Ford Motor Co. has announced the availability of compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane autogas fuel systems for its 2014 Transit Connect Taxi.
According to the company, the vehicle will feature Ford's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The CNG/autogas gaseous fuel prep package will be a factory option, and the actual natural gas or propane conversions will be handled through Ford's Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) program.
‘We're leveraging our longtime leadership and expertise in the North American taxi market to ensure Transit Connect Taxi exceeds the expectations of taxi operators and their passengers,’ says Tim Stoehr, commercial truck marketing manager for Ford. ‘Transit Connect Taxi has been popular in major metropolitan cities since it debuted in 2010, and it has only gotten better.’
Ford says the vehicle, which offers seating for five and 60.5 cubic feet of cargo volume, will be the only taxi offered with a CNG/LPG OEM prep package. Ford's full-size Transit also offers an optional gaseous prep package.
‘The new Transit Connect Taxi has been designed with the for-hire transportation driver and their passengers in mind, creating a product that combines stylish looks and improved comfort,’ adds Gerald Koss, fleet marketing manager for Ford.
The 2014 Ford Transit Connect Taxi will go into production by early 2014.
