[Del]

Obviously the question is a touch ambiguous. Looking at RAM Promaster sales data I'm just curious...


oct 13: 570
nov 13: 828
dec 13: 1872
jan 14: 607
feb 14: 597
mar 14: 1106

Total: 5580

average per month: 930

TO put this in perspective the Econoline moved 11,642 units in March 14 alone, and 125,356 units in 2013. Do you think Transit will be able to replicate the success or will it see similar figures to the PM?

 

[Todd]

Ford will sell more transits in the US than all others combined. I predict 100,000 the first year and stepping up to 150,000 the second.

 

[VanMan]

I feel some of the Sprinter guys buying these as well, The Fiat import badged has a dodge just don't work. Ford clearly used the sprinter as a benchmark.
The sprinter is a good van, but getting them serviced is there #1problem.
Yes, I am VanMan on sprinter-source. Hope this forum becomes as helpful as that one, I will buy the Transit ans feel it will live up to the econoline history

Regards,
VanMan

 

[bbird]

I feel some of the Sprinter guys buying these as well, The Fiat import badged has a dodge just don't work. Ford clearly used the sprinter as a benchmark.
The sprinter is a good van, but getting them serviced is there #1problem.
Yes, I am VanMan on sprinter-source. Hope this forum becomes as helpful as that one, I will buy the Transit ans feel it will live up to the econoline history

Regards,
VanMan

Hello , too have a Sprinter, an 04 with over 5000,000 miles on It still gets great fuel mileage average is 23. However when it breaks down it in the shop for a few days and the parts are about twicw as much as a ford. So my next van will be a Transit gas. Diesel has no advantage over gas, unless your gonna haul heavy, over 3,000 lbs on a regular basis, ot tow over 10,000 lbs.

 

[VanMan]

The PUMA (ford internal name for the inline 5 cyl diesel) is a modern design: piezo fuel injectors and VG turbo. You have to remember that this engine is built south of the equator with different Labor rates and shipping costs.
The engine is used in other countries. I plan on buying a ecoboost 3.5 GDI engine. I live in Michigan and this last winter has shown that a diesel needs to be preheated, so add this to your operating cost. GDI is the future of gasoline engines, Ford and many GMs have it. My van is (will) not be a primary vehicle so fuel mileage is not #1. Every one that I know with a American van wishes it had more headroom.
For me= midroof,long wheelbase,3.5L eco,cargo

Regards,
VanMan

 

[Todd]

The Transit is the benchmark and Sprinter is the copycat. I fell in love with the Transit 12 years ago in London. Todd

 

[ted]

Sadly I think a good number of people will see it the other way as the Sprinter is pretty much everywhere and was I think the first cargo van of it's type in america.

 

[carryon]

the sprinter is a popular van but that doesnt mean sprinter owners wont jump over to other vans

there are more options now than ever.

 

[Del]

The PUMA (ford internal name for the inline 5 cyl diesel) is a modern design: piezo fuel injectors and VG turbo. You have to remember that this engine is built south of the equator with different Labor rates and shipping costs.
The engine is used in other countries. I plan on buying a ecoboost 3.5 GDI engine. I live in Michigan and this last winter has shown that a diesel needs to be preheated, so add this to your operating cost. GDI is the future of gasoline engines, Ford and many GMs have it. My van is (will) not be a primary vehicle so fuel mileage is not #1. Every one that I know with a American van wishes it had more headroom.
For me= midroof,long wheelbase,3.5L eco,cargo

Regards,
VanMan

welcome to the show Van Man, you're right about GDI being the future, but what does concern me is the studies now coming out finding that GDI engines pollute worse than typical injection as well as worse than Diesel. Once action is taken against this I fear the efficiency garbage they will be federally mandated to outfit are going to choke the feck out of GDI engines...

New car engines emit more harmful particles than predecessors: study | Reuters

 

[ted]

welcome to the show Van Man, you're right about GDI being the future, but what does concern me is the studies now coming out finding that GDI engines pollute worse than typical injection as well as worse than Diesel. Once action is taken against this I fear the efficiency garbage they will be federally mandated to outfit are going to choke the feck out of GDI engines...

New car engines emit more harmful particles than predecessors: study | Reuters

Wow never knew that, thats not good at all. I wonder if any other major media websites have picked up on this.

 

[Mc2guy]

welcome to the show Van Man, you're right about GDI being the future, but what does concern me is the studies now coming out finding that GDI engines pollute worse than typical injection as well as worse than Diesel. Once action is taken against this I fear the efficiency garbage they will be federally mandated to outfit are going to choke the feck out of GDI engines...

New car engines emit more harmful particles than predecessors: study | Reuters

Well, yes and no. You have to be careful when using terms like "Pollute" because it means a lot of different things.

Greenhouse gas emissions are now classified as a pollutant according to the U.S. Supreme Court. GDI engines pollute less because they are more efficient and put less CO2 in the air. Unspent hydrocarbons are a pollutant (and known carcinogen) under the Clean Air Act, and GDI engines pollute less because of their combustion efficiency. Particulates of size greater than 2.5 microns but smaller than 10 microns (those your body can't defend against) are also classified as pollutants under the CAA, and here is where GDI engines are performing slightly worse than conventional gas (but better than conventional uncontrolled diesel).

