Ford Shows Transit Connect Taxi Concept
But really, they say, it's not a concept. The Transit Connect compact van (already confirmed for the U.S.) will be a taxi, especially in the taxi capital of America, New York City. With the Crown Victoria going out of production, Ford needs a big car to take its place in the taxi lineup. So it's a hybrid, right? Wrong. Despite Mayor Mike Bloomberg's insistence that all NYC taxis must be hybrids by 2012, the Transit Connect taxi is internal combustion as usual. It'll have the same 4-cylinder gas engine, front wheel drive, and not-cutting-edge 4-speed automatic as the private sale versions of the TC. Still, it makes a fantastic taxi because it is so easy to get in and out of, and it's loaded with legroom. Sliding doors will be especially welcome on Manhattan's absurdly clogged streets, and it's one of the nicest things about the Toyota Sienna minivans already on the road. Ford's reps also confirm that the wheelbase of all American TCs will be stretched from the standard short wheelbase on sale in Europe. Pity it only seats 4 passengers but a third row was probably a bit of a stretch.
Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.
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This is the vehicle if you want to pay to be driven around feeling like a load of cargo. Ford ought to go all the way, and adopt the "cattle cars" I was transported around in on Parris Island during Marine Corps boot camp.
Good move, Ford. This vehicle will make a great taxi. The Crown Victoria is good, tough car, but I never thought it was particularly roomy in the back seat. If anything, given the car's size, the back seat is cramped and difficult to enter and exit.
Good idea, good timing. With any luck, the Duratorq diesel will follow. P71_CrownVic :Ford has NEVER said that the Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, and Town Car are going out of production. Maybe there's a Mexican factory somewhere we don't know about, but otherwise its doom and gloom for the Panther.
"And what is the advantage of this over the minivans already on the market?" The Transit Connect is more the size of a Mazda 5 than it is a typical bloated "mini"van, yet it has as much interior space as a Ford Expedition. It is designed and built as a commercial vehicle with function and longevity the top priorities rather than style and cup holder count. Also, there is no third row seat taking up space. It is an idea configuration for city taxi-cab duty. I wonder why the London Taxi continues to exist?