The landscape of shuttle buses at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport will be changing very soon. For decades we have taken for granted the Ford Econoline vans and bus conversions with their rumbling diesel engines and rattling chassis. They are to our airport transfers what peanuts in a pouch are to flying itself.
Ford has shown a the Tourneo Concept in Geneva this week which gives us our first hint at what the long awaited Econoline van replacement will look like.The styling is sleek and dare we say sexy. The front face is elegantly in line with Ford's latest design language in cars such as the Fiesta, Focus and most recently the 2013 Fusion.
Tourneo is aimed at consumers as a full on passenger van with a finished interior, plush carpeting and enough sound deadening to make it feel much like a car inside. Ford's latest infotainment systems and a supple suspension are likely to be seen in a production version which is not far from this concept.
Ford was quick to point out that this particular light duty model will not be offered in the U.S. but the new global Transit Van family to which its related will. Ford will begin producing the new Transit Van in Kansas City, Missouri next year as it phases out production of the decades old Econoline. The new Transit will be a completely modern van akin to the Mercedes Sprinter that offers taller box-like proportions and more efficient engines.
A production version of the Tourneo Concept will be offered in Europe in Asia with front wheel drive and small diesel engines. For the U.S. market we will get a rear-wheel drive heavy duty variant that will most likely feature a 3.7 liter V6 gasoline engine and 3.5 liter EcoBoost twin turbo V6 engine, both of which are currently available in the F-150.
Whether Ford will offer us the small displacement turbo-diesels that it sells in Europe is unknown but it would be wise since its closest competitor Mercedes Benz offers one here. One thing is for sure, the new Transit Van will be far more efficient and less obsolete than the 1970's era Econoline it replaces.
The Transit Van will be available here in both passenger bus versions and slab sided cargo models. In time, cut away chassis cabs will also be available for shuttle bus, motor home and U-Haul coach builders of the world.
So enjoy the ride out to your Scottsdale resorts or to the rental car lot in the old Econolines while they last. Change is coming!
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