Ford has announced equipment and technical updates for the 2016 Transit and 2016 Transit Connect in North America, with both models expected to arrive in dealerships in September.
The replacement to the E-Series gets the available SYNC 3 infotainment system, rearview camera technology and new customization options for the 2016 model year.
Ford says SYNC 3 features faster performance, more conversational voice recognition, a more innovative smartphone-like touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface.
All 2016 Ford Transit vans and wagons will come with standard rearview camera and trailer hitch assist technology. Additionally, 2016 Transit cutaway and chassis cab versions will offer the option to display the area behind the vehicle on the rearview mirror. Ford Transit medium- and high-roof vans will be available for the first time with dual sliding side cargo doors, expanding the number of vehicle configurations from 47 to 58.
All Transit versions gain front dome lamps with map lights and theater dimming, while the USB jack moves above the cupholder in the center console for easy access. Other optional upgrades include auxiliary fuse panels on all Transit variants, a single absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery and heavy-duty alternators. The 2016 Transit will be available with four new paint colors: Shadow Black, Caribou, Magnetic and Race Red.
The smaller Ford Transit Connect compact commercial van also gains some updates for 2016, including flex fuel capability and perimeter alarm updates.
The flexible-fuel vehicle system will be standard equipment on 2016 Transit Connect vans with 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines destined for non-California emissions states. Flex-fuel Transit Connect vans run on E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), unleaded gasoline or any blend of the two.
For customers who order remote start for the Transit Connect, Ford will offer for free a perimeter alarm. Finally, the 2016 Transit Connect Wagon gains standard second-row fold-flat bucket seats for the 2016 Titanium model, optional Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert and new 17-inch premium alloy wheels for the Transit Connect Wagon XLT and Titanium models.