The 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel engine will be offered with three power ratