A real Mini Minivan

dj06482 wrote: I'm interested in the Transit Connect for down the road when we replace our Odyssey. With all the in-town drop-off, pick-up that it does, the fuel mileage is no better than my Dodge Ram 4X4 with the HEMI. If this thing could get close to 25 around town, it would save us a fortune! Actually, what we really need is the hybrid minivan. All of our in-town trips would be in the sweet spot for a hybrid... I'd love to see 35-45 MPG in-town!

Diesel minivan. I've wondered if the Liberty Dizzle engine would fit in a Town and Country.

E: Turns out Chrysler beat me to my idea, but they hate America. http://gas2.org/2011/07/16/chrysler-builds-39-mpg-diesel-minivan-for-europe-only/

My moms van generally gets 18-20 mpg. 39 is freaking ridiculous and that thing would sell like hotcakes over here.

In reply to dj06482:

? http://www.ford.com/cars/cmax/

In reply to failboat:

No Sliding doors...

In reply to Grizz:

Tell me about it. 10 years ago, during my 1 semester at tech school, I had a chance to wander the old out of use shop. Parked inside was a euro market(not sure if rdh or lhd) 3rd gen caravan. 5 speed, diesel, fixed rear facing 2nd row. Really cool.

neon4891 wrote: In reply to Grizz: Tell me about it. 10 years ago, during my 1 semester at tech school, I had a chance to wander the old out of use shop. Parked inside was a euro market(not sure if rdh or lhd) 3rd gen caravan. 5 speed, diesel, fixed rear facing 2nd row. Really cool.

THEY BUILD THEM IN CANADA.

There is no reason whatsoever to not sell them in America. It's a damn truck ride over here.

Grizz wrote: Diesel minivan. I've wondered if the Liberty Dizzle engine would fit in a Town and Country. E: Turns out Chrysler beat me to my idea, but they hate America. http://gas2.org/2011/07/16/chrysler-builds-39-mpg-diesel-minivan-for-europe-only/

Is anyone else having day-dreams of buying a new Chrysler minivan and then sourcing the Lancia grill and badging?

singleslammer wrote: In reply to failboat: No Sliding doors...

at one point in its development, it did

then, suddenly, it wasn't coming here. now it is, but as a hybrid only. I've been following it for a few years but seeing it in person, its smaller than I expected. I think its even a little smaller than a Mazda 5.

EDIT: Sorry, this is the Grand C-max. Which was originally slated to come here. but we got stuck with the smaller one, hybrid only. Boooo.

Ian F wrote: Is anyone else having day-dreams of buying a new Chrysler minivan and then sourcing the Lancia grill and badging?

I wanted to do it with a 300, so yeah.

A diesel would be great, but they're of more benefit on the highway. The C-max is close, but I'd like something with a real third row and some storage behind it (rules out the Mazda5). I'd like the ability to have four kids in car seats/boosters, as we're often carting around a friend, as well. And sliding doors are a great feature!

A plug-in hybrid would be perfect, if Ford could put the new plug-in power train from the Fusion in the Transit Connect, I think they would have a real winner. Most trips are 15 miles or less, and we could plug-in between trips (provided that wouldn't hurt the battery).

The minivan market has been largely ignored with the push for more efficient vehicles. The Mazda5 is really the only minivan that I would say gets great mileage, but with the technology out there, there's potential for even better efficiency.

iceracer wrote: Wait, the Transit Connect is not a min-van. Ford says so.

Yep, it is and was designed as a city delivery truck. And I like mine very much.

There have been no sexy minivans since I sold mine. Looked like hell, and would get up and GO.

Damn, I miss that van.

EastCoastMojo wrote: There have been no sexy minivans since I sold mine. Looked like hell, and would get up and GO. Damn, I miss that van.

I had no idea those rims would fit on one of those. Looks cool.

I thought this was going to be about Mini vans.

This thread is relevant to my interests. I'll be buying a small, efficient delivery vehicle for my bread business soon, and this is a contender. Then again, the contenders range from a new TC or C-Max to a used Saab or Volvo wagon to an old panel truck on a modern chassis.

So, aside from a long roof and four wheels, I guess the field is pretty open.

I wish they'd bring the S-Max here with some sliding doors. I saw this down in Argentina.

Plus you could tell people you gave your wife a S-Max.

My wife and I have looked at TC's as we have lots of 4 legged "kids" but the auto tranny has turned us off if em. Bring me a small TD and a gearbox to row, and I will seriously look at em.

The new Connect looks good imo.

Yes most domestically sold minivans in the last 10 years or so have become so overweight that mpgs really aren't much better than most full size pick-ups. Their really is nothing mini, about those minivans lol.

Our Mazda 5 does ok for mpg and can seat 6. In a few years when the kids get bigger that 3rd row seating won't be very comfortable though.

Diesel would be nice in the new Connect but diesel is considerably more expensive per gallon in my area so I'd be happy with a high mpg gas hybrid version.

Quoted from Motor Trend:

In North America, Ford limits engine variables to two choices: the 1.6-liter EcoBoost I-4, and a 2.5-liter I-4 that will likely serve as a base engine. Assuming the 2.5-liter is similar to that used in the 2013 Fusion, it could offer as much as 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Likewise, if the 1.6-liter EcoBoost is tuned like that used in the 2013 Escape, it could yield 178 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Both engines will be paired only with six-speed automatics in our market.

Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/ford-transit-transit-connect-vans-teased-before-us-launch-257057.html#ixzz2CJ3TN8vn

Sounds pretty good to me! I actually really like the full size Transit as well.

If the engines are from the Focus, how hard could a manual swap be, amiright?

yay 6 speed autos. Ive driven the base 2012 focus and the se with the "sport" mode, both are dct trans. Wonder if that same trans is going to be in the Transit.

Playing with the buttons to shift in sport mode, meh, not too fun. about what you'd expect from any auto really. But if you just shift into sport and leave it alone, its pretty brilliant when you are driving some twisty, hilly roads. Its pretty good at being in the right gear almost all the time.

Grizz wrote:

GameboyRMH wrote: I thought you meant a microvan:

You know, drop the suspension, get rid of the bread box and put some form of sleekishness around the frame and there is potential for a small fun toy. Or does it not have a frame? I can never tell with the strange Japanese stuff. See? Potential.

Yeah they do have a frame, it's more like a "skateboard chassis" - all the mechanicals are below floor level, just the controls stick out and then the body drops on top. They're also available in pickup form: