The Ford Transit Connect van is powered by a 2.0-liter, 138-horsepower Duratec four-cylinder with a standard four-speed automatic and front wheel. The Transit Connect has an EPA rated 22 city and 25 highway mpg.

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Aimed at small business owners, the Transit Connect essentially creates a new niche in the commercial market in North America.

The Transit Connect will be available in four flavors: Van (for cargo hauling) and Wagon (with side windows and bench seats for passenger hauling) in either base XL or more upmarket XLT trim.

The XLT trim level will add a CD player, optional reverse sensing, power windows and locks and body-colored bumpers.

The Wagon will come with standard stability control (optional on both models of the Van) in addition to the bench seats and side windows.

Optional on all trim levels will be various elements of Ford's Work Solutions system, which helps commercial users run their business by creating invoices, work orders, and track tools. Ford's exclusive Tool Link system which tags tools with RFID tags to insure no tool is left behind at a job site. Transit Connect also has optional Crew Chief, a program to track vehicle location and maintenance needs.

Two sliding side doors, vertical 180--degree--opening cargo doors, a low floor and a high ceiling differentiate the Transit Connect from its rivals. The XLT model will be available with a 270 degree hinge. Ford claims the vehicles offer 155 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. The load space can accommodate items up to 6.5 feet long and five feet wide.

Ford dealerships also have three different industry leaders in cargo management available to help create custom cargo management systems for each Transit Connect.