We already have an excellent little runabout van from Ford called the Transit Connect. What if you need more efficiency and need less space, like a courier or delivery company? Maybe this wee little Ford Fiesta van (which is basically a Fiesta with a flat rear floor, no passenger glass, no passenger seats and one cubic meter of cargo space) could fit the bill.
Could be cool, especially with an uber efficient diesel capable of up to 85.6 mpg (which is about 71.2 mpg U.S.)
The problem with the Ford Transit Connect is that it gets good gas mileage when it should be getting great gas mileage. Ford has yet to bring a diesel to the United States for the Transit Connect and even the EcoBoost is nowhere to be found. There is no manual transmission option either.
With the rear seat removed, the Ford Fiesta Van is pretty roomy and you can’t ignore these efficiency numbers.
“The Fiesta Van powertrain choice includes the new 75PS 1.5-litre Duratorq TDCi and 95PS 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engines – both built in Dagenham – and the 82PS 1.25-litre Duratec petrol units, assembled at Bridgend. The ultra-efficient Fiesta Van ECOnetic offers the specially developed 95PS 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi powertrain with standard Auto-Start-Stop, lowered suspension, aerodynamic rear under-tray and wheel trims, and low rolling resistance tyres.” – – Ford Media
MINI has already released a similar type of small van based on their Clubman.
Why do I think this Ford Fiesta Van work here? Well, it’s not a question of why more than it’s a question of where. Places like New York and San Francisco would benefit from the diminutive Ford Fiesta Van. Parking and negotiating traffic would be a snap. Easy in, easy out and easy loading… seems like an easy choice to me.
There is no mention of a worldwide price, but in the UK, the base Fiesta Van starts at £11,590 (about $18,845 US) the regular Fiesta starts at £8,725 (about $14,186 US), so it looks like just under £3,000 for a van version of the Fiesta in the United Kingdom. What do you get for that premium?
Ford says, “Stylish new Fiesta Van offers an agile and good looking vehicle with class-leading fuel-efficiency – all diesel engines achieve sub-100 g/km CO2 emissions and 76.4mpg* or better Fiesta Van debuts new Dagenham-built 75PS 1.5-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel; Fiesta Van ECOnetic variant features enhanced fuel-saving technologies to deliver best-in-class 87g/km and 85.6mpg. Fiesta Van introduces segment-first technologies including in-car connectivity system SYNC with Emergency Assistance, Active City Stop, and MyKey system to encourage safer driving, plus practical features like Easy Fuel and Rear View Camera”
A significantly redesigned Ford Fiesta is about to hit the streets in the United States with a three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. We have yet to drive one, but that three-banger looks like a smart bet for a vehicle like the Fiesta and Fiesta Van in North America. We’ll have to wait and see about that.
