What Compact Vehicle Would Make The Best Camper Van?

Danbury Motor Caravans' Fiat Doblo (Ram Promaster City) Conversion.

By Andy Lilienthal

Everyone knows the Volkswagen Bus/Transporter/Eurovan (with or without the iconic Westfalia pop-top conversions) are the most iconic of camper vans and compact travel vehicles. People have traveled the globe for decades in these compact vans: They're small enough to be maneuverable, big enough to sleep in. They're also unavailable new in the U.S.

North America hasn't had a proper VW Van (sorry, the Routan does not count) since 2003. Yes, we've had all sorts of other minivans from nearly every other automaker, but nothing as camper-worthy as the VW vans. (NOTE: The Ursa Minor Honda Element Ecamper would be the next best thing.) And much like the hard-to-find Eurovans (and previous Vanagons, etc.), they command quite a price, especially the rare 4WD Syncro Vanagons, which I've seen for sale here in Portland for nearly $70,000 when fully equipped. No, I did not add an extra zero.

The Ford Transit Connect as a Compact Camper

While on one of my personal favorite websites, Expedition Portal, I ran across this killer compact overlander build. The owner has taken a 2013 Ford Transit Connect and built it into a bona-fide travelin' van, albeit a small one, which of course makes it more awesome. This is not the kind of overland build that features big off-road tires and an up-armored chassis. Rather, this van is simply made to travel compactly and smartly.

The builder wanted a vehicle that could be slept in, one that could house a porta-potty inside the vehicle if need be, andone that could seat two inside the back. He also wanted to have a sink/holding tank, the ability to make coffee inside the vehicle, and finally a car with enough storage for gear. The Tranist Connect fit the bill. 

This build reminds me of a modern Volkswagen Westfalia van—a vehicle that is iconic among travelers. And yes, there are companies offering pop-top conversions, at least in Europe. It's great to see people utilizing this platform for extended travel. In fact, there are others out there turning these vehicles into small RVs. Is it possible the Transit Connect could be the next VW Vanagon? While I'd prefer the vehicle with AWD for dirt roads and ski trips, this is still a neat platform, especially if you don't plan on venturing too far off the pavement.

This is an on-going build, but I love the direction it's going. Proof, yet again, that you don't need to have a huge vehicle to get out and see the world. Check it out in the link below.

SOURCE

2013 Ford Transit Connect our "minimalist camper" (Expedition Portal)

Sweet Tomatoes Ford Transit Connect

I can't speak for where you live, but here in the Portland there are a lot of Ford Transit Connects. My wife, Mercedes (yes, I'm a car fiend and am married to a woman named Mercedes), spotted this Sweet Tomatoes-branded Transit Connect outside of Lake Oswego, OR the other day. It just goes to show that businesses of all kinds seem to be embracing Ford's tiny transit van.

By the way, does anyone else feel the need for a salad?

Review: 2010 Ford Transit Connect—A small van that means business, literally

THE SHORT STORY

Pros: Amazing versatility; admirable fuel economy; utilitarian European good looks

Cons: Front seats not so comfortable; could use more power

Overall: Possibly the perfect size for many businesses.

Although new to the U.S. market, the Ford Transit Connect has been on sale in Europe since 2002. Here in the U.S, the car is aimed at businesses that need a vehicle smaller than a Sprinter van, something larger than a hatchback, and aren't looking for a pickup or a full-size panel van. The Transit Connect not only offers exceptional versatility, but returns better fuel mileage than most commercial-style vehicles: 22 city/25 highway. Plus, since it rides on a car chassis, it's nimble, simple to park, and easy to drive.

EXTERIOR: European good looks (for a cargo van)
This little commercial vehicle looks distinctly European, and compared to a standard panel van it looks pretty cool. It actually turned quite a few heads; probably since it's still so new to the U.S. market (and the Ford branding graphics on the side). It's definitely function over form, but its form is still pretty slick for what it is. I kept thinking about all of the different kinds of graphics that could be put on the vehicle to promote one's business.


INTERIOR: Cargo is king
It's amazing how much room is actually in one of these vans and cargo capacity is a whopping 1,600 lbs, too! Part of this ability comes from the fact the vehicle is tall. The floor is flat, and easy to slide stuff in and out of. If you're more into hauling people than carrying cargo, buyers can get seating for up to five people. My test vehicle, however, had two front seats; the rest was for payload. (My test model was retrofitted with some shelving and racks.)

