was delivered and gets no worse than 22/23 mpg average. I 've done as well as 27.1 on a 350 mile run. This is a proven motor.

35k miles is hardly "proven".
That engine still needs a good 5 years in truck / fleet sales to be "proven" in my eyes. Especially with new technologies. Running in early Lincoln cross-overs and sedans hardly proves it can work also...