Ford has just introduced two new taxi models in the
all-new Fusion Hybrid and the new Transit Connect, the latter equipped with an
available EcoBlue diesel engine.
While the Transit Connect diesel is targeted to
return an EPA-estimated highway rating of at least 30 mpg (7.8l/100km), the
Fusion Hybrid taxi is projected to offer a combined rating of 38 mpg
(6.2l/100km), while also featuring parts designed for the 2019 Police Responder
Hybrid sedan.
The Transit Connect Taxi offers a flexible interior
with enough room to seat five people comfortably. It also has more than 1,700 liters of cargo volume, which Ford says is more than what you get
in a Nissan NV200 taxi.
Aside from its newly available EcoBlue diesel unit,
the 2019 Transit Connect Taxi also features a recessed second-row seat, a taxi
upfit wiring harness, first-row side curtain airbags, optional roof access hole
for signage and a reverse sensing system. At the same time, the new taxi can be
made wheelchair accessible via the Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier program.
While actual mileage will vary, the Ford Fusion
Hybrid taxi is expected to have similar EPA-estimated ranges to the Ford Police
Responder Hybrid, meaning 40 mpg City/36 mpg Highway/38 mpg Combined –
5.8l/100km / 6.5l/100km / 6.2l/100km.
Features include the police-tuned suspension with
increased ride height, high-performance brakes, steel wheels, heavy-duty cloth
seating (optional vinyl seats), vinyl floors, available School Bus Yellow
paint, a rearview camera as standard and a mounting plate on top of the
instrument panel to secure taxi meters.
Both of these new Ford taxi models will go on sale
by the end of this year.
