[blakej59]

http://www.autonews.com/article/20160201/OEM04/302019976/ford-tests-diesel-powered-f-150

Wondering if this might end up in the Transit some day. With a 10 speed tranny?

 

[Byron the Painter]

Ahhh, if only we could see into the future! One thing is for sure, GM is eventually going to produce an fancy new van of their own...and it's likely to have the next generation engines. But that's a minimum of 3 years away, probably more.

I think the drivetrains of the current Transits will be the same for many years. But then again, who knows what Ford (and others) have to do during the next decade to meet the government mileage mandates. I think that rather than make their big vehicles do so much better, they'll do it to the small ones.

A whole new drivetrain is certainly a big deal...they seem to only do that with a model redesign.

Yeah, that's it...New for 2018! Ford adds fog lights and ALL NEW ENGINES!

 

[blakej59]

I can't see Ford maintaining 2 light duty diesel engines. I believe if Ford is testing a new V6 diesel (along with 10-speed) for F150, it'll likely show up in Transit down the road.

 

[bbird]

more interested in the tranny, with gas engines being more powerfull (E.B) the diesel is losing its credibility, thanks to Emisions and higer maintance costs

 

[hammerdown]

If they get the tranny programming right it'll rock. But if it falls on it's face every time you take you foot off the gas, like the 6-speed, it won't provide much more than frustration.

 

[Budsky]

hammerdown- yours isn't right. Mine works great.

 

[CrewVanMan]

Ford needs to do something similar to what was done back in 2006 when they modified a Navistar 6.0L V-8 to come up with a 4.5L V-6 Diesel EXCEPT use the current Ford 6.7L Diesel engine to come up with a 5.2 Diesel V-6. This is basically cutting off the front 2 cylinders to come up with this design. Use everything from the 6.7L just modifying it to the V-6 platform.

The 6.7L diesel currently has a 440hp rating, so could the 5.2 Diesel be something close to 300hp? Then you would have a increase from the 3.2L Diesel rated at 185hp with a lot more towing capacity.

 

[orton]

A whole new drivetrain is certainly a big deal...they seem to only do that with a model redesign.

The same van body is used in Europe with a 2.1 liter diesel and a 6 speed manual or automatic. The engineering is done so that smaller diesel could be added here. Would think that would be a nice engine for city delivery vans.

 

[Budsky]

The 6.7L diesel currently has a 440hp rating, so could the 5.2 Diesel be something close to 300hp? Then you would have a increase from the 3.2L Diesel rated at 185hp with a lot more towing capacity.

The ecoboost has more horsepower and torque than the diesel but no higher towing capacity- I suspect the limiting factor may be the unibody design, rather than engine power.

 

[Byron the Painter]

The same van body is used in Europe with a 2.1 liter diesel and a 6 speed manual or automatic. The engineering is done so that smaller diesel could be added here. Would think that would be a nice engine for city delivery vans.

Well now, look at Mr. Smarty Pants!! Good point...also, I remember that Ford swapped out the drivetrain on the F-150 in '11 without a redesign.

God knows what'll happen...I really can't imagine better performance than this ecoboost as it is...but it's the diesel guys lookin' for more power.

Like Budsky said, it just doesn't have the frame. I think Ford plans on keeping the E-series chassis and cut away for about 5 more years? I heard that somewhere legit...

 

[airmengarrettm]

The ecoboost has more horsepower and torque than the diesel but no higher towing capacity- I suspect the limiting factor may be the unibody design, rather than engine power.

Budsky I think you're spot on...power is not the only determining factor in what the Transit may tow, that unibody limits it.
For example look at the other vehicles that tow in the Ford lineup...if you buy an Explorer Sport with the 3.5L Twin-turbo V6 the towing capacity doesn't go up with the increase power from the base engines.
That's because it's the same chassis, brakes, transmission, etc.
Everything would need to be upgraded along with the higher power to increase a Transit's towing.