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Breaking News: New European Transit Van is Close to Upcoming U.S. Version, Ford Says

Ford of Europe today unveiled its refined Transit van and said it closely resembles the full-size product to be built in the U.S. starting late next year. A restyled Transit Connect compact van was also displayed at a press event in Amsterdam, Holland.

The American vans will use the same body structures and styling but will probably have different headlamps and other lighting changes to meet standards here, said Ford spokesman Mike Levine. Their powertrains will also differ, with American vans getting larger engines and automatic rather than manual transmissions.

The smaller Transit Connect, which now comes with a single 4-cylinder gasoline engine, will get an additional but unspecified engine. A new wagon version with windows and additional seating will join the cargo configuration, Levine said.

The full-size Transit, which will eventually replace the long-running and highly popular E-series vans, will be available with Ford's EcoBoost double-turbocharged V-6 gasoline engine and a diesel. Ford has not described the diesel except that it will probably be larger than Euro versions.

Production of full-size Transits will begin in late 2013 at a retooled plant in Kansas City, Mo., said Marc Rogowski, marketing manager for E-series and Transit. Ford is investing almost $1.1 billion to build the Transit here.

E-series vans and wagons will continue in production into 2014 as the new Transit, with several roof heights and body lengths, is phased in. E-series cutaways and stripped chassis will be built through the rest of the decade, Rogowski said.

Levine said Ford will display the Transit and Transit Connect cargo vans at the Detroit auto show this January.

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