Ford of Europe has officially unveiled the production version of the Tourneo Custom Concept that made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. The Tourneo won’t be coming to the United States, but according to Ford, it’s part of the automaker’s plan to refresh its entire commercial vehicle lineup by 2014. The production model will officially debut at the Birmingham Commercial Vehicle Show in April.
This front-wheel-drive van is available in both short- and long-wheelbase versions (measuring in at 195.7 and 210.2 inches in overall length, respectively), and can be had in either eight- or nine-passenger configuration. Ford also touts the Tourneo’s car-like interior with its “stylish, sculpted driver-focused instrument panel,” as well as onboard tech like SYNC, a rear-view camera, lane-keeping assist and driver alert.
Under the hood is an updated version of Ford’s 2.2-liter Duratorq inline-four, offered in 99-, 123- and 153-horsepower variants, all of which are paired exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission. There’s also auto start/stop on board, meaning the Tourneo can deliver a combined fuel economy rating of 6.9 liters per 100 kilometers – about 34 miles per gallon on the U.S. cycle. Read More »
According to a report from Reuters, Ford has been sued for allegedly selling F-Series pickup trucks and E-Series vans with defective fuel tank linings. The suit alleges that Ford knew about the problem and continued to sell affected vehicles over a 10-year period.
According to the complaint, the fuel tank lining of Ford’s full-size trucks and vans built between 1999 and 2008 can “separate and flake off,” clogging the fuel system and causing the truck to stumble or stall. Further, Ford is said to have issued a “secret” technical service bulletin to dealers about the problem, but never issued a recall or offering to fix customer vehicles for free. Read More »
Though the Ford Transit Connect may be a niche player in the North American market, the small van market is big business in Europe. According to Mercedes-Benz, it accounts for some 700,000 units annually, and that’s a pie of which Daimler wouldn’t mind getting a bigger slice. And so it has announced its new Citan.
Taking its name from a combination of City and Titan, the Citan will slot in below the Vario, Sprinter and Vito in order to meet the needs of workers who need to get around crowded city streets and take their gear with them. Mercedes plans to offer it in a broad range of configurations, lengths and engine options once it hits the market in the fall.
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For 2012, the funky little Nissan Note is getting some upgrading for its top two trims, the oddly named Acenta and N-TEC+, while the Note lineup itself is getting some downsizing. Outside, the Acenta sits on 16-inch wheels now and gets “chrome-effect” caps on the side-view mirrors and around the front fog lights. Inside, items like climate control and automatic headlights are standard, as is a blue cross-stitching on the seats for “a more premium feel.”
Above that, in the UK, the new N-TEC+ trim is now the top-of-the-line model, as the former top-tier Tekna is going away. The N-TEC+ gets rear parking sensors, privacy glass and Nissan’s “Connect” touch-screen satellite navigation.
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If you’re looking to turn your Mercedes-Benz Vito into an executive-class van, Vilner has what you need. The company used its expertise on the German minivan to craft an interior inspired by private jets. With Nappa leather seating, an Alcantara headliner and mahogany details spread throughout the cabin, the Vilner Vito is suitably deluxe. Additional power outlets make it perfect for long-distance chauffeured travel, while a 19-inch LCD display and stocked mini fridge help keep passengers entertained..
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Nissan is recalling just over 14,700 vehicles from the 2011 and 2012 model years over faulty bolts in the engine. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in these vehicles may have been manufactured to below specification strength.”
Affected Nissan vehicles include the 2011-12 Pathfinder, 2011-12 Xterra, 2012 NV and 2012 Frontier. Additionally, the 2011 Infiniti FX and 2012 Infiniti M are being recalled for this issue.
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According to Automotive News, the Chrysler Group will kill off one of its bread-and-butter minivans – the Dodge Grand Caravan – sometime during the 2013 calendar year. This will leave only the Chrysler Town & Country to do minivan battle for the Pentastar automaker. Curiously, through September of 2011, the Grand Caravan has actually outsold the more expensive Town & Country by almost 14,000 units.
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