Ford is looking to boost its presence in the
commercial vehicle market by unveiling its latest generation of connected and
electrified Transit vans at the IAA Commercial Vehicle show in Hannover on
September 20.
Spearheading this movement is the new two-tonne
Transit, featuring a segment-first 48-volt mild hybrid (mHEV) technology,
together with the Transit Custom plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which will go on sale
sometime next year.
The new two-tonne Transit will pack more fuel efficient
engines, increased payload, built-in connectivity and advanced driver
technologies when it launches mid-2019. Aesthetically, it comes with a new
front end design and an all-new interior with improved stowage space.
Aside from the upgraded 2.0-liter EcoBlue diesel
engines, Transit customers will be able to order their van with 48-volt mHEV
technology on manual transmission versions, in turn further improving fuel
efficiency, especially in stop-start urban traffic. The mHEV system works by
capturing energy during moments of deceleration, then releasing it to help
drive the engine and electrical ancillaries.
As for the Transit Custom PHEV, it will arrive in
Hannover in final production form, equipped with a hybrid system that targets a
zero-emission range of up to 50 km, while also using a 1.0-liter
EcoBoost petrol unit as a range extender. This van’s total range is said to be
more than 482 km, aided by the compact liquid-cooled lithium-ion
battery pack situated underneath the load floor.
During the show, Ford will also be announcing two
new connected vehicle fleet solutions, developed by Ford Smart Mobility. First,
Ford Telematics is meant to provide fleet operators with a web-based
application aimed at improving vehicle utilization, maximizing vehicle
availability and optimizing running costs. Then there’s Ford Data Services,
which will enable those same fleet operators to work with their own third-party
service providers to access OEM-grade vehicle data.
