Drew Dowdell

Ford today took the wraps off the newest addition to the growing Transit Connect family. Called the Transit Connect Wagon, Ford is careful not to call it a minivan. As a reflection of the versatility of the Transit Connect it is built on, the TC Wagon will be available in 2 wheelbases, 5 or 7 passenger seating, and have a choice of either a 2.5 naturally aspirated 4-cylinder or a 1.6T 4-cylinder with Ecoboost. Configured as a short wheelbase version with the Ecoboost engine, the TC Wagon's fuel economy is estimated at over 30mpg. On the utility side of things, the short wheelbase version has a cargo capacity of 120 cubic feet with the long wheelbase version bumping that number up to 150 cubic feet once the fold flat 2nd and 3rd row seating is lowered. Payload capacity checks in at over 1,200lbs and with a tow rating of 2,000lbs. Ford is quick to point out the TC Wagon's payload rating is higher than the more more fuel hungry Dodge Grand Caravan and Toyota Tacoma Double Cab with towing capability 500lbs more than a 4-cylinder Toyota Highlander. An option that should be popular around the halls of CheersandGears.com, the TC Wagon will be available with either a liftgate or side-hinged cargo doors. Ford is marketing the Transit Connect Wagon as a mini-van alternative in a compact car package. Ford has lacked an entry in the mini-van market in the US since the Ford Freestar went out of production in 2007. The 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon marks a return to that market... just don't call it a mini-van until the Ford guy turns his back. Gallery: Ford Press release on page 2 Ford Introduces New Seven-Passenger People Mover with a Difference: Transit Connect Wagon First to Exceed 30 MPG Ford brings the compact Transit Connect Wagon to market, a vehicle so unique it is a revolution in seven-passenger transportation Transit Connect Wagon expected to deliver at least 5 mpg better fuel economy on the highway and 2 mpg better in the city than a seven-seat Toyota Sienna minivan, and more cargo space and passenger seating than Mazda5, yet hauls a heavier payload than a Toyota Tacoma Double Cab pickup or Dodge Grand Caravan Anticipating up to 30 mpg-plus on the highway with EcoBoost® power, Transit Connect Wagon offers a choice of two fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines, two wheelbase lengths and three series models – XL, XLT and range-topping Titanium Transit Connect Wagon takes adaptability to a new level with the convenience of sliding side doors, fold-flat second- and third-row seating, a 1,200-pound-plus payload, and choice of a rear liftgate or symmetrical, side-hinged cargo doors DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 13, 2012 – Ford, the most fuel-efficient full-line manufacturer, introduces the first seven-passenger people mover expected to break the 30 mpg-plus highway barrier with the all-new Transit Connect Wagon, which drives like a car, has the flexibility of a utility and can haul the payload of a full-size pickup. “Transit Connect Wagon gives young families and people on the go the fun-to-drive and efficient vehicle they’ve been looking for,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s President of The Americas. “It’s an all-new, smaller seven-seater that has better mileage than larger vans and creates a segment of its own. Customers also will love the unique combination of style, adaptability and affordability this wagon brings.” Transit Connect Wagon is offered in two wheelbase lengths, in five- and seven-passenger configurations, and in XL, XLT and Titanium series levels. No other wagon in the market today offers the convenience of fold-flat seating, at least a 1,200-pound payload and more than 100 cubic feet of cargo space. When properly equipped, this versatile wagon is approved to tow up to 2,000 pounds, 500 pounds more than a four-cylinder Toyota Highlander SUV. Have it your way Transit Connect Wagon offers customers a choice between two fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines – a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an optional 1.6-liter EcoBoost® that is estimated to deliver 30 mpg-plus on the highway. This powertrain makes Transit Connect Wagon the gas mileage leader among seven-passenger vehicles. Both engines come mated to a convenient six-speed automatic transmission, geared for around-town responsiveness and low-rpm highway cruising. Transit Connect Wagon is available in a wide variety of configurations and series levels, offering unexpected features in a high-value package with low operating costs. This stylish, contemporary design is offered in two wheelbase lengths, a choice of five- or seven-passenger seating arrangements, and offers meaningful options like a full-glass panoramic roof, rear view camera, 6.5-inch touch screen display with navigation, and SYNC® with MyFord Touch® – Ford’s highly acclaimed voice-activated communications and entertainment system. Transit Connect Wagon’s global design includes premium cues throughout such as available full body-color exterior accents with jewel-like chrome trim and high-gloss interior trim pieces. A range of seating surfaces, from luxurious leather, comfortable cloth and heavy-duty vinyl, is available to suit the specific needs of a wide variety of potential customers. Commercial-strength DNA in a family versatility vehicle Transit Connect Wagon’s work-hard/play-hard nature is reflected in cargo-carrying capacity and room for up to seven comfortably seated passengers, wrapped in a high-strength body engineered to rigorous global commercial vehicle durability standards. The all-new Transit Connect Wagon builds on the foundation of reliability and durability established by the current Transit Connect compact van. Introduced in North America in 2009, Transit Connect has become the must-have vehicle for small business proprietors, thanks to its unmatched combination of payload and cargo capacities, adaptability, fuel efficiency, maneuverability and overall ease of driving. Transit Connect was recognized as an innovative “white space” vehicle – literally carving out a new category in the market – by the automotive industry press corps when it was named North American Truck of the Year in January 2010 at the North American International Auto Show. Now selling at a pace of 35,000 units per year, Transit Connect has become a favorite of small businesses, corporate fleets, taxi operators and a few individualistic owners who find its combination of a car-like ride and the cargo capacity of a van just right for their personal use. “The all-new Transit Connect Wagon will expand the personal-use audience for this versatile nameplate by offering up to seven-passenger capacity across three rows of seating in a fully trimmed interior,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford vice president of Global Engineering, Global Product Development. “It has an extensive selection of comfort, convenience and connectivity options, and a full complement of safety features – making it a modern, family-friendly alternative to oversized minivans.” All Transit Connect Wagon models feature first-row frontal, pelvis and side airbags, with first-, second- and third-row side curtain airbags in long-wheelbase models. Short-wheelbase versions get first- and second-row side curtain airbags. Ford’s award-winning MyKey® programmable ignition key enables restricting maximum vehicle speed and audio system volume, bringing additional peace of mind to both parents and fleet administrators alike. Transit Connect Wagon even offers a child observation mirror so parents can keep track of children safely belted in second- and third-row seats. Infinite adaptability Inside, the Transit Connect Wagon package is a rolling showcase for adaptability in hauling both people and cargo. From its 60/40 three-passenger second-row bench seat through fold-flat second- and third-row seating with third-row independent fore-and-aft sliding capability, Transit Connect Wagon quickly adapts to accommodate multiple combinations of people and cargo. Also available is an electric windshield defroster, making short work of icy windshields in wintry conditions and when parking Transit Connect Wagon on the street. The versatile Transit Connect Wagon offers far better fuel efficiency than traditional minivans, compact-car-like maneuverability and handling, combined with unprecedented payload and cargo capabilities. Look for Transit Connect Wagon to appear in North American Ford dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2013. Consumers can get more information and learn more about the Transit Connect Wagon at http://ford.com/transitconnectwagon. View full article

