Ford's designers are taking the brand's newly introduced Transit Connect van in another, more personal, direction that's slightly askew from its original commercial-only focus. Meet the Transit Connect Family One Concept. It's Ford's latest family friendly van that's pegged at helping out parents by engaging the kids while trekking on long roadtrips or during stints at the rest stop.
As a main attraction, young whippersnappers have ample room to stretch their legs in the Transit Connect's capacious interior. As it was originally designed primarily for cargo carrying, the van sports a roomy 135 cu.ft. of space -- more than enough to seat the kids and stow their stuff. In Family One form, there are two rows of seats behind the front passengers and storage below the rear floorboards for extra capacity. Hidden there are a folding stroller and other compartments.While hanging out at a rest stop, kids can enjoy their folding scooters that are attached to the rear swing doors or play under an available attached overhead awning. When they arrive back to their seats, there's an integrated hand sanitizer to clean them up. Also incorporated into the Family One Concept's design are a first-aid kit, sunscreen dispenser and family walkie-talkies. Designers also installed radio frequency identification technology (RFID) to keep tabs on otherwise easily losable equipment, instruments, gear, etc. Cool, tech-hip parents sitting up front can keep everything organized via the van's in-dash computer system. Just as in the regular commercial model, powering the front wheels is an efficient 2.0L four-cylinder capable of achieving a Ford claimed 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Of course, should some sort of production model get the green light, the smaller four-banger could be replaced by many of Ford's Ecoboosts.