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2008 Ford Transit Connect Taxi Concept

It was only fitting that Ford introduce its taxi-themed concept in the heart of New

Mark Fields poses with the new Transit Connect Taxi concept in New York. (Photo: Ford)

York City, given that the yellow and black taxis are such an integral part of the Manhattan scene. But the yellow cab isn't just important to the city, it's also an integral part of Ford's fleet business, seeing as the blue oval sells more taxis in the US than any other brand. So, Ford's design team has conceptualized what it believes to be the future of the taxi cab using its Transit Connect compact commercial vehicle as a base.

Ford's Transit Connect is ramping up to be the biggest thing to hit the commercial vehicles market since Dodge launched the Mercedes-Benz-designed Sprinter. This European-designed and built mini-sized commercial van will be priced under the bigger Dodge, but thanks to its smaller size and smaller, less complex powertrain it will also be able to significantly undercut the Sprinter in price. Though the Transit Connect is the ideal delivery van for small businesses or contractors, Ford's been thinking outside the box - what about turning it into a taxi?

Sliding doors and high-mounted seats make getting in and out easier than your average cab. (Photo: Ford)

Ford's director of design, Peter Horbury, likens the Transit Connect to the progress of the modern city; rather than expanding outwards, buildings now expand up. Therefore, in order to maximize road real estate, cars need to expand upwards too.

What's admirable about this particular Transit Connect isn't so much the design - the Connect has been on sale for over four years now in Europe - but rather it's what Ford has done to the cabin to make it the ideal taxicab. Structurally and aesthetically, very little has been changed on the outside. The typical bright yellow paint is contrasted by matte gray paint and matte-finish fender flares and bumpers, which are in place to ward off the kinds of bumps and scrapes that taxis are particularly good at attracting. The idea is practical, and in practice would work just fine, but the unfortunate downside is that the Connect Taxi happens to look like a car prepped for a crash test. In order to make it look more appealing Ford has fitted a plexiglas skylight, and in place of the usual taxi sign

New skylight and clear divider makes the cabin spacious and airy. (Photo: Ford)

found on the roof the Connect features a raised box that changes its illumination color depending on its fare. Green lights mean that the cab is empty and ready to be hailed down, whereas an occupied cab's lights are red.

Vans have their pros and cons as taxi cabs, although the Connect capitalizes on the ups and minimizes the downs. Its high seating position and sliding doors make getting in and out easy; one steps in, rather than sits down, and with the high roof design the likelihood of hitting one's head against the frames is minimal. Sliding doors also do not extend out into traffic, making road-side pick-ups and drop-offs easy. Vans also allow wheelchair pick-up if so equipped. One of the cons about vans, their open design, is that it can be hard to protect the driver against unruly passengers. Ford has solved this by putting up a two-in-one system, a plexiglas barrier that also features an infotainment system and digital map built right in.

The 13-inch screen features a display that shows a digital map of the vicinity the taxi is traveling in, and can list points of interest such as shops, museums and restaurants. If those in the back would rather listen to some tunes or catch up on the latest headlines, streaming music, TV and news headlines can be brought up on the screen in real time thanks to a streaming broadband internet connection. The system works in conjunction with Ford's Work Solutions system, which provides the Transit Connect with a wireless broadband hookup that is linked through the Sprint mobile high-speed network. The Work Solutions navigation unit also features Garmin technology, which updates weather and traffic info, allowing drivers to select the best route to any destination. In addition, the Work Solutions system features dispatch capabilities which automatically connect the driver to the cab company's call center, improving efficiency. While it sounds like the Work Solutions system is a concept-like feature, it is actually available

Choose what you watch, and choose how you pay. This is the coolest part about the Transit Connect Taxi. (Photo: Ford)

for purchase in most Ford commercial vehicles already, including the Econoline, F-Series trucks and the new Transit connect.

With its wipe-down rubber floor and simple door panels with exposed metal, the Transit Connect's cabin would be easy to keep clean. Big grab handles make getting in and out safe and convenient, and behind the three-person bench seat is a whopping 75 cubic feet worth of cargo space, which should be handy for anyone who's been on a shopping spree, or is planning on heading to the airport for vacation.

The fare can be paid two ways: first, by a rotating “sputnik” for cash and change, and second by a digital card reader which uses credit and debit cards. The info, plus a digital keypad, is displayed on-screen, allowing customers to punch in their tip right from their seat.

While an innovative way to get around NYC or any other city, the Transit Connect Taxi does not feature a groundbreaking powerplant. It isn't hydrogen powered and doesn't feature a diesel. Instead,

Much of this technology is powered by Ford's Work Solutions. (Photo: Ford)

the little van is powered by a small gasoline-powered 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Given the sort of urban grind that taxis are subject to, Ford didn't feel the need to upgrade the power, and by sticking with the small four, the Transit Connect has a city fuel economy rating of 19 mpg, a figure that Ford says is some 30-percent better than the average cab currently out on the streets. In addition, the small size of the Connect, plus the higher seating position, will make it easier to maneuver around town. It is, however, doubtful that the manual transmission that the concept car is equipped with would fare well with cabbies or their riders. A smoother shifting automatic would better suit the job.

In any case, Ford's Transit Connect Taxi concept is not only down to earth, but it makes a whole lot of sense. Whether or not Ford will package everything together and offer it for sale as a turnkey taxi cab is anyone's guess, but we'd be surprised if the taxi cab industry as a whole doesn't embrace the Transit Connect.

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