Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/641412
28 commercial carrier journal | february 2016 HARD WORKER, SMOOTH RIDE Ford's top-selling Transit doesn't have to change much BY JASON CANNON F ord's Transit commercial van spent barely five months on dealer lots in 2014 before seizing the crown of America's best-selling van. The van that eventually will replace the company's stalwart E-Series work van, Transit made its debut with the 2015 model year, and Ford has sold 105,030 units to date, outpacing E-Series sales by more than 2-to-1. The Ford Transit saw only a handful for updates for model year 2016 – mostly a handful of technology upgrades, such as the addition of a standard rearview camera and trailer hitch assist that engages automatically when the vehicle is shifted into reverse and displays a graphi- cal overlay on the screen that helps guide drivers to line up a hitch with a trailer. Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system also now is available as an option. Dual sliding cargo doors also will debut on 2016 Transit medium- and high-roof vans, and Ford is rolling out four new paint colors: Shadow Black, Caribou (dark brown), Magnetic (dark grey) and Race Red. Front dome lamps with map lights and theater dimming now are standard on all Transit variants, and the USB port has been moved above the cupholder in the center console for easier access. Behind the wheel My test unit, a 2016 Transit 350 HD cutaway, was equipped with the standard 3.7-liter V6 engine and upfit with a Kna- pheide KUV body. A 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and 3.2-liter I5 diesel are available engine options. With 275 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, the dual rear wheels did a nice job pushing the more than 1-ton galvaneal steel work body around interstates in Kansas City, Mo., and nearby surface roads. Transit's fleet customers can add an available speed limiter that caps top speed at 70 mph. All Transit engines are matched with a 6-speed SelectShift transmission designed for low-end acceleration and efficiency with two modes of operation. Progressive Range Select lets the driver toggle on the bulbous dash-mounted shift lever to reduce the range of avail- able gears while the van is in drive. A T E S T D R I V E : 2 0 1 6 F O R D T R A N S I T C O M M E R C I A L V A N The Ford Transit saw only a handful of updates for model year 2016 – mostly a few technology upgrades. The standard 3.7-liter V6 engine provides 275 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque.