Ford Transit EcoBlue - Test Drive Review

 

The latest Euro 6 kids on the block are the Ford Transit and Transit Custom, thanks to the new range of 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesels.

There may not have been a great number of new van launches so far this year (if you don't count 4x4 pick-ups as vans), but under the bonnet where you can't see it, 2016 is proving to be a very big year indeed. After 1 September, all light commercial vehicles sold must comply with Euro 6 emissions standards; and that means changes ahead for all LCV buyers.

To be honest, it would take a real expert to tell the difference between driving a Euro 5 van and a Euro 6 one. But any user will soon come across some rather obvious alterations. The first change will be a hike in front-end prices to pay for the new technology under the bonnet, which won't go down at all well. Then, for the vast majority of Euro 6 vans, there is the addition of an extra filler hole, into which will have to be poured about 20 litres of AdBlue every 6,000 miles or so (which again the user will have to pay for).

Ford Transit EcoBlueBut it's not all bad news. Most Euro 6 vans have much better fuel economy figures than the old Euro 5 ones, which will largely offset the price hike; and they pump out significantly fewer harmful gases into the atmosphere, which must be a good thing. In 2016, like it or not, everyone has to accept that they must do their bit to help our polluted planet.

The various van manufacturers have been busy rolling out their new engine ranges in the past few months and already many are selling both Euro 5 and Euro 6 models.

Ford is the latest one to the party with the Transit and Transit Custom and it shipped us over to Munich recently to see how the blue oval is dealing with the brave new Euro 6 world that will be ours this autumn.

But with the UK's best selling vans it isn't just a case of slotting in a new engine. Ford has also taken the opportunity to upgrade the vans' ride and handling, safety technology and connectivity too, making them just about unbeatable packages in our book. Prices, by the way, rise by around £1,100 on average.

EcoBlue Diesels
Looking at the engines first, Ford has junked the old 2.2-litre powerplant which graced both van ranges and has replaced it with a 2.0-litre unit which was part-developed at the Dunton technical Centre and will be built at the Dagenham engine plant. Ford might not build any vans in the UK nowadays, but at least the engines are British-built.

To get under the Euro 6 restrictions, this engine carries a 21-litre AdBlue tank. But on the plus side, it is up to 13 per cent more fuel-efficient. For example, Transit now returns up to 42.2mpg on the combined cycle while Transit Custom manages up to 46.3mpg.

The AdBlue tank weighs 40kg, so all gross vehicle weights except those at 3.5 tonnes have been raised by that amount to make sure payloads will not be affected.


Miles Cleaner
Ford Transit EcoBlueThe engine also pumps out less CO2 — down from a minimum of 163g/km to 157g/km — and there's a 55 per cent reduction in NOx emissions. Ford reckons that these new engines will save users £1,250 in fuel over 80,000 miles, helping to alleviate the rise in front-end price. Meanwhile, service intervals have been extended too, up to two years/36,000 miles.

Three power outputs will be on offer — 105hp, 130hp and 170hp — and they offer up to 20 per cent more torque at lower revs, improving low-end pulling power no end.

All-wheel drive versions will be available later in the year and for the first time Ford will be offering a six-speed auto ’box on Transit and Transit Custom. There will also be an air-suspension option for kombi versions.

The automatic gearbox versions are likely to cost around £1,000 extra but Ford reckons that if you factor in less wear and tear, they should pay for themselves over the life of the vehicle. They are, of course, much more relaxing to drive too and here at VansA2Z we reckon they will become de rigueur in within 10 years or so. We love them.

More Refinement & Safety

Ford Transit EcoBlueDetail changes now mean that the Transit and Transit Custom are quieter in the cab by 1.2dB while there's a revised steering set-up for sharper handling and a new rear damper design for better comfort and control.

On the safety front there are some big changes too. A sidewind assist system that stops the vehicle being blown across the road now comes as standard, while there's an optional pre-collision assist and pedestrian detection system that automatically applies the brakes if the vehicle decides that the driver has not noticed an emergency situation ahead.

Adaptive cruise control uses the front-facing radar system to enable the driver to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead, while a traffic sign recognition system provides drivers with the latest detected speed limits. Ford's SYNC2 voice-activated connectivity system has also been upgraded with a high-res 6in colour screen in Transit and a 4in screen in Transit Custom.

Regular visitors to VansA2Z will already know how highly we rate these two vans. The Transit Custom won our Van of the Year title in its launch year 2013 and has been named Small Panel Van of the Year in 2014 and 2015. The Transit, meanwhile, won Van of the Year when it was launched in 2014 and was named Large Panel Van of the Year in 2015. With these awards, plus a host of others under its belt, it's no surprise that we were mightily impressed with what's on offer in Euro 6 guise on our sojourn to Germany.

On the Road
Ford Transit Custom EcoBlueThat 1.2dB might not sound a lot (no pun intended), but both these vans are whisper quiet even at autobahn speeds and both Transit and Transit Custom are just about as car-like as you can get with a commercial vehicle. If anything, it’s the 2-tonne that really messes in this department.

We always reckoned these vans were as sharp as any in the handling department, but the upgrades give the driver even more confidence on the corners. Our test drives, both on the country byways around Munich and on the autobahn, saw both vehicles tackling the bends with the utmost aplomb.

First drive saw us trying the Custom in 170hp guise and as expected, there was certainly no shortage of power, even with a half load on board. It's a cracking van for the owner-driver, while fleet buyers would probably be best to consider the lower powered variants as it's all too easy to get carried away and push things too far with all that oomph on tap.

Our second drive saw us climbing aboard the long wheelbase hi-roof 3.5-tonne Transit with the lowest powered 105hp engine and again half-loaded. What a surprise it turned out to be.

We weren't exactly expecting scorched Tarmac and screeching tyres but with all that torque at low revs —  360Nm at 1,375 – 2,000rpm to be precise — this Transit was sweet as a nut, with lively acceleration and, as with the Custom we drove earlier in the day, the ability to pull lustily in just about any gear.

We don't exactly know how the Ford engineers managed to dial in so much useful and enjoyable power into this engine, but we've got to take our hats off to them.

Verdict
Ford’s engineers have once again done a great job taking Transit and its smaller relative, the Custom, to the next level. The new EcoBlue diesels are up there with the best of them, and the detail revisions to the handling and improved refinement levels are the icing on the Blue Oval cake.

Source: http://www.vansa2z.com/Ford-Transit-EcoBlue-Test-Drive-Review

Spied: 2017 Ram Power Wagon Tow Testing

 

Our spy shooters caught the 2017 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Laramie during high-altitude tow testing in the Rocky Mountains without its trademark macho graphics package.

Given the size and shape and amount of flex in the dual-wheel box trailer, we'd estimate the load to be about 8,000 or 9,000 pounds, and a good test for the Hemi Power Wagon on the steep, high-altitude Colorado grades.

As you can see, this isn't so much a traditional spy photo gallery, complete with camouflage graphics, as it is about tow testing the 6.4-liter V-8 Hemi to its limits. Shown at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, the brawny Power Wagon is getting a new look that brings it more in line with the light-duty Ram 1500 Rebel. The 2017 Power Wagon will even offer seats imprinted with a tire-tread pattern just like the Rebel.

The 2017 Power Wagon lineup will include a fully loaded Laramie (pictured) as well as a new, less expensive and more basic Tradesman Power Wagon. Expect 2017 Power Wagons to make it to dealerships later this fall.

SpiedBilde images

Source:  http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/06/spied-2017-ram-power-wagon-tow-testing.html

Updates from the Light Truck World

 

The completely redesigned 2017 Honda Ridgeline powers into the U.S. mid-size pickup market this week with manufacturer suggested retail prices starting at $29,475 for the RT two-wheel drive model and $31,275 for the RT all-wheel drive (AWD) version. The 2017 Honda Ridgeline is the second generation of Honda's midsize pickup truck, offering 1,584-lbs. of payload capacity (Note: payload varies by trim level) and up to 5,000-lbs. towing capability.

Read the whole article at: http://fleetowner.com/equipment/updates-light-truck-world-0#slide-0-field_images-194521

Knapheide Customer Story: Stripe-A-Zone

At Knapheide, we’re proud to be an industry leader in work-ready vehicle solutions. But we’re even more proud to know that other industry leaders use our products to help them be more efficient. One of those leaders is Stripe-A-Zone, based out of Texas. Check out their story!

PRODUCT REVIEW: 2016 Knapheide PGNC 96B

Knapheide is an American company that has been making truck bodies since 1848 and they still build everything here in the United States while employing fellow Americans. The whole point of Luthorville is to showcase technology from American companies who support the American workforce. Knapheide is a prime example of a long-standing company that keeps American families employed. This review covers the 2016 Knapheide PGNC 96B flatbed gooseneck.

Own A Pickup? Watch Your Tailgate

 

If you own a pickup truck in Texas (and we know there are a lot of you), be sure to keep a close eye on your tailgate. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Texas is the riskiest state for thieves to steal your tailgate. But don't think if you live in another state you're safe; tailgate theft rates are climbing everywhere.

According to Cars.com and the NICB crime statistics the number of tailgate thefts likely is growing due to the extra technology truckmakers are packing into the drop-down (or swing-out) gate. Features such as cameras, hidden steps, exotic materials, and specialty locking mechanisms mean today's tailgates can cost as much as $1,500 to $2,000 to replace and that's making them a bigger target for theft.

Traditionally, taking a tailgate off a pickup bed has been as simple as unclipping the cables, unplugging a wire loom and pivoting the tailgate. Thankfully, many new-truck makers now are integrating an electronic tailgate locking system into the key fob so gear inside the bed -- or the tailgate itself - is more protected.

But if your truck isn't equipped with that kind of system, there are plenty of high- and low-dollar choices you can add to keep your tailgate more secure. Our advice is to play it safe and be prepared, especially if you don't want to have to purchase an expensive new tailgate for your unlucky pickup.

Image from YouTube.com

VMAC UNDERHOOD Lite - The Real User Experience

See the VMAC UNDERHOOD Lite 30 CFM Vehicle Mounted Air compressor performing standard service call tasks. Come along for the ride and watch this real user experience from a first person view. Learn More: http://vmacair.com/products/underhood...

Ford F-150, Mustang, C-MAX Energi Honored with Top Quality Impact Awards; Ford Earns Corporate-Level Award

DEARBORN, Mich., June 20, 2016 – Ford F-150, Mustang and C-MAX Energi won accolades from customers for delivering a positive ownership experience and high vehicle quality, earning Top Quality Impact awards from Strategic Vision.

Ford F-150 – part of America’s best-selling lineup of F-Series trucks – won the full-size truck segment. The toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever was recognized by customers for delivering power and pick-up, safety and quality workmanship.

“We see time and again that for consumers, innovation does more to communicate quality than an absence of problems does,” says Christopher Chaney, senior vice president, Strategic Vision.

Ford Mustang – which became the world’s best-selling sports coupe in its first year of global availability – won in the standard convertible segment based on high scores for image, interior design, and power and pick-up.

Ford C-MAX Energi took – a plug-in hybrid that can run in all-electric mode or on gas – received top honors in the small alternative powertrain car segment. C-MAX beat all other small hybrid and electrified vehicles in the survey by more than 150 points, including earning high marks for interior workmanship, comfort and thoughtful engineering.

Ford was recognized in the corporation category of the Total Quality Impact awards.

The awards are based on survey responses from more than 39,000 owners of new 2016 model year vehicles after the first 90 days of ownership.

Read more here: http://www.strategicvision.com/#!“American-Quality-is-Already-Great-Again-Domestic-Vehicles-Win-Majority-of-Total-Quality-Awards”/xn2o1/57622f550cf2c6c5726628c7

Knapheide. Never Settle

At Knapheide, we never settle when it comes to the work-ready vehicle solutions we build. Find out what that means and how it makes our customers’ jobs a whole lot easier.

VMAC RAPTAIR-G30 Gas Drive Air Compressor at work

Get all the power you need in this small air compressor. No air tank required. The G30 gas drive air compressor with 30 CFM rotary screw air power.

Ford first in line for DriveVansA2Z 2016

Ford has announced its plans for the UK’s premier interactive, hands-on LCV driving event, DriveVansA2Z , taking place at the home of British motor sport, Silverstone, on 20 & 21 September 2016. Visitors will be able to get behind the wheel of Ford’s entire and extensive Euro 6-compliant light commercial vehicle line-up.

Andy Barratt, chairman and managing director, Ford of Britain commented: “We are delighted to be taking part at this year’s DriveVansA2Z event at Silverstone. It is a wonderful venue and a great place for visitors to test drive our new range of Euro Stage 6-compliant light commercial vehicles; not just the UK’s best-selling Transit range, but also Fiesta van and the Ranger pick-up.

DriveVansA2Z is a live show dedicated to vans, 4x4 pick-ups and vans, and light trucks. It allows visitors to see, touch, feel and drive back-to-back all kinds of vehicles, providing a real-world appraisal before that all-important purchase. Visitors can use the Stowe Circuit, perimeter roads, rough terrain and 4x4 course, all at this world famous racing circuit.

All drivers and operators of light commercial vehicles, regardless of the number they run, are welcome. Tickets are priced at £25 for the day, but register for the VansA2Z e-Newsletter and entry is free. Once registration has been completed we will e-mail a code to claim a free ticket by return.

Tickets and further information about the event can be found here.

Upscale 2017 Ford Super Dutys Get Heavy Duty Vinyl Floor Option

The 2017 Ford Super Duty will be different in many ways but offering a vinyl floor on top-of-the-line models is a stroke of genius because trucks with the option installed can be washed out the floor with a sponge, rag or hose if needed. Ford will offer an upgraded vinyl flooring on both King Ranch and Platinum models of the 2017 F-Series Super Duty trucks that go on sale this fall.

Vinyl flooring previously was offered on the lower XL and XLT trim levels, but this is the first time (for any HD truck maker) that the option has been extended to the more luxurious trims. Ford says that the "Super Duty customers... want the luxury of a King Ranch or Platinum edition, while maintaining their ability to use the truck for work without fear of ruining the interior."

Thankfully, the vinyl flooring in both the King Ranch (shown in these photos) and Platinum trim levels will be thicker and more durable than the base vinyl and will come with clips to install floor mats. Each trim's vinyl floor will also have a unique design to match the rest of the luxury interior.

Test drive: Ford’s F-650, Super Duty’s biggest brother

Sitting in Ford’s F-650, towering above the surrounding traffic, feels strangely familiar. Strange only because I haven’t driven the truck before, but familiar because of how much of its design is shared with its Super Duty siblings.

This generation F-650 gets a facelift that puts exterior styling and interior comforts more inline with the rest of the Super Duty lineup.

The bright orange 2016 F-650 dump truck I piloted through the greater Ann Arbor, Mich., area featured Ford’s Triton V-10 gasoline engine. Pumping out 320 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque, the 6.8 liter is the only gasoline engine offered in a Class 6-7 truck.

Whether in or outside of the cab, engine sound is minimal – hardly louder than you would expect from any standard size pickup – and that offers additional benefits.

“Pulling up on a job site before 7 a.m., people really appreciate not hearing the diesel clatter coming down the road,” says Kevin Koester, Ford’s medium duty truck and Super Duty fleet brand manager.

An optional 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbo diesel is also available with three power ratings. For anyone who’s driven the current generation Power Stroke diesels, you know “diesel clatter” is pretty minimal as well.

Regardless of which engine you choose, you’ll wind up with a fully integrated “Built Ford Tough” powertrain. The Cummins inline-six and Allison automatic transmission are no longer available. After the dissolution of Blue Diamond Truck Company – a partnership between Ford and Navistar – Ford went all-in on its own gasoline and Power Stroke diesel engines along with its built-in-house TorqShift HD 6-speed automatic transmission.
IMG_3403Inside my 4-door Crew Cab test truck, many cues are again borrowed from smaller Super Duty models, like the XLT cloth seats. Gauges, auxiliary switches and controls – including power window and locks – were all conveniently located and within reasonable reach for the driver.

“The ergonomics are very similar to Super Duty,” Koester adds. “You’re just riding higher.”

The air conditioning was cold on a cool June afternoon and the truck is standard with Ford’s SYNC system, which offers hands-free calling, AppLink and Bluetooth capabilities. If creature comforts are important, you’ll find plenty in the new F-650.

The chrome snout brings a little bling to a truck otherwise designed to be battered around a construction site, but the white 22.5-inch steel wheels bring you crashing back to the reality that this really is a work truck.

Egress in and out of the truck is surprisingly easy thanks to strategically located grab handles and side steps.

The front axle, a 8,500-lb. Dana D-850F, features 8,500-lb. parabolic taperleafs while the rear gets a 17,500-lb. Dana S17-140 (6.50 ratio) on 19,000-lb. multi-leafs.

Longer leaf springs versus prior generation models give the F-650 a smoother ride, almost like you’re driving your pickup – if your pickup was huge and had a GVWR of upwards of 26,000 pounds. Okay … so it doesn’t ride or handle exactly like a pickup, but it does drive more like one than you otherwise might expect. Steering was tight for a truck of its size.

Maneuverability, thanks in part to the massive windshield and the visibility it provides, was incredible. Navigating some of Michigan’s rural roads in a truck with a 194 inch wheelbase loaded with 5 yards of top soil was surprisingly easy and comfortable and posed little challenge to the rear springs. Ride and handing actually improved significantly with a dump full of dirt.

- See more at: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/test-drive-fords-f-650-super-dutys-biggest-brother/#sthash.QmOU9dk5.dpuf

COME AND DRIVE A SELECTION OF MANUFACTURERS VEHICLES AT THE WORLD FAMOUS SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT

Buying replacement light commercial vehicles? You have three options:

•         Stick to what you know,
•         Spend days arranging test drives and then, more days actually visiting the dealerships before you actually hit the road with your choices.
•         Visit DriveVansA2Z.

        Here’s what Rob Gill, Sun Motors editor thought.

DriveVansA2Z brings motor manufacturers to Silverstone where you can test, back to back, many of the latest vans, 4×4 pick ups and light trucks.

It’s a dedicated light commercial vehicle Show.  It’s the only interactive light commercial vehicle Show in Britain.  It’s £25 for a ticket, but a day well spent.  If you register as a reader of VansA2Z you will receive a free entry ticket, or look out for promotional codes and/or offers from industry outlets, exhibitors or national newspapers.

Test many vansThe Show takes place over two days, 20-21 September and you can choose which day you want to attend.  You can arrive when you like although the doors open at 08:30 on both mornings.  The test drives begin at 09:00 and continue throughout the day with last drives leaving the vehicle manufacturer’s stands at 16:30 in preparation for Show close at 17:00.

The format is super easy.  When you have arrived and had some refreshment, you will be shown a driver briefing video and the format of the day will be explained.  Once in the show ground area, simply visit the stand of the vehicle manufacturer whose products interest you, book a test drive and take the vehicle for a spin, then repeat with the other manufacturers and at the end of the day make an informed decision on which van, 4×4 van, 4×4 pick-up or light truck is best suited to you and your business needs.

test on road off roadYou can test drive anything that is on display experiencing realistic road conditions on a route around Silverstone’s perimeter road. If you want to see how the vehicle performs in, say for instance, the early days of a building site or across a field trying to reach a railway embankment or electricity installation then there is a rough terrain centre which will give you a really good idea of the vehicle’s capabilities in this environment and, if that’s not enough to help you choose your next vehicles then round it all off with a lap on the famous Silverstone Stowe Circuit. 

off road at drivevansa2zFor testing the serious 4×4 pick ups and 4×4 vans, there is a very challenging off road 4×4 course with instructors to help guide you. It is an amazing experience taking a vehicle through one of the toughest 4×4 courses in the UK and to witness, first hand, how these vehicles cope in such extreme circumstances is a real thrill. It is not often 4x4s spend much time doing what they were designed for but knowing their capabilities helps you choose the right one.

In between putting your chosen vehicles through their paces on the test drives, you can visit the static exhibitors and discover more about what products are available in the aftermarket, Driveit@ 2015 - Day1what can be added to your vehicles and who should be supplying you.  The static exhibitors comprise the companies that supply accessories and and ancillary products that make up the light commercial vehicle aftermarket.

All in all, we believe that DriveVansA2Z offers great value for money. It is a brilliant day out and not only helps you make the right decision regarding your vehicles, but most importantly, it helps your business.  You will meet other van operators, industry suppliers and have the chance to talk to the vehicle manufacturers and go home fully aware of what options are open to you when considering your next purchase.

Tickets are valid for entry on either or both days of the event. You will need to have with you your driving licence and a copy of your NI number in order that we can perform the necessary licence checks at reception. Each person attending needs their own separate registration in order that their details can be checked independently before event driving licences are issued.

DriveVansA2Z is exactly that.  An exciting, valuable and informative exhibition that will give you a far greater insight to the products you and your business need when considering transport and which vehicles are right for you.

To claim your free entry ticket now, visit vansa2z.com and register to become a reader, alternatively you can visit drivevansa2z.com and buy your entry ticket there.  Either way, we look forward to seeing you at Silverstone for what is set to be a fantastic event.

DriveVansA2Z – puts you in the driving seat.

Propane Autogas Fuels Fleets

Of the almost 9,000 vehicles equipped with ROUSH CleanTech fuel systems, nearly 500 operate in the food and beverage industry. This includes Bimbo Bakeries’ new Ford F-59s and Nestlé Waters North America’s 185 Ford F-650s.

“Propane autogas makes the most sense for fleets operating trucks and/or buses in the Class 4-7 range,” according to Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. “Most of our customers do not want to deal with the added cost and complexity of diesel and propane autogas is a great alternative option based on its lower fuel/maintenance costs and significantly reduced emissions.”

Propane autogas has many advantages driving adoption in Class 4-7, according to Mouw.

“One advantage is that propane autogas includes the flow pressure. It is a liquid fuel, which allows for a significant capacity of fuel (comparable to diesel) to be packed on the truck,” Mouw explained. “In addition, these trucks have horsepower and torque equivalent to a gasoline engine.”