Speaking of payload, there's plenty of ways to access your cargo, too. The van features two sliding side doors, and rear doors that open up 180 degrees or up to 255 degrees (this is an option), like my review vehicle. Simply press a yellow button to release the doors from their 180-degree position, and they'll swing open 75 more degrees so you can have full access to the cargo area. Plus, there are magnets on the van's doors and sides to hold the wide-swinging doors open—a great feature.

On the passenger end of things, the interior trim feels and looks like a commercial vehicle's. However, there's lots of useful storage, including a neat area above the seats. Those seats, however, are a bit flat for my tastes.

TECHNOLOGY: Impressive available features
The test vehicle came with a tinny-sounding bare-bones two-speaker stereo with controls on a stalk-like device on the steering column. However, this stereo is connected to a touch-screen in-dash computer by Magneti Marelli, and powered by Microsoft. This computer includes Garmin navigation, Bluetooth controls stereo, and USB jack, a Bluetooth keyboard, and Internet capability. It's got a lot of other functions, too that allow businesses to get down to business while on the go. A literal rolling workstation.

There is a lot of available tech here (key word being “available”). My test car had most of the options which included daytime running lights, Nokia Bluetooth, Garmin navigation, in-car computer, reverse sensing system, and Tool Link by Dewalt (radio tags for up to 50 of your tools and items). None of these are standard, however, and the additional cost is around $3,500 for all of the goodies. Standard amenities do include AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Controll (RSC), keyless entry, ABS brakes, front and side airbags, and power windows/locks/and A/C. However, this is still under the level of most commercial vehicles and provides a lot of equipment for the money.

ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN: Could use more power, but it gets the job done
There's one engine and transmission choice: 2.0-liter Duratec 16-valve DOHC four cylinder mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. It's somewhat noisy, albeit it works just fine—again this is a commercial vehicle, and this engine gets the job done. However, I would've liked to have seen Ford's 2.3-liter Duratec engine available. And my fringe lunatic self would've loved to see a manual transmission offered.

DRIVING: A bit slow, but impressive handling
In the city, the Transit Connect works very well. It's got enough power to easily scoot around the city and has good acceleration up to about 45 mph. On the highway, however, there isn't a whole lot of passing power, and you'll need to keep your foot to the floor on steep hills. Once on the highway, however, there's no problem keeping up with traffic, and the van cruises easily at 70 and above. I got 21 MPG combined in the Transit Connect; EPA rating is 22/25.

Handling is surprisingly nimble, though, especially considering how tall the van is. It's actually a lot of fun to drive. Even tight clover leafs don't upset the chassis, which has front independent coil springs, and rear solid axle with leaf springs. It's quite impressive! On top of that, the Transit Connect rides well, too.


VERSATILITY IN SPADES
Compared to a larger Sprinter (above) you can get an idea of the Transit Connect's size, and this could be the perfect in-between vehicle for many businesses. It won't break the bank, holds lots of stuff, and gets admirable fuel economy. It drives well and looks unique, too—and there's plenty of room for your logo on the side. These are the reasons people are buying the Transit Connect; I understand it's been a surprise hit for Ford.

The more I drove this Euro-like tall van, the more business ideas I thought about: Mobile tire service, mobile oil change, pet grooming, delivery, mobile barista—really, the sky's the limit.

In The Driveway: 2010 Ford Transit Connect

The latest vehicle in the driveway is the 2010 Ford Transit Connect. This pint-sized panel van drives like a car, but hauls a lot of stuff. Think 3/4 size Dodge Sprinter. I'll be putting in some time behind the wheel today; updates to follow!

Ford Transit Connect Taxi makes perfect sense; correct change appreciated

The Ford Transit Connect has proved itself to be an extremely versatile vehicle, and this latest adaptation makes perfect sense: Taxi use.

The Ford Transit Connect Taxi will be available in late 2010 as a 2011 model, and will be offered with the standard 2.0-liter gasoline engine. Ford will also offer conversion kits to run the vehicle on compressed natural gas (CNG) kit or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). These two fuels are popular among taxi operators due to their low cost of ownership.

The Transit Connect Taxi also features a wiring upfit package with a hole in the roof for signage, vinyl front and rear seats, rubber rear floor, sliding second-row windows and standard third-row windows—all of which are factory installed. Additional installation of technology and other taxi modifications such as roof signage and the optional seating partition are handled by taxi upfitters in local markets.

The Transit Connect Taxi idea is a no-brainer since the vehicle has great cargo hauling ability and fuel efficiency. Plus, way more headroom than a Crown Victoria. Gotta go; the meter's running.

