Episode 965 – Ford Reveals New Transit Vans, Kia Quoris Unveiled, Mazda6 Wagon Revealed
September 6th, 2012 at 11:45am
Runtime: 8:13
Ford revealed a brand-new lineup of commercial vehicles that will be sold in markets around the world. Kia unveiled its new flagship sedan called the Quoris which will be sold outside of South Korea for the first time. Mazda took the wraps off the wagon version of the Mazda6 before it debuts at the Paris Motor Show. All that and more, plus a look at the design highlights of the 2013 RAM 1500.
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This is Autoline Daily for Thursday the 6th of September, 2012. John’s out of the office this morning so you’re shackled to me for the duration of the show. Don’t worry though, there’s a lot of interesting news to ease your McElroy withdrawal, plus in the second half we’ll take you on a design tour of the 2013 RAM pickup, so make sure you stick around for that.
FORD REVEALS NEXT-GEN TRANSIT VANS
Anyway, today’s top story comes from Ford. The Dearborn-based automaker has revealed a brand-new lineup of commercial vehicles that will be sold in markets around the world. The latest generation Transit and Transit Connect vans are new from the ground up. The medium-duty Transit will replace the venerable E-Series in North America. It will be powered by a familiar 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 or – and here’s some exciting news – an optional diesel. Fuel efficiency will top the Econoline by at least 25 percent! Several wheelbases and roof heights will be offered. Interestingly, they’ll be built in Kansas City. For lighter-duty work the compact Transit Connect has also been redesigned. It will feature a versatile cargo area, advanced driver-assistance systems and two different wheelbases. The powertrains have also been extensively overhauled. Among other sweeping changes it gets a desperately needed six-speed automatic transmission.
FORD TO EXPORT FROM INDIA TO EUROPE
In related news, Ford announced it will ship engines built in India to Europe. According to Reuters, the company is looking at making use of its production capacity in the country. Ford has invested $2 billion in India but so far it has not been able to make a big dent in the market. By 2015 Ford will have the capacity to build up to 600,000 engines in India. In addition to Europe, the company will export engines to Thailand.
KIA UNVEILS NEW FLAGSHIP
Have you ever heard of the Kia Quoris? Neither had I. It’s the brand’s flagship model and apparently it’s only been sold in South Korea, until now. The company will offer this luxury sedan in other markets, but it doesn’t say which ones. Based on the pictures things are pretty upscale inside with lots of leather and a huge back seat. Instead of traditional analogue gauges the car features a 12.3-inch customizable LCD screen. Drivers also benefit from a color heads-up display that can show all kinds of information. On the exterior wild-looking adaptive headlamps make a bold design statement.
MAZDA6 WAGON REVEALED
Last week the brand-new Mazda6 sedan was revealed. Now the company is showing off the wagon version before it officially debuts at the Paris Motor Show. Like the sedan, the wagon features the company’s KODO design theme, which means “soul of motion.” Powertrain options for the European market include a 2.2-liter SKYACTIV diesel engine as well as 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter SKYACTIV gasoline engines with direct injection. The Mazda6 goes on sale in Europe at the end of the year.
Coming up next, as promised at the top of the show, a design tour of the 2013 RAM pickup.
2013 RAM 1500 DESIGN
(Today’s look at the design of the 2013 Ram 1500 is only available in the video version of the show.)
That updated RAM sure brings a lot to the table, from air suspension to an eight-speed transmission. The full-size pickup segment is more competitive than it has ever been. It will be interesting to see how GM plays its hand when the next-generation Silverado and Sierra hit the market.
Before I sign off I’ve got to remind you to watch tonight’s episode of Autoline After Hours. John McElroy and his extreme co-host, Peter De Lorenzo will be joined by frequent Autoline contributor Isaac Bouchard. Steve Finlay from WardsAuto will also join the fray, plus there may be a surprise panelist. Naturally the only way to find out is to tune in. The show kicks off at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on our website, Autoline.tv.
That’s it for today’s show but thanks for your time and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow.
Thanks to our Partners for embedding Autoline Daily on their websites: Autoblog and WardsAuto.com
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Comments (22)
September 6th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
So, when is GM going to wake up and start giving us some new trucks and vans? Ford is stealing the show, with Chrysler not far behind.
September 6th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
I hope Dodge paid you guys for airing that 3 minute commercial for the new Ram, otherwise it is highway robbery!
