Ford to Replace E Series with Transit Van Offering 25% EcoBoost Fuel Savings

Euro-style Transit van equals E-Series cargo at much lower fuel consumption with turbocharged V6 popular in F150 pickup trucks

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The all-new full-size 2013 Transit van is going to be available with Ford's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 gasoline engine. This promises at least 25% better fuel efficiency than the current E-Series vans. Part of the fuel savings is due to the almost 300-lb. weight savings.

"The new Ford Transit commercial van will deliver all the capability and capacity that customers get with today's E-Series, but with the bonus of improved fuel economy and potentially lower operating costs thanks to its available EcoBoost engine," says Tim Stoehr, Ford Commercial Truck Marketing Manager. "This engine has revolutionized the half-ton pickup segment for F-150 and we're expecting it will have the same effect on commercial vans."

The rear-wheel drive Transit has been a commercial success in Europe for several years. The European van market is as competitive and the North American pickup market.

The EcoBoost engine is central to the Ford strategy of producing technologically-advanced, high-output, smaller displacement powertrains that deliver increased fuel economy. The company plans to produce up to 1.5 million EcoBoost engines globally in a wide variety of vehicles from small cars to trucks.

The Transit will eventually replace the E-Series. According to Rob Stevens, cheif namplate engineer, the E-Series will continue to be available through the launch of the Transit.  

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