Ford had previously announced the North American-spec Transit would be offered with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6 as a powertrain option, but we were left guessing what the other powertrain offerings would be, until now.
Ford has announced there will be a diesel engine option for those seeking optimum fuel efficiency in their vans. Ford has not specifically disclosed the exact details on the diesel power plant, but there's a strong likelihood it will be the 3.2-liter five-cylinder currently used in the heavy-duty versions of the European Transit, as well as the optional engine in the T6 global Ranger. As installed in those applications, the engine produces 200 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque, which should prove ample for courier and transporting duty. For comparison, the 3.0-liter Bluetec diesel V-6 offered in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter currently produces 188 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque.
Although the Transit is expected to ultimately replace the long-running Econoline in Ford's U.S. fleet, the press release emphatically stated that the Econoline would continue to be available through "most of the decade" in North America, even after the U.S.-built Transit goes on sale. Although the trusty, proven Econoline has its fans, the Transit's vastly improved packaging, efficiency and technology may hasten its predecessor's phase-out.