September 6th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Willthe Mazda 6 wagon be sold in the U.S.? I suppose not, but I haven’t heard anything yet.
September 6th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
The transit diesel….what market WON’T get it?
September 6th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Doubt it, Americans lost their love for wagons thanks to the minivan and now the CUV’s
September 6th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
#3 I guess we will!
September 6th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
There are many small companies that still use full size American vans,fedex for one,at least around here.The diesel option would sell like crazy if someone (oem) had the plums to bring it here.
September 6th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
I love the design review segments when they provide the design details that were done in this segment. Very cool. I love the line about the new bumper being a “heroic piece of metal” because of its size!
September 6th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
#3,
Probably all markets will get it, except the U.S.
September 6th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
#8,
Sorry, I was referring to the Transit Connect, not the big one. The article seems to indicate that we will get a diesel in the big Transit.
September 6th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
What Mr. Dehner forgot to mention is that the Ram group is going to continue to make gaudy, oversized emblems for their trucks. In case the Dodge boys haven’t realized it, and judging by the new Ram they haven’t, by now most people–those who matter anyway–can recognize a Ram truck by design alone. After all, the styling hasn’t changed much in quite some time. But then again, it might just be the marketing group on a lean budget using creative (i.e., cheap) advertising.
September 6th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
It is funny how important styling has become in the pick-up truck segment. In the 1970′s-80′s there were only 2-3 differences in any manufacturers truck trim levels. Now they all offer 4-5, plus special editions. Appears to be plenty of room for a small diesel under the hood of a Ram express, how about it Mr. Gilles?
The Transit and Transit connect look very good, very modern. Where’s Dodge/Ram in this segment?
Is the Kia Quoris a discounted version of the Equus?
Given the world of hurt that Mazda U.S. sales is in, Mazda should offer the wagon here.
September 6th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
It will be interesting what Chevy/GMC debut with their new trucks (coming shortly); the new direct injection V-8, something new with the V-6′s?, and/or maybe a diesel in the 1/2 ton model. It should be interesting (truck-wise) in the next year or two from all manufacturers, and why shouldn’t it be; still a major segment (and gasoline prices, at least holding its own). All the trucks are pretty much very good (between each other) so there’s no major penalty from picking any of them; styling and loyalty will reign supreme.
September 6th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
#11,
Some people (not me) like big emblems. They put huge emblems in the grill of Benz C-Classes. To me, they look tacky, but the marketers must think people want them.
September 6th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
funny how “iconic cross hair” = “dodge cross” When the Dodges and Rams start their next gen refreshes, who gets to lay claim to the symbolic iconography? …not that “Dodge Cross” has any significance with anyone (IMHO) .. or does the two stripe badging Dodge is starting to use answermy question?
September 6th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
#14 Kit, big emblems are nothing new, the old VW buses had humongous VW emblems up front. but that was it, can’t think of any other brand that did it!
September 6th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
The Dodge cross seems as patentable as Apple’s claim to own rectangles with rounded corners. I’m not a patent attorney, though.
September 6th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Trademark logo emblems aren’t as bad, since they’re more symbolic. The emblems I’m referring to on the Ram are the huge name badges, such as the exaggerated “RAM BIG HORN” or “RAM 2500″, things like that. Dodge slaps it on their like they were trying to advertise. Why not just put a full length vinyl signs on the trucks? But to your point, Kit, too few buyers, if any, have complained to Dodge about them. As for me, I wouldn’t drive one off the lot until the dealer took them off; they would work better as paper weights!
September 6th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Yeah, I guess the people who buy them don’t mind, and people who want more “subdued” looking pickups buy Chevys. I suppose Dodge does market research and finds that people who buy Rams want big badges, or at least don’t mind them.
September 7th, 2012 at 11:00 am
More information on the new GM Trucks…
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/24/2014-chevy-silverado-redesign-caught-with-new-interior-exposed/
September 7th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
First of all….ANYBODY but Craig !!! Second,Transit Connect’s new styling looks like it was copied from Mazda. And a diesel version would be a great addition to the powertrains. Also European model come with a 6 speed stick. Why not one for the U.S. versions?
September 8th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
The larger vans will have a tough time competing against Freightliner/Damler.They already have a power house rolling[heavy duty&diesel].I like Ford,BUT they are late trying to pull off this van swap.They needed to do something because the large Es extended were killing too many folks.