Ford Transit, a Van for the Ages

Ford Truck's Tag Line,
Built Ford Tough

Ford Transit Van - Fullsize van

Low, Medium, and High Roof Ford
Transit Vans

Vans have been the workhorse of the tradesman since they first came on the market at the beginning of the automotive age. A truck that carries everything protecting them from the elements in fully enclosed body. In recent memory, the iconic van was the Ford Econoline, introduced to the marketplace in 1961, as an alternative to the pickup truck. The Van has been everything from a family hauler, to a camper, to a cargo mover to the everyday work vehicle of millions of workers worldwide.

In those 45 years Ford has increased its size and dominated the market place, not just in America, but worldwide. While Ford also makes smaller versions, currently the Transit Connect, and in the past a short-lived mid-sized van, the Aerostar / Windstar, they never are quite like the bigger brother, the E-Series. Now into the 21^st century with a world market for fuel efficient trucks and vans, Ford has brought to market Ford Transit, replacing the long lived E-Series.

Three engine choices on the Ford Transit

3.5L I-5 Power Stroke(r) Diesel

Powered by a 3.5L EcoBoost® 3.7L (standard) V6 gasoline engines, or a 3.2L Power Stroke® I-5 Turbo Diesel. This full-size van is front engine, rear drive with a 6-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift® capability. Choose your size from the Low Roof (LR) 150-250 through the Medium Roof (MR) 150 - 350 to the High Roof (HR) 250-350HD, with that range, there is a Ford Transit to meet almost every need, from light and heavy cargo hauling, to long body for carpet installers, to comfortable transport for 15 people.

6.5 inch center console screen offers more information to the
driver and passenger and is an option feature in the Transit.

While it can be outfitted with a basic interior with special order manual windows, no radio and cloth seats. Though what was once considered luxury items, such as satellite radio, CD, Bluetooth and USB ports are basic needs that make this van more livable. Lux the Transit out with a premium sound system, a 6.5 inch display on the center console complete with navigation, the screen can also display the view of the back-up camera. All the luxuries that once were relegated to passenger cars, such as 10-way adjustable leather seating and more can be ordered.

Roof has rack plugs
for easy accessory
applications.

On the outside, if you are towing a trailer, there is a hauling package complete with factory installed hitch, wiring for trailer brakes, even a controllable rear view camera to help guide you when hitching. Even plugs to attach roof racks to the van, without drilling into the body, exposing it to moisture and rust. Depending on your needs, you can choose a variety of cargo door options, from sliding side to double doors. On the rear the doors can be set up with handy locks to hold them open when you need to load in and worry about the doors swinging shut.

Easy lock and unlock of rear cargo doors.

The Transit can be set up in in van mode for cargo, outfitted bare bones, without any windows to haul a maximum amount of cargo, or it can be set up with fully fitted work storage combination to support any trade. Maybe you are looking for a Transit Van, fully finished interior with carpets seats and windows to carry passengers in style. Or even a Transit Cutaway and Chassis Cab for box truck, camper and other applications.

In driving the Ford Transit, there is no question first and foremost a work vehicle. While it can be nicely appointed, it does feature hardworking rugged plastic finishes, belying its working roots as a hard working truck. Though with a few optional accessories, even the roughest work truck can be dressed in some fancy Saturday night duds.

For more information on the Ford Transit line, stop into your Ford Truck dealer, if you are looking for it from a business perspective, there is the Business Preferred Network of dealers, which specialize in trucks for work, be it a fleet or a single van. www.ford.com/Transit_Van‎ 

Ford offers #CardShowCash for test driving vehicles.

Doing some research will help you find a variety of fleet discounts even if you are not a fleet operator. Costco, USAA, Credit Unions and other sources have discounts available to members, look into them, the benefits may be more than the cost of membership.

Four Door Coupe Sports Utility Vehicle GLE 450 AMG Coupe

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE, More than an SUV in Coupe Styling

The ML350, most are used to seeing a
Four Door Boxy SUV

There is a new Mercedes-Benz model on the road, the GLE Coupe. While it shares the model designation with the boxy SUV, that was the ML, it is designed in Mercedes-Benz’s 4-door coupe style. When M-B first leaked pictures of this new SUV, there were comments that it was a copy of BMW’s X6. A very different approach to the bread box shapped SUV that we have been seeing since the ML was brought to market in 1998 with the first generation ML320.

The new 2016 GLE Coupe, comes either as a 450 or a 63, both AMG models, each are very different as the price indicates; the GLE450 AMG starts at $65,100, while the GLE63 AMG starts at $109,300. The 450 is part of Mercedes-Benz’s new entry level AMG “Sport Model”, an entry point providing buyers AMG styling without the brawn the line has been known for in the past.

AMG Sport Models feature a Red detail on engine covers

The Exhaust of the GLE is is where the sounds of fire are made.

The GLE 450 comes with the AMG-Enhanced 6 cyl 3.0 bi-turbo engine and 9-speed automatic transmission, performance oriented 4MATIC all-wheel drive and Dynamic Select that allows drivers to select the level of performance they desire at any time from the car. Dynamic Select has four settings: Comfort; Sport; Sport+; or an individual setting, where a mix of all can be set. These adjust the ride comfort, engine response and steering. Sport+ sets a growl sound in the exhaust complete with pops and gurgles with engine management and a spray of fuel into the hot exhaust, for those who want a sound to come with their sportier driving settings. 

While the GLE 63 AMG continues to feature the handcrafted (one-man / one-engine) AMG 5.5 liter bi-turbo 8 cyl engine connected to a 7 speed automatic transmission, AMG High performance braking system, and a host of other goodies that make up the $40K difference in price between the two models.

GLE's rear seats fold down to provide plenty of cargo space

The spacious interior of the GLE Coupe provides plenty of room for five passengers and cargo even with the sloping rear hatch. Plenty of trunk area and folding down the rear seats increases that to be able to carry all but the boxiest of items. A large lift over rear sill, means you will not be sliding items in and out, like you would in the standard SUV. Passenger seating is comfortable, with a variety of different seat options including massage, heat and cool surfaces. Though we found the heavily bolstered seat cushion on some models required more effort to get in and out, than others.

Drivability is superb, the coupe’s ease of driving, tight turning radius, and command of the road, is like any other M-B. While the base model has plenty of bells and whistle, there are plenty of options that enhance the vehicle, like Driver Assist with Distronic Plus and Lane Keep Assist, for safety; Parking Assist with Parkronic for convenience. The rearview camera with the 360 degree view option is an excellent option on any Mercedes-Benz, showing you exactly where your vehicle is in relation to its surroundings. While Mercedes-Benz has included pretty much everything in the GLE coupe’s design, a heads up display would be an option that would be welcomed by many drivers.

The rearview camera pops out under the
 Star in the GLE

In talking to one new owner, who exuberantly stated it was a dream to drive, we have to agree. While it is a large vehicle, with plenty of power, it is nimble and drives like a smaller one. My only regret is that it is not sold as a non-AMG model, as the AMG add-ons seem unnecessary on this already excellently engineered vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz updated the model designations.

The nomenclature of Mercedes-Benz SUV’s are changing, all of them starting with the letter “G”: GLA for the smallest; GLC replacing the GLK; GLE replacing the ML, and GLS replacing the GL.

The legendary G-Wagen, while the almost 40 years old continues to be the daddy of them all. This coupe design of the GLE is the first real change we have seen since Mercedes-Benz released the mass market SUV’s, and like them it too is made at the MBUSI Plant in Alabama.



Build your own on MBUSA.com or better yet stop into a Mercedes-Benz dealer and see one for yourself.