2010 Ford Lineup 20% More Efficient; Turbo Four-Cylinder Confirmed

Today, Ford took the wraps off its 2010 model lineup and made some pretty significant announcements, despite most models not seeing major changes. The biggest news that will grab headlines is the fact that the 2010 Ford lineup is 20% more fuel-efficient than the 2009 lineup. And this is without dropping any large vehicles from the lineup.

Significant chunks of that mileage improvement come from the Ford Fusion family of cars, including the 2010 Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ. The base Fusion and Milan, for example, see their combined mileage increase from 23 mpg to 25 mpg. Even a base 2010 Mustang now gets 21 mpg combined, compared with 20 mpg in 2009. The V-8s also add 1 mpg. The Edge crossover also adds 1 mpg in combined mileage. Even the 2010 F-150’s V-8 adds 1 more mpg to its highway or city rating, depending on transmission.

Big news on the new-product side of things is confirmation from Ford of a new turbo four-cylinder engine.  

First Drive: 2010 Ford Transit Connect

The last time a peculiar, box-shaped car from overseas was sprung on the U.S. market, it was a surprise hit. Don't let the boxy styling and relatively minuscule four-cylinder fool you, though — this is no Scion xB. The 2010 Ford Transit Connect won't be seen at the high school parking lot with blacked-out headlights, a neon underglow and a coffee-can muffler — unless the vending machines are being restocked by a small-business owner with too much time on his hands. Normally Cars.com wouldn't bother with a model intended for commercial use, but there's a newfound interest in everything the domestic automakers do, and the Transit Connect also happens to be one of the first models Ford will offer as a pure battery-electric next year, so I gladly took one for a spin.

Ford Transit Connect Family One Concept

• Looks like: Nearly identical to the commercial version of this boxy delivery van going on sale this summer
• Defining characteristics: Boxy shape, kid-friendly features
• Ridiculous features: Partition between front and rear seats
• Chance of being mass-produced: Slim, simply because families will want something with better mileage and/or more seating

When Ford said its first European product to hit the States would be the Transit Connect work van, we were not too enthused. We cover cars for the general consumer, not businesses. Therefore, we should be excited about this concept of the same Transit that’s built especially for families. However, despite lots of nifty features like built-in hand sanitizer dispensers, the concept grossly misses the mark.

For one thing, the base Transit going on sale this summer costs $22,475, including a destination charge, and gets 22/25 mpg city/highway. Ford calls this a “green” family vehicle. If you bought a Toyota RAV4 for about the same $22,000, you’d get a four-cylinder that’s good for 22/28 mpg.

Ford says the Transit Connect is for the “coolest mom” and touts its looks. Yes, you read that right, its looks.