Ford Transit Van Gets A 21st Century Makeover

Next year, in 2015, the Ford Transit will turn 50 years old.

And in recognition of this milestone, the Ford Transit van is being given a radical premium overhaul, known as the Transit Skyliner Concept.

Described as a ‘private jet on wheels’, the Transit Skyliner van boasts four different modes:

• Theatre Mode - four reclining seats facing a 52-inch retractable projection screen
• Business Mode - for face-to-face conversation
• Reception Mode -allows the sliding door to be opened right up to 4feet wide
• Travel Mode - allows passengers to adjust seats and footrests

On the outside, the Transit Skyliner boasts a custom silver metallic paint scheme, contrasting lower trim, chrome highlights and also custom Forgiato wheels.

And all of this is powered by a 3.7-liter V-6, a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, and a 3.2-liter I-5 turbodiesel engine. All the engines will be mated to a six-speed automatic that sends power to the rear wheels.

This revamp of the 1965 classic Ford Transit design is costing Ford $1.1 billion, and has enabled the automotive company to create 2,000 additional jobs. This is 75&percent; of the company’s goal to add “12,000 hourly jobs in the US by 2015”.

Ford says that the Transit Skyliner offers as much as 75 percent more cargo volume than the largest E-Series in some configurations.