Ford to Offer Diesel in Transit Van

Ford announces the new Transit fullsize commercial van, which goes on sale next year, will be offered with a 3.2L Powerstroke 5-cyl. turbodiesel engine.

The new diesel currently is offered in the global Ranger pickup sold overseas. The oil-burner will be the only 5-cyl. diesel available in a commercial van in North America, Ford says.

“Commercial van drivers spend most of their working hours behind the wheel,” Joe Bakaj, vice president-powertrain engineering, says in a statement. “We know they want a fuel-efficient diesel with smooth, responsive performance and low operating costs.”

Ford has yet to release specifications for the new mill, but says in Europe the diesel produces 197 hp and 347 lb.-ft. (470 Nm) of torque.

The engine’s fuel system has been calibrated for combustion efficiency, enabling it to achieve greater fuel efficiency without sacrificing power, the auto maker says.

It also features state-of-the-art piezoelectric fuel injectors fed through a high-pressure common-rail fuel system and advanced emissions technologies that meet U.S. clean-diesel standards.

Precise injection timing and calibration allow for a smooth combustion process to reduce clatter. Each injector nozzle has eight spray holes and can deliver up to five injections per combustion cycle. A pilot injection controls noise levels and a main injection is used for power generation.

Additionally, the engine features cast-aluminum, low-friction coated pistons with piston-cooling jets, which squire oil on the underside of the pistons to keep the piston crowns cool under extreme operating conditions.

The diesel also has a water-cooled, high-performance, electric-controlled exhaust-gas recirculation valve that is able to withstand coolant pressure drops.

The 3.2L Power Stroke diesel is one of several engines that will be available in the Transit, including the 3.5L direct-injected turbocharged EcoBoost gas engine. All engines will be mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The diesel is produced at Ford’s Struandale engine plant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and the Transit will be assembled at the auto maker’s Kansas City, MO, facility.