{"id":9499,"date":"2021-01-26T12:33:01","date_gmt":"2021-01-26T11:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=9499"},"modified":"2021-01-26T12:33:01","modified_gmt":"2021-01-26T11:33:01","slug":"ford-transit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2021\/01\/26\/ford-transit\/","title":{"rendered":"2021 Ford Transit Offers Versatility for Fleets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photo courtesy of Ford.<\/em><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

The exterior of the 2021-MY Ford Transit carries over from the previous model year, save for the honeycomb\u00a0mesh grille, which is now standard on all\u00a0Transit\u00a0models.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

From a commercial fleet perspective, the notable additions to the 2021-MY Ford Transit are the ergonomic enhancements, in a nod to the burgeoning delivery market whose drivers enter the cargo area and exit the van hundreds of times a day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2021 Transit model follows a major refresh in 2020, in which Ford added a Crew version, a new standard engine, standard active safety technologies, and embedded modem to the Transit van family.<\/span><\/p>\n

2021 Highlights<\/span><\/h2>\n

In all 2021-MY Transit van models up to 9,500 lbs. GVWR, Ford replaced the manual parking brake on the floor with an electronic parking brake, creating a 50% wider clear aisle between the front seats. The overhead shelf is now optional for more clearance when standing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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An optional center console with right-side shifter further improves walkthrough and offers\u00a0more than 7 inches of additional driver legroom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For fleets all in on parcel delivery, Ford is now offering the Parcel Delivery Package, which adds 50\/50 hinged rear doors with a wide 253-degree opening. Full interior lighting facilitates early morning and late evening deliveries.<\/span><\/p>\n

As well, the armrests have been eliminated from both the driver and passenger seats to further improve cargo access.<\/span><\/p>\n

For limousine fleets, Ford added a Livery Package available for the XLT passenger van model. The Livery Package includes 10-way power seats with upgraded leather on all seats, power sliding side door, HID headlamps, full privacy glass, and 16-inch silver wheels.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the leisure side, Ford added RV and Adventure Prep packages and updated the Motorhome Prep Package available for 2021 models.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the biggest jobs, the Transit cargo van can be configured with dual rear wheels and a maximum GVWR of 11,000 pounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

2020 Carryovers<\/span><\/h2>\n

For the 2020 model year, Ford added a plethora of features and updates that carry forward to 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most significant change for 2020 was the addition of a Crew version to the Transit family. The Crew van offers a happy medium for fleets looking for ample cargo space and the ability to haul a crew of five with a second row, three-person removable bench seat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With two engines, three roof heights, three lengths, nine GVWR choices, and three rear axle ratios, spec\u2019ing the latest Transit could send fleet managers into \u201coption fatigue,\u201d says John Diederich, vehicle engineering supervisor at Ford. \u201cThis is when involving your commercial dealer really matters.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For 2020, the new standard engine became the 3.5L V-6, which offers the same 275 hp and similar torque (262 lb. ft.) as the outgoing 3.7L. Yet the newer engine\u2019s port fuel direct-injection technology is more efficient, particularly when combined with the new 10-speed transmission, says Diederich.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"In<\/span>
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In all 2021-MY Transit vans up to 9,500 lbs. GVWR, Ford replaced the manual parking brake on the floor with an electronic parking brake to improve walkthrough to the cargo area. <\/span>Photo courtesy of Ford.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 3.5L EcoBoost gas engine carries over from 2019. The EcoBoost, available as an upgrade, churns out 310 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque at much lower RPMs than the standard engine and now includes startstop technology.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The EcoBoost is designed to support high frontal area conversions like RVs, so it\u2019s included in the Motorhome Prep Package, but it can also be ordered for certain cutaway and chassis cab configurations that will be built into other vehicles with high frontal area conversions such as large box trucks.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Power Stroke diesel engine is no longer available, due to \u201climited market demand.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We tested a 2020-MY Transit Crew Van with the EcoBoost engine. For never-EcoBoost traditionalists, think more Boost, less Eco. This engine had plenty of guts to power through steep grades in the foothills of California\u2019s San Bernardino National Forest, albeit with fewer than 200 lbs. of camping gear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Added in 2020, Ford\u2019s optional all-wheel-drive system (AWD) is always engaged. It gives Ford an edge over Ram ProMaster and allows comparisons to the 4×4 package in the Mercedes Sprinter. The system will send 100% of the torque to the front or rear axles as needed for better performance on snow, ice, or in mud.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The benefit to Ford\u2019s AWD system, says Diederich, is that it does not raise the load floor or seat height over the standard rear wheel-drive model.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since time immemorial, automakers seemed content to keep the user experience in commercial vehicles austere and lacking the driver upgrades of passenger cars. Thankfully, automakers have converged truck and van cockpits even closer to consumer design, and the Transit is a good example.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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2021\u00a0FORD TRANSIT SPECS\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n