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In the last few days we've seen a battery-powered Ford Transit Connect from Smith Electric and a hybrid version from Connaught Engineering. But do white bonnet stripes belong on a delivery van? Ford certainly thinks so (again), and is debuting the Transit Connect Sportvan today at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham in the UK. The latest version of the long-running Transit van will go on sale in September with a 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi 110 PS engine that delivers 250 Nm of torque. The exhaust has an optional c-DPF (coated Diesel Particulate Filter) that is compliant with Euro Stage IV regulations and, under normal driving situations, is maintenance-free. Exterior sportiness is generated by the colored bumpers, bright chrome grille and a roof spoiler, among other enhancements fully described by Ford's crack PR team after the jump.

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When Ford unveiled the U.S. versions of the Transit Connect in Chicago earlier this year, one of the potential uses the company highlighted was as a restaurant delivery van. The small vans won't be available for sale in the U.S. until mid-2009, but one will soon be in use at Bugatti's Ristorante in Dallas, especially in owner Zee's catering business. Why this restaurant was chosen isn't exactly clear, but - following the New York Auto Show's taxi version of the Transit Connect - Ford is pushing hard to get the message across that these are work vehicles for the fuel-conscious city set. Zee's tasted the Kool-Aid, saying in a statement (available after the jump) that, "Not only will the Transit Connect help with our bottom line thanks to its fuel economy, but it will save time as we won't need to refuel as often between deliveries." The proof will be in the (delivered) pudding, come next year.

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The flashiness of the Ford Transit Connect's debut from Chicago is long gone. Here in New York, Ford is expanding the idea of what these spacious vehicles can do with a Transit Connect Taxi concept, which we learned about yesterday. We went to check this version of the Transit Connect out for ourselves and liked the wide open feeling one gets from the clear roof. Cruising down Broadway in one of these certainly seems like an entirely enjoyable ride (at 40 cents a 1/5 mile) and with 90 percent fewer emissions than most of the cabs that drive the Manhattan roads. While 19 mpg may not seem great for people who drive hybrid sedans, it's better than the 14-15 mpg Crown Vic cabs. Speaking of hybrids, we'll suggest once again that a gas-electric system in one of these should be a no-brainer.

For more, including the official announcement from Ford, click here.

After announcing a few feature updates in the Ford F150 at the Chicago Auto Show today, Ford unveiled the U.S. version of the Ford Transit Connect. This Euro-style van fits into a greener delivery niche, and Ford certainly made these vans look appealing, with four vans dancing around the stage, each decked out for a different use: musicians, caterers and the like. The Transit Connect gets good mileage for a delivery van (19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway). The designers found a way to pack 143 cubic feet of cargo space into a van that can fit into garages with 6 ft. 8 in. clearance. It won't be available on these shores until the middle of next year, but I imagine these will be pretty solid sellers when they get here.

We've have a video of the reveal soon.

Ford is launching a renewed version of its legendary Ford Transit van (a name that been around for more than 40 years) that now includes Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) as an additional option for the smaller engines. In countries like the Netherlands or Germany, the government subsidizes the installation via retrofit or on the final prize. The new van also has standard ESP and a new 6-speed gearbox.

Engine choices range depending on payload. Because of European driver's licenses, a van like this can be driven up to a maximum weight of 3.5 tons (metric) by any driver. For higher payloads, a special trucker's license is required. Therefore the Transit can be found in a complete array of configurations, from fully enclosed panel vans, to people carriers, as well as stand-alone chassis for motorhomes or refrigerated trucks.

Engine choices are all TDCis: 2.2-liter (85 HP), a 2.4-liter (100 HP), an improved 2.2-liter that powers the SportVan (a sportier-looking van, good for 140 HP) and a 5-cylinder 3.2 liter (240 HP) for models over 3.5 tons. A 4WD version has also been announced. Prices for the SportVan are about 40,000 EUR in France.

[Source: Ford of France]