So, yes and no. GDI engines make more small particulates, in exchange for less NOx, GHG, and hydrocarbon emissions. Does that make them "worse"? Depends on your perspective I suppose. Here is some more info from a psuedo independent source: http://www.swri.org/3pubs/ttoday/Summer11/PDFs/ParticleEmissions.pdf

The good news is it appears that exhaust gas recirculation, which is one of the more expensive and troublesome control technologies is not terribly effective on GDI engines. Particulate filters appear to be the answer, assuming these get regulated any time soon.

 

[Del]

Well, yes and no. You have to be careful when using terms like "Pollute" because it means a lot of different things.

Greenhouse gas emissions are now classified as a pollutant according to the U.S. Supreme Court. GDI engines pollute less because they are more efficient and put less CO2 in the air. Unspent hydrocarbons are a pollutant (and known carcinogen) under the Clean Air Act, and GDI engines pollute less because of their combustion efficiency. Particulates of size greater than 2.5 microns but smaller than 10 microns (those your body can't defend against) are also classified as pollutants under the CAA, and here is where GDI engines are performing slightly worse than conventional gas (but better than conventional uncontrolled diesel).

So, yes and no. GDI engines make more small particulates, in exchange for less NOx, GHG, and hydrocarbon emissions. Does that make them "worse"? Depends on your perspective I suppose. Here is some more info from a psuedo independent source: http://www.swri.org/3pubs/ttoday/Summer11/PDFs/ParticleEmissions.pdf

The good news is it appears that exhaust gas recirculation, which is one of the more expensive and troublesome control technologies is not terribly effective on GDI engines. Particulate filters appear to be the answer, assuming these get regulated any time soon.

appreciate the link.

Correct, and one of the biggest issues with emissions regulations is the cult of CO2, this nearly blind focus on CO2 and CO2 only. So yes by that metric they do emit less CO2, but then again a diesel engine always emitted less CO2 than an equal petrol mill.

However, Germany's TUeV Nord independent vehicle researchers said in a study that GDI engines emit about 1,000 times more particles, including harmful carcinogens, than conventional petrol engines, and 10 times more than new diesel engines.

I had understood the need for particulate filters on diesels was to control the NOx emissions...

 

[VanMan]

The reference to the sprinter as the benchmark is for a new American van.I am new to this forum, but there seams to be comparisons to the Transit Custom. This van is availble in europe, smaller, fwd,rwd and awd. As the name says: Ford Transit USA forum I pay note to what we will be able to buy here (USA).
I have been a FAN of the Transit from day 1 in Europe so I know its been built for 50 years. GDI is the future of gasoline engines, Piezo injected diesels and some (small number) of electric vehicles. I build Powertrain equipment for the Main companies and see every thing 5-6 years ahead of production.

Regards, VanMan

 

[VanMan]

I also should say that GDI will evolve,the systems that the OEMs use have a lot of common parts, so pressures, pumps,injectors,ECU maps will improve things that are noted by others. This will be used for system improvements for everyone. CAFE requirements and emmisions are being delt with differently.
Back to the show: This looks like its going to be a nice van,bring it on!

Regards,
VanMan

 

[carryon]

thanks for sharing the info vanman

 

[Dwight]

Motor Trend's latest issue has a nice article about why its critical we only use big brand name gas in our Direct injection engines. Just an FYI for us future Ford Eco Boost Transit owners!

Basically, it talks about the government standard for fuel (Tier II) not being good enough, so 7 or 8 car makes banded together to write the "Top Tier" fuel standard to solve their engine problems.

You get "Top Tier" fuel (with the additives needed for DI engines) from Shell, BP, Chevron and others in all 3 grades of gas.

You really do get crap gas from the non-name brands.

 

[Del]

The reference to the sprinter as the benchmark is for a new American van.I am new to this forum, but there seams to be comparisons to the Transit Custom. This van is availble in europe, smaller, fwd,rwd and awd. As the name says: Ford Transit USA forum I pay note to what we will be able to buy here (USA).
I have been a FAN of the Transit from day 1 in Europe so I know its been built for 50 years. GDI is the future of gasoline engines, Piezo injected diesels and some (small number) of electric vehicles. I build Powertrain equipment for the Main companies and see every thing 5-6 years ahead of production.

Regards, VanMan

should we expect some behind the scenes insider knowledge, don't worry I didn't hear a thing

 

[VanMan]

GDI works, this is how alot of vehicles are going. You do not need a turbo(s), GDI is 15-20 percent improvement over 40 psi port injection. Small (basic) vehicle with a GDI engine will help meet CAFE requirements for car companys. Alot of good info on this site, but don't think it will change overnight. Gasoline quality is something to consider, I test the fuel from where I buy, and it averages 6% ethenol in S.E. Michigan area.
Go to your German dealerships and ask what they have and what is GDI models. New Corvette Stingray, (COOL) GM performance flagship = GDI
But I am here for a Cargo Van, Mid roof, LWB ecoboost and this is the only game in town.


Regards,
VanMan