Ford is using the alternative-fuel announcement to generate a little extra buzz for its final Transit announcement, too, packaging the propane/natural-gas powertrain in a TC taxi at the Chicago show. Taxi fleets have long used propane and natural gas as fuel, although Ford will also be offering conventional, gasoline-fired Transit taxis, too.
A nice compromise between the dying Crown Vic and the horrendous Standard Taxi, the Transit Connect taxi strikes a balance between aesthetics and function. Its sliding doors will no doubt be a boon to passengers, and the rear seat slides aft three inches for improved legroom. Additionally, it positions Ford—along with the Escape hybrid, which is already a popular choice for taxi companies—to maintain its dominance of U.S. taxi fleets once that car of nine lives, the Crown Vic, finally and truly disappears. As with the others, the TC taxi will also go on sale later this year as a 2011 model.
Thanks to: Car and Driver