Ford has updated its Transit and Transit Connect vans for the 2016 model year, adding features for both consumer and business applications.
For the full-size Transit, Ford has added its SYNC 3 infotainment system. The new system has performance updates, a new graphical interface and more conversational voice recognition.
Also standard for the 2016 Transit is a rearview camera with trailer hitch assist. On chassis cab and cutaway models, the camera can optionally show the area behind the van on the rearview mirror.
Medium- and high-roof Transits also get available dual sliding doors. Fleet-bound vans can now have their speed limited to 70 mph, along with the already available 65 and 75 mph limits.
For the Transit Connect, Ford is making the flex-fuel 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine standard on non-California-emissions models, allowing the use of E85 fuel. The flex-fuel engine joins the 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, which is available on all vans and on XLT-trim wagons.
Commercial vans get a perimeter alarm standard when equipped with remote start. The system uses impact and shock sensors to detect any attempt to gain access to the contents of the vehicle.
The Transit Connect wagon – the passenger version of Ford’s small van – gets standard second row fold-flat bucket seats in Platinum trim. The seats are also available on long-wheelbase XLT models for no charge.
Rounding out the changes to the Transit Connect wagon are Ford’s Blind Spot Integration System, which detects other vehicles when changing lanes or backing up, and new 17-inch alloy wheels for the XLT and Platinum versions.
Both the 2016 Transit and Transit Connect vans will be available starting in September. Ford built over 100,000 Transits at its Kansas City plant in 2015, making it the best selling van for the year.
Watch as the Transit Connect takes on the Ram ProMaster City and the Nissan NV200 in this TFLtruck video:
