Ford Upgrades the Transit Van for 2020-Adds All-Wheel Drive

Ford is trying to grow its share of the full-size van market, adding key upgrades to its 2020 Ford Transit van. The Transit will get all-wheel drive improving its handling in all types of weather. Plus, it is adding a suite of driver-assist technology to make the vehicle easier for anyone to drive.

Ford claims to be America’s van leader for 40 years. It plans to improve its best-selling van with new technology to make the vehicle more appealing to families and to customers who use them for work.

“When we introduced Transit five years ago, it immediately became America’s go-to full-size van for fleets, small businesses and large families,” said Mark Buzzell, Ford director, fleet, lease and remarketing operations. “We listened to our commercial and family customers and updated Transit with useful amenities like standard Wi-Fi so kids or crew can stay connected, and helpful driver-assist features like available adaptive cruise control to take the stress out of traffic.”

The 2020 Ford Transit is even offering new seating configurations so that it can meet just about any buyers’ needs. A new power sliding door is also available for the passenger van and the cargo van to make loading up as well as exiting the vehicle easier.

One of the most desirable improvements is the availability of all-wheel drive. That will make the 2020 Transit even more attractive as a recreational vehicle. It will be especially important to anyone who lives in heavy-weather climates. It will also be important to work customers who have to deal with icy, snowy or muddy roads. Ford worked out a way to add all-wheel drive without having to raise the floor on the van, so it is still easy to get in and out of.

“We integrated Transit’s new all-wheel-drive system into the vehicle design early on to ensure it does not raise the load floor or seat height, making this van configuration as easy to enter and exit as the standard rear-wheel-drive model,” said Ray Eyles, Ford Transit chief program engineer. “This is a significant benefit for commercial drivers who are in and out of their vehicles dozens of times a day, as well as for shuttle bus passengers and families.”

Easier to Maneuver

Every 2020 Transit van comes with a host of driver-assist technologies. Drivers will have help avoiding accidents with alerts like Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking and Pedestrian Detection, forward collision warning, post-collision braking, Lane-Keeping System and auto high-beam headlamps.

The Transit passenger van XLT is equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360, which adds a Blind Spot Information System with trailer coverage and cross-traffic alert. The XLT also has a new side sensing system to let you know if another vehicle is encroaching.

Customers can also opt for an enhanced active park assist which can help maneuver into parallel or reverse perpendicular parking spots. With the touch of a button, it provides prompts to the driver to manage gear selection, accelerator and braking, while Transit automatically steers itself into place. The Enhanced active park assist can also help the driver get out of a parking space. It automatically steers the van out of a space while the driver controls the gear shifter, accelerator and brakes.

Other new driver-assist options include adaptive cruise control, front and rear split-view camera and the ability to limit the top driving speed.

Connectivity is King

The 2020 Ford Transit is equipped with the FordPass Connect™ modem with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and connectivity for up to 10 devices. There are also USB outlets in every row of the passenger van. There should be plenty of outlets to keep family members or coworkers busy. It will also make it much easier for commercial customers who use their van as their mobile office or workshop.

New Engines Provide More Options

Ford is equipping the 2020 Transit with a new standard V6 engine. The all-new 3.5-liter PFDi V6 features port fuel and direct injection for improved efficiency versus the outgoing 3.7-liter engine. Customers can also opt for an all-new 2.0-liter EcoBlue® bi-turbo I4 diesel engine. It is more fuel-efficient and offers more power and torque than the outgoing 3.2-liter diesel engine. It is equipped with Auto Start-Stop and is quieter than its current model.

Customers can also choose the 3.5-liter EcoBoost® gas engine, which also includes Auto Start-Stop technology. Both gas engines can be ordered with dual 250-amp alternators to provide power for added equipment.

All engines will be paired with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission. The new engines and 10-speed transmission are i designed to improve fuel economy for model year 2020, although Ford didn’t release any specific numbers.
The upgraded 2020 Ford Transit will be available this fall.