Ford Transit Connect wins North American Truck of the Year

The people at Ford must be pretty happy. Not only did the Ford Fusion Hybrid get picked as North American Car of the Year at the Detroit Auto Show, but the Ford Transit Connect won North American Truck of the Year. It's the first time a front-wheel-drive only vehicle has won the Truck of the Year; it's also most certainly the smallest vehicle to win the award.

I've ridden in a Transit Connect and thought it was a really neat vehicle; something super practical and economical. It also makes you wonder what the true definition of "truck" is. Regardless, congratulations to Ford for the double win.

LINK
http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/

Just the right size? 2010 Ford Transit Connect

Say you're a business that needs an enclosed vehicle to haul stuff, but you don't need anything too big like a Dodge Sprinter; you need something larger than a Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, etc.; and want something more utilitarian than a Nissan Cube or Scion xB. You want something that gets decent mileage, is versatile, easy to park, and has a warranty. Ford may just have the perfect vehicle: The 2010 Ford Transit Connect.

On sale in Europe since 2003, the Transit Connect is a new-to-the-U.S. vehicle aimed at commercial applications. It's about six inches longer than a Ford Focus, but quite a bit taller to accommodate cargo.

Speaking of cargo, it has a payload rating of 1,600 lbs.—close to that of a Dodge Ram 1500—and can swallow 135 cubic feet of stuff through its split rear doors, and sliding side doors. In addition, the interior can be configured in a variety of ways (seats, no seats, etc.) to suit a particular application.

Under the hood lies the 2.0-liter Duratech four cylinder churning out 136 hp and 128 ft./lbs. of torque. This mill allows the Transit Connect to get a fuel economy rating of 22/25. This power is sent through a four-speed automatic with a final drive ratio of 4.20:1.

I rode in the vehicle, and it seemed to handle quite well, especially for being tall. The interior is very utilitarian, including an un-upholstered rear area. Amenities on the test vehicle included a touch-screen GPS, air conditioning, power windows/locks, and a great cargo area above the driver's/passenter's area.

Since 2003, the Transit Connect has sold more than 600,000 units in 58 countries on three continents, and I think it's a great addition to the U.S. market. It should provide some smaller-scale competition to the Dodge Sprinter, and go toe-to-toe with the Chevrolet HHR Panel. It might just the right size for many applications.

LINK
Ford Transit Connect (FordVehicles.com)

The 2010 Ford Model Year Drive Event: Experiencing the latest from Ford Motor Company

Yesterday, I attended the 2010 Ford Model Year Drive Event at the company's headquarters in Dearborn, MI. At this event, I was able to drive many of the 2010 model-year vehicles, learn about the company's latest technologies, and see what the company is aiming for in the future. And although the event had a strong emphasis on the 2010 Taurus, it was said that many of the new technologies found in Ford's larger vehicles would be spread to all of the Ford offerings in the future.

The day started out with a short bus ride to the company's test track. On the way in, there were a variety of vehicles zooming around the high-banked track—including a couple of camouflaged Ford Fiesta sedan test mules. Perhaps endurance testing?

After our arrival at the Product Review Center (a LEED Silver certified building), we were greeted by several of Ford's execs who talked about the direction of the company with regards to new models, model changes, powertrain changes, and quality standards. As a fan of small cars, it was reassuring to hear that Ford has a commitment to large, medium, and small cars for the U.S. market. An emphasis was placed on the "freshening" of the model lineup, too. Ford acknowledged that it "takes time to reconvince customers" of their brand, but was confident in the direction in which the company is headed. After the short presentations, we broke up into four groups to begin the activities. First stop for my group: The steering and handling course.

Steering and Handling Course
The "steering and handling evaluation track" was the first of two Ford test tracks I would get to experience. This was a tight course with several elevation changes. I didn't have a chance to drive the Fiesta again, which was okay since I'd already done so. However, I was interested in the new-to-the-U.S. Transit Connect, and was able to ride in one.

Already on sale in Europe for some time, the Transit Connect is a smaller vehicle aimed at the commercial segment. About the length of a Ford Focus, but taller, the Transit Connect (which is launching as we speak ... er type), offers scads of usable interior space in a small package. It's perfect for the person/business that needs a vehicle smaller than a Dodge Sprinter or a pickup truck, but bigger than a typical hatchback. A full write up on the vehicle will be up shortly.

I also got a ride in a battery-electric Ford Focus. That's right—an all-electric Focus. It was just like any other Focus on the inside, although the gauges were different. This vehicle was said to have a range of 70-100 miles on a charge. It was, of course, whisper quiet, too.

