How easy is it to get prototype vehicles on video? Why is Ford testing the 2017 (or 2018) Ford Transit commercial vans against competition? Which vans does Ford consider as competition for the Transit? All these are really good questions, and Roman and Tommy aim to answer most of these questions in this “spy video” from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
The Ford Transit is available with three engine options: the normally aspirated 3.7L gasoline V6, the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, and the 3.2L Power Stroke turbo-diesel I5. At least one of the test vans seen in this spy video is wearing the 350 heavy duty designation, a Power Stroke badge, and a “Fuel Economy Test Vehicle” sticker. The diesel engine in the Transit is currently rated at 185 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. So why test the van against the Ram ProMaster and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter? Could it be a new turbo-diesel engine, possible the 3.0L V6? There is no way to tell for sure from this video.
The vans all have “Ford Motor Company” stickers, so Ford is testing the Transit against what it considers the major competitors. The Ram ProMaster (3.0L I4 ECO Diesel) and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2.1L BlueTEC Diesel) are both available with diesel power.
Do we always get prototypes on video when we go up to the mountains? No, not always. It really is like hunting or fishing. Sometimes you get the big fish, sometimes you get smaller fish, and sometimes you get nothing.
