A new engine for the Ford Transit Connect is to offer CO2 emissions of 99g/km and fuel economy of 74.3mpg.

The new 1.5-litre diesel engine, first seen in Ford cars, is available in both standard and Econetic editions.

Available in Van and Double-Cab-in-Van bodystyles with L1 and L2 variants and Kombi in L2 only, the Transit Connect offers a load area with total volumes of 2.9m3 and 3.6m3 with a full bulkhead, or 3.7m3 and 4.4m3 including the front loadspace area (L1/L2).

Payloads of up to 1,000kg are available.

Advanced driver assistance technologies are available, including traffic sign recognition and lane keeping aid, as well as being the first Ford commercial vehicle in Europe to feature the voice-activated Sync 2 connectivity system.

“The Transit Connect has proved a real hit with European businesses thanks to its smart looks, great fuel economy and capable load space,” said Phil Hollins, commercial vehicle marketing, sales and service director, Ford of Europe.

“With even lower fuel costs and amazing new technologies, Transit Connect delivers an even stronger proposition to our commercial customers.” 

Ford’s new 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine meets Euro 6 emissions standards and is introduced to the Transit Connect in two phases. An Econetic version producing 100PS and 250Nm of torque – up from 95PS and 230Nm on the outgoing model, is introduced this summer. The Transit Connect Econetic features Auto-Start-Stop and Active Grille Shutter technology as standard.

Additional variants of the 1.5-litre TDCi diesel will complete the Transit Connect line-up of Stage VI engines from spring 2016, when they will replace the existing 1.6-litre TDCi engines that remain available with 75PS, 95PS and 115PS until then.

A  petrol alternative is provided by Ford’s 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine, which will meet Euro 6 emissions standards from the summer.