New engine on 2014 Sprinters?

I am expecting the Transits by about this time next year, realistically. This is a major production line retool, (as opposed to Dodge pretty much using the same plans and tooling they use for the Ducatos that are sold in Mexico.)

As for the Transit, I do agree on that (unibody vans), but I don't think Ford will yank authorized dealer status if a company starts offering a 4x4 upfit, as M-B will do if someone does that with a Sprinter.

I still wonder what Ford is going to do with the EB V6. If I take the EB from the F-150, and compare it, horsepower-wise, it is pretty near the V-10's output. However, it does need a bump in torque to be in the same ballgame.

These next two years are going to be a very interesting year for the RV industry, because every single motorhome maker that uses the Sprinters and E350/E450 chassis models is going to have to go back to the drawing board and start retooling for the 2014 Sprinter and the Transit. It will be a pain, but the result will be more fuel-friendly motorhomes. This is the biggest change the industry has seen since slide-outs became the rage in the early 1990s.

BoboJay5 wrote:
Milts, the Ford is going to be a unibody design like the Sprinter and the Promaster, so I doubt they'll be much more if any freedom to the upfitters than the current Sprinter is

No you can get Cab Chassis set ups for the Transit.. Do not know about the US though.

Jiraii wrote:
Take it from someone who has the I5, which is similar in power to the new I4. Buy the V6!!!!

Agreed. The 2.1 Litre engine for that size Van is too small.
Sprinters in Europe who have the normal 3 Litre engine do this.

Take it from someone who has the I5, which is similar in power to the new I4. Buy the V6!!!!!

I love my Sprinter, but would like it way better with more power.

mlts22 wrote:
Of all the vans, I'm interested what the Transit will bring us.

The biggest thing is that M-B lays down the law of what an upfitter can and cannot do, and it is pretty strict (such as no 4WD conversions).

I assume Ford will give more freedom (assuming one doesn't cut a support strut or hack-job the CANBUS run), so things like outside storage compartments which were common on the old Chevy Express vans might make a return. Ford also has bet the house on their turbocharging technology, so it makes me curious how the performance and MPG statistics on the EB and the turbocharged I-5 diesel will be.

Milts, the Ford is going to be a unibody design like the Sprinter and the Promaster, so I doubt they'll be much more if any freedom to the upfitters than the current Sprinter is.
Here in KC they are now saying next spring at the earliest before the Transit starts production. Lots of supplier delays and plant upgrade problems

The sleeper in all this speculation may be the Ecoboost 3.5 direct injection gas engine from Ford, if they decide to put it in a the Transit. Over 400 ft-lbs of torque and very good efficiency, plus a turbo to handle altitude. Time will tell.

Of all the vans, I'm interested what the Transit will bring us.

The biggest thing is that M-B lays down the law of what an upfitter can and cannot do, and it is pretty strict (such as no 4WD conversions).

I assume Ford will give more freedom (assuming one doesn't cut a support strut or hack-job the CANBUS run), so things like outside storage compartments which were common on the old Chevy Express vans might make a return. Ford also has bet the house on their turbocharging technology, so it makes me curious how the performance and MPG statistics on the EB and the turbocharged I-5 diesel will be.

If I were to buy another B, I've already dismissed the idea of the Ram ProMaster. We'll wait and see what the Ford Transit brings to see if it offers any unique design advantages. Having had two Sprinters, I see it as penny wise, pound foolish settling for a ProMaster.