I was able to drive a few versions of Ford's larger cars including the Fusion Hybrid, the Fusion Sport, the Ford Edge Sport, and the Mercury Milan. The Fusions are very nice vehicles, indeed, and I was thrilled to see Ford offering the four-cylinder Fusion with a manual transmission option. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to drive the Shelby GT500; but it sure sounded amazing.

Technology Tent
Next stop: The Technology Tent. Here, Ford showcased some of its latest innovations, including its latest voice-activated SYNC with traffic, directions, and information; Adaptive Park Assist (e.g. the car parks itself); Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning systems; and the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS).

Although these technologies were showcased on the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus, the Fusion, and a few Lincoln vehicles, many of these features will eventually be available on Ford's smaller cars, such as the Fiesta and the Focus.

I was most impressed with the Collision Warning system, which uses a sophisticated radar in the bumpers to detect if a vehicle is getting too close for comfort. A series of tones and LEDs on the dashboard, which look similar to a third brake light (see image at right) notifies drivers of an upcoming obstacle ... like a car you're hoping NOT to hit. However, unlike its cousin, Volvo, the Ford products won't automatically apply the brakes. It's a technology Ford said its customers may not be ready to embrace yet. The crash-sensing radar monitors up to 600 ft. in front of the vehicle; it's pretty cool technology that Ford said might even be required on all cars in the future.

Next it was time for lunch with everyone, including some Ford execs. Even Ford CEO Alan Mulally stopped in (at left). It was interesting to talk with some of the Ford executives, as well as other media folk to get their take on what they'd seen during the first half of the day. Next stop: The EcoBoost Challenge.

EcoBoost Challenge
The EcoBoost Challenge pitted several competing vehicles from other manufacturers against EcoBoost-equipped Fords. EcoBoost is what Ford is calling its newest engine family. The theory behind the EcoBoost is smaller displacement, turbo-charged powerplants that deliver better fuel economy and performance than larger, normally aspirated engines, while spewing fewer emissions. For example, the first offering, a 3.5-liter, direct-injection, twin-turbo V-6, will be offered in vehicles such as the new (and, IMHO, very attractive) Ford Tarus SHO, the Flex, and some Lincoln models. It's designed to produce V-8 power, too (ala 365hp in the SHO). So what's this have to do with small cars? We'll have to see.

Ford did announce a 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine (single turbo), most likely for the Fusion (possibly a hot Focus setup?). Officially, I couldn't get much info about a Fiesta with a small EcoBoost engine. Since the Fiesta hasn't launched yet, Ford was pretty hush-hush about engine options. However, a Ford representative did say that an EcoBoost-powered Fiesta was "more than just a rumor."

I did get to drive Ford Flex with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost and it did indeed scoot. (The seven-passenger Flex could be one of the best road-trip vehicles out there, by the way). I rode in an EcoBoost Taurus SHO, and it was damn quick. I drove a 2010 Mustang GT on the track, and I'm not going to lie: It was awesome and I want one. (I love lots of different cars, and love the sound of a lot of cars, but few cars sound as good to me as the Mustang GT!) Driving on the high-banked test track was a real trip. Entering the track was like playing Gran Turismo!

Quality and Powertrain
Last stop on the event was the quality and powertrain tent. Here, Ford discussed its latest push to produce a top-quality products. There were several experts in their fields, including automotive interior design, and component sound quality. Excuse me—"component sound quality?" Indeed, there is a person who specializes in things such as the sound the door makes when it closes. The sound of the warning chimes. The noise the shifter makes when moved. I found this fascinating, especially since I thought I was the only person who noticed the sound of a manual transmission's shifter. (I love the sound of my Suzuki SX4's shifter. I do not love the Kia Rio 5's.)

On the powertrain side of things, there was a lot of talk about the EcoBoost engines. Here Ford said the 2.0-liter EcoBoost four cylinder would produce 230 hp and 240 ft./lbs. of torque (yes please). As previously mentioned: No official word on an EcoBoost-powered Fiesta at this time.

There was also a lot of discussion regarding hybrids. Interesting fact: Ford currently offers the highest top speed in electric mode of any gasoline-electric vehicle at 47 mph. Additionally, Ford said it will have four electrified vehicles by 2012, including a Transit Connect battery-electric, the Focus battery-electric, a plug-in hybrid, and another vehicle. Maybe a hybrid Fiesta?

Overall, the experience was very cool. Lots of neat people, lots of cool technology, and a look into the future at Ford. The company definitely appears to be heading in the right direction with regards to its product offerings, quality control, technology, and environmental concerns. As you're probably aware, I am very much looking forward to the official launch of the 2011 Fiesta in about a year, and anticipate some of the company's latest technology trickling down to its small car offerings.