As mentioned before, we will be moving servers. The new server is being prepared now. We are getting a minor upgrade in RAM but a major upgrade in Disk as we are moving from a standard disk RAID to an SSD raid. This should hopefully improve the performance of the site substantially. As a nice bonus, server costs will be cut in half (yay for coupon codes!). Once the migration to the new server is complete, there will also be a few software upgrades to the script that runs CheersandGears.com. I have already added a blogging module that you can see above and any registered user can now start their own blog on C&G. Also coming after the site move is a new Advertising system allowing me to sell advertising directly rather than just going through an ad exchange. I don't have exact timing as to when these changes go in... so if you see the "We're Moving" sign, please just be patient, we'll be back online shortly.

Looks like Corvette might get this too.

I've never been an SUV kinda guy. I'd buy a B-body wagon before a truck if Albert would let me... but he won't drive it due to the size, so I can't. The only SUV, and I use the term loosely, that I would buy for myself would be the Avalanche. edit: And he'd just have to deal with it.

diesel 3-series wagon? That might be just enough to get me into a BMW.

Answer honestly.

Yeah, the rims are absolutely terrible. They're ugly beyond ugly. That's why I'll be replacing the rims with a set of these soon: I've always liked Year One's 17" Rally Rim reproductions and considered buying a set for my old black Turdmaro. That's what will be going on this car. That's a seat from either a late '90s Grand Prix or early 2000's Impala, I believe. Yes, I said a seat. The previous owner started to replace the original worn out ones and stopped at the driver's seat. I still have the original driver's seat, but I'm not sure I'm going to reupholster it, the passenger side seat, or the rear seat bottoms. I'm open to criticism here, but I'm thinking a set of Recaros out of a Cobalt SS may be what I use to replace the front seats, if not at least a set of seats out of a fourth-gen F-Body. Of course, they'll be recovered with more factory-style coverings. I do plan on reusing at least the back of the rear seat. I'm afraid so. I have no idea who in the hell made those things, but I'd like to hope that they've went out of buisness. We'll get there sometime this winter I hope. So far, I'm planning on painting the car black and adding a custom hood and lower body side graphics, although I'm also considering a few Holden-sourced paint options as well. As far as the body goes, it's 85 percent straight and 85 percent rust free. None of your typical F-Body rust has gotten to the rocker panels or any of the rear sheetmetal. The floorpans do have some very mild rust issues (which second-gen F-Body car doesn't?), but that's no big deal. I can spend $200 bucks on so on a new set from Camaro Central, which is luckily located about 15 miles away from me (and that also means I'll get to save a buttload of cash on shipping working on this car). Sounds Very Cool, I would like to suggest you keep a running blog here with pictures so we can all lust after this baby being brought back to a high standard of BAD! Speaking of that... we have a new blog feature here that would be a great way to do that.

I'm actually thinking it will be a Toyota-Tesla tie up.

When I was just out of high school... all I wanted was a 1997 Eagle Talon TSi AWD

dude needs to learn how to drive.

Honda and Driver likes the new Accord above the others? YOU DON'T SAY!!!?!? For me it would be 1. Passat (any engine other than the 2.5) 2. Fusion 3. Accord 4. Altima If it has to be the Passat 2.5, then: 1. Fusion 2. Accord 3. Passat 4. Altima

The Eclipse gained so much weight after the 2nd gen. They thought that people wanted a V6 instead of a Turbo-4... and while that may have been true those people didn't want a sacrifice in handling performance and acceleration due to weight gain.

No, just not ready yet. It's not an app you can download. 8-speed for FWD is ready though?

I didn't make that bet...

Notice this: They blame the decline on the ending of the Eclipse, Galant, and Endeavor, but so far, no plans to bring them back. The Eclipse and Galant made Mitsubishi back in the day..... Suzuki actually has a more compelling lineup in the US right now than Mitsu... at least they have a mid-size in the Kazashi that by all accounts is a really decent entry in the market.

What else is there for BMW do sell? Why not fix some of the lackluster products they've left behind? The Z4 has gotten big, heavy (heavier than a Buick Verano), and ugly. Why can't we get a nice little Z3 roadster again?

the level of changes.

Insufficient.

Sure they are... I'm betting at least one of these brands will survive.

The problem with that idea is that the platforms aren't set up for that type of drive.

those wheels the wrong offset?

45th anniversary camaro ornament on Ebay

Wait.. they call the 2.8 an Ecotec over there?