Ford Rolls Out Updated Transit Connect Wagon In Chicago

Ford’s arrived at the Chicago Auto Show this year with an updated version of its Transit Connect van for the US market, putting a fresh face on the model that first launched in 2012 (and reached the US as a 2014 model).

For starters, there’s a new 1.5-liter diesel engine under the hood, along with a 2.0-liter gasoline four. Both come mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

While official specs have not yet been released, the diesel targets fuel economy of over 30 miles per gallon on the highway. And with stop-start ignition, the gasoline engine ought to deliver better economy than the outgoing version as well.

Dearborn has also taken the occasion to pack its latest little van with all the latest advanced safety equipment. Those include automatic emergency braking, pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, and available adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist systems.

There’s an available 6.5-inch display in the dashboard, a digital display in the instrument cluster, and optional wireless inductive charging. The available Sync 3 system offers Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant, with Waze navigation soon to follow.

In addition to the revised powertrain options, buyers will be able to choose between XL, XLT, and Titanium trim levels, and two wheelbase lengths with room for five or seven passengers. So far Ford has only detailed the Transit Connect Wagon passenger version, but you can expect similar revisions to make their way into the cargo version as well in due course.