As soon as Ford announced its 2014 Transit would be offered with a 3.2-liter Power Stroke five-cylinder turbodiesel engine - when it goes on sale in the US next year.

Currently sold overseas in the global Ford Ranger, the company announced today, extending the fuel efficiency benefits of clean-diesel powertrains into its upcoming commercial van.

Although the turbodiesel will be new to the US market, but Ford confirmed that the 3.2-liter I5 Power Stroke will mark the return of a diesel engine to its full-size van that offers 197 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque.

"The Power Stroke name is synonymous with power, work and long-term durability," said Bakaj. "We're confident our commercial van customers will be extremely pleased with the 3.2-liter's fuel economy, performance and running costs."

When it goes on sale next year as a 2014 model, the Ford Transit will also be offered with an optional 3.5-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine while the 3.2-liter diesel will be exclusively available with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2014 Ford Transit will be manufactured at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri.

[alert style="green"] 2014 Ford Transit photos [/alert]

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Ford has introduced the 2013 Transit Connect Wagon, which will be the first seven-seater "people mover" expected get more than 30 mpg on the highway and rated to haul 1,200 pounds of payload.

Beating its traditional minivan rivals on both efficiency and space, they hope to lure buyers who want an affordable vehicle that can efficiently transport people like a minivan.

The 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon will be offered with a choice of three trim levels (XL, XLT, Titanium) and two wheelbase lengths. The car can also tow up to 2,000 pounds and the interior offers more than 100 cubic feet of cargo space.

"It's anything but a minivan," said David Mondragon, Ford's general manager of marketing. "In our mind, it's a people mover. We think of it as more of a utility, or kind of a hybrid sport utility, than a minivan."

The customers will be able to choose from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (168 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque) and an optional 1.6-liter EcoBoost (produces 173 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque) with both of them being connected to a 6-speed automatic.

The 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon on display at the unveiling, one sported a bright red color and the other a lime green tint. Some features that will be available a full-glass panoramic roof, Sync with MyFord Touch, rear view camera, a 6.5-inch touch screen and an electric windshield defroster.

Ford will unveil the wagon to the public at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, and begin shipments from the factory in Valencia, Spain, late next year.

[alert style="green"] 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon photos [/alert]

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