The Ford Transit Connect has long been Ford’s full-size van. It offers a lot of space for passengers, and overall, it’s just a vehicle that focuses on practicality. But, if you’re familiar with car enthusiasts, you know that sometimes we do things that don’t make sense. And that’s exactly what someone has done to a 2014 Transit Connect by giving it the powertrain of a Ford Focus ST.
Meet the Ford Transit ST
No, Ford never made a Transit ST van, but that didn’t stop one person from making it themselves. That’s how it is; someone dropped the powertrain of a Ford Focus ST on the body of a Transit Connect van. And the results are interesting, to say the least. In stock, the Focus ST’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine makes 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.
That level of power is already more than a standard Transit Connect produces. And in true enthusiast fashion, the engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. So, essentially, the Transit ST is probably what this vehicle would have looked like if the powerhouses at Ford decided to go completely nuts with their station wagon.
Now, as you can imagine, putting a Focus ST powertrain in a van isn’t going to be a great driving experience. The owner was sure to add modifications that make the Transit ST drive like a performance vehicle. According to jalopnikmodifications include:
- Cobb Stage 2 Tune
- SPEC Clutch Stage 3 Clutch Kit
- mishimoto radiator
- MFactory Limited Slip Differential
- Eibach lowering spring kit
These modifications help the Transit ST handle its new power. In addition, they make the driving experience much better. Heck, even the interior has been tweaked to look like a Focus ST. And we are here for it.
This special 2014 Ford Transit Connect was sold on Doug Demuro’s auction site, cars and offers, for $28,555. And it really is the ultimate sleeper van.
Will Ford discontinue the Transit Connect?
Unfortunately, Ford has plans to discontinue the Transit Connect in the US by the end of 2023. According to Reuters, there were initially plans to build a new model, but these were ultimately scrapped.
It is still possible to buy a regular Ford Transit brand. In fact, Blue Oval has upgraded their van by offering Transit Trail, which focuses on things like #VanLife. The lack of sales in the United States likely led to the decision to divest Transit Connect.
Even though the Transit Connect is on its way out, it’s great that someone decided to put a Focus ST powertrain in one. The Focus was already a practical vehicle, which is part of the selling point of a compact car. But Transit Connect ST takes that to a whole new level.
It also shows that where there is a will, there is a way. If you have the budget, time, and resources to take on a project car, you really can build something crazy. The world needs more of this high-performance truck.