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New York 2008: Ford Transit Connect Taxi In Service

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:00:09 -0500

Ford is attempting to leverage its long and prolific history in the taxi industry, with a cab concept based on its versatile Transit Connect commercial hauler.

The Blue Oval recognizes that the taxi game is changing rapidly, especially here in New York City, where new mandates are sure to alter the face of the typical city street. The Transit Connect taxi has the advantage of offering a small footprint and good fuel economy, combined with a rather massive interior. Eat your heart out Crown Vic.

Have a look at Ford’s new people mover concept in our galleries below, or read the full press release below the jump.

FORD TRANSIT CONNECT TAXI CONCEPT OFFERS NEW PERSPECTIVE ON URBAN TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Ford reveals fuel-efficient, nimble Transit Connect Taxi concept in the taxi capital of America – New York City.
A cavernous, easy-to-access interior marries the maneuverability and fuel efficiency of a small car, showing how perfectly suited Transit Connect is for carrying people and cargo through congested city streets.
Transit Connect provides another example of how Ford is leveraging its global product lineup. Transit Connect is designed, engineered and manufactured by Ford of Europe. It was named International Van of the Year when launched in 2003.
NEW YORK, March 19, 2008 – Ford, the leading provider of taxis in North America, is offering a fresh take on taxis at the New York International Auto Show.
"Taxis are an important part of the urban landscape, and the Transit Connect Taxi concept represents a potential game-changer, given its small footprint, comfortable, spacious interior, fuel-efficient engine and affordability," said Mark Fields, president of The Americas. "We're interested to see how people react."
Ford has been a leader in the taxi business for decades. The Ford Crown Victoria is the leader in the taxi market in cities throughout the U.S.
Ford also was the first manufacturer to introduce gas-electric hybrid-powered taxis into North American fleets with the launch of the Ford Escape Hybrid in San Francisco and New York City in early 2005. Today, New York's Escape hybrid fleet has grown to more than 800, including the original 18 that joined the fleet in 2005, still running with the original nickel-metal hydride batteries intact.
The Transit Connect Taxi concept offers a new perspective on how to move people and their gear through congested city streets – more cleanly, efficiently and with new technology that could revolutionize the taxi industry.
Built on a dedicated, commercial vehicle platform and tested to Ford's toughest truck standards, Transit Connect is specially made to meet the extreme demands of taxi service.
With its standard, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission, Transit Connect delivers estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city – a more than 30 percent improvement in fuel economy and nearly 90 percent lower tailpipe emissions than many of today's traditional taxis.
A Small Footprint with Big Potential
Transit Connect blends well into cityscapes. Its smart, vertical stacked design is able to accommodate three rear-cab passengers and 75 cu. ft. of parcels – in part because it emulates the city skyline that surrounds it.
"When cities ran out of horizontal space at the turn of the 20th century, architects started to build upward," said Peter Horbury, executive director of Design, The Americas. "The Transit Connect Taxi concept brings that same idea to the streets, changing the shape of the space, making it taller with a smaller and narrow footprint."
In addition to its new shape, the Transit Connect Taxi concept's paint scheme and expressive graphic treatment lend it unique personality.
Designers didn't abandon iconic yellow paint – but they did change the formula to a more modern hue that contrasts with deep gray, molded-in-color fender flares as well as front and rear fascias that serve dual duty as impact-resistant bumpers.
Most noticeable up top is a futuristic interpretation of the yellow "taxi bubble." The space-age looking flat-panel unit, mounted horizontally above the Taxi concept's roof, is lit on all four sides – green if the cab is available, orange if it's occupied.
Easy Access to a Spacious, Tech-Laden Interior
The Transit Connect Taxi concept gives "curb service" new meaning. With 6.5-inches of ground clearance, passengers step easily through the sliding doors and into the cab, instead of sliding down into the back seat.
The concept's standard high-roof van offers ample headroom, accentuated by a vista roof that brightens the three-person passenger compartment and provides views of the urban architecture.
The Taxi concept also features a new electronic infotainment and navigation system that shows passengers their accumulating cab fare, and a scrolling news, weather, sports score and stock ticker. Using the 13-inch diagonal touch screen, passengers also can select their choice of video and music channels, follow the taxi's journey on a map or scroll through a list of points of interest along the route – including restaurants, museums and shops.
Once at the destination, the screen displays the fare with options to pay via cash, credit or debit. Cardholders can swipe their card, enter a pin number for debit, calculate the tip and complete the transaction right from their seat. Cash-paying passengers can use "Sputnik," a rotating billet aluminum softball-sized orb that replaces the outdated sliding ashtray used on today's taxis.
Ahead of the partition, the driver's area comes with a fold-flat passenger seat that doubles as a work station. The Transit Connect Taxi concept is equipped with a special version of the Ford Work Solutions integrated computer.
The in-dash computer, powered by Microsoft Auto, provides full high-speed Internet access via the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network and works with Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones. Thanks to Garmin navigation, the system features real-time weather and traffic information, allowing drivers to find the most trouble-free routes.
A History of Strong Products
In addition to taxi leadership, Ford has made a name for itself across the Atlantic for vans such as Transit Connect that people can rely on to get the job done. Transit Connect is designed, engineered and manufactured by Ford of Europe.
Launched in 2003, Transit Connect was named International Van of the Year its first year in-market. Transit Connect will come to the U.S. in summer 2009, as a brand-new offering for small business owners seeking fuel-efficient, flexible transportation with plenty of room to fit their needs.
"Transit Connect provides another example of how Ford is leveraging its global product assets," Fields said. "Small business owners have told us how eager they are to see this product come to the U.S. next year, and it will be interesting to see how many other types of customers might want a Transit Connect in their garage or driveway as well."

New York 2008: 2009 Honda Fit Debuts in NYC

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:00:18 -0500

Honda has revealed the updated version of its popular small car, the 2009 Fit, here at the New York Auto Show.

New for the 2009 model year in Honda’s tiniest U.S. entry is a satellite navigation system with voice-recognition software, an MP3-friendly USB port, and revised multi-positional rear chairs that the company calls “Magic Seats.

New York 2008: Unattended Nissan Denki Cube Captured Live in NYC

Seyth Miersma — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:00:29 -0500

Nissan hasn’t gotten around to debuting its all-electric Denki Cube concept yet, but the company’s show minders didn’t bother to cover the boxy EV either.

Denki is basically an electric version of the Japanese Domestic Market Cube with a white-out body kit, and a yellow interior treatment that looks as if it could glow in the dark. We’ll be able to report more after Nissan gives us the facts and figures later in the day, but until then take a look at our live gallery of images.

If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com

New York 2008: Hail a Cab with Ford’s Transit Connect Taxi Concept

Evan McCausland — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:30:24 -0500

With the demise of the illustrious Crown Victoria nigh, Ford - as well as cab drivers in New York City - may have to look to new ideas to fill the hole left by the sedan's departure. Perhaps it's fitting, then, that Ford's fitted a new Transit Connect to demonstrate the European van's ability to serve in livery fleets. We could do without the two-toned paint ripped out of Judge Dredd, but many of the Transit Connect's features seem more than ideal for a modern NYC taxi. Fitted with a second-row bench, the Taxi concept seats five like the 'Vic, but offers nearly four times the amount of luggage space. Those twin sliding doors may be minivan-like, but they do provide easy entry and exit without protruding into traffic.

Ford's added a few extra goodies, equipping the Transit with its new Work Solutions system for the operator, but also giving passengers a new interactive navigation and payment computer on the rear partition. And for those more concerned with the view than the drive, a panoramic glass roof allows for upward sightseeing - important for tourists in the Big Apple. We think the Transit Connect has promise for such an application, but we'd have to see Ford start working on fitting a hybrid propulsion system if the concept is to see widespread use in NYC. With mayor Michael Bloomberg promising all future taxis will be HEVs by 2012, perhaps a gasoline-electric Connect is just what the jitney ordered.

NEW YORK, March 19, 2008 – Ford, the leading provider of taxis in North America, is offering a fresh take on taxis at the New York International Auto Show.“Taxis are an important part of the urban landscape, and the Transit Connect Taxi concept represents a potential game-changer, given its small footprint, comfortable, spacious interior, fuel-efficient engine and affordability,

New York 2008: Nissan’s Denki Cube EV Breaks Cover

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:00:13 -0500

While we were already aware that Nissan was bringing an all-electric version of its Japanese domestic market Cube to the New York Auto Show tomorrow, we didn’t know exactly what the prototype would look like…until now. Images of what’s being called the Nissan Denki (which means ‘electric’) Cube concept have cropped up a bit early thanks to some industrious members of a Nissan fan forum. The Denki concept retains all that one might love about the original Cube, most notably its Scion-like two-box styling, while being dressed up a bit with some futuristic wheels and a funky interior. Check out some early looks at the Denki Cube in our gallery below, and stay tuned for Nissan’s official release of the car from New York tomorrow.

+ Super Nissans (via Autoblog)

If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com

Nissan Will Bring EV Concept to New York Auto Show

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:00:17 -0500

Though it has been conspicuously absent from the hybrid vehicle market thus far, Nissan is planning to go all-out with a fully electric car in 2010. The EV will be tested with U.S. and Japanese fleet customers first, with plans to move the car into the retail market by 2012.

Nissan is partnering with NEC Corporation to develop the lithium ion batteries needed to make the EV a reality, and plans to test the first units in its Cube small car. The boxy Cube is currently sold in Japan only, but the next generation of the vehicle will be offered for sale in the U.S.

While it’s unclear exactly if the upcoming electric car will be called the Cube, Nissan has indicated that the technology will first show up in a small vehicle. The New York Auto Show later this month should provide a few answers about Nissan’s EV, the company has said it will use that venue to show off a concept car that hints at future styling and technology. Early reports tell us that the battery-powered Nissan will be capable of a 75 mph top speed, with a range of 100 miles, and a recharging time of eight hours.

Be sure to stay tuned to WINDING ROAD News for our coverage of the Nissan stand at the New York Auto Show.

+ Automotive News: Nissan: Electric car to get here in 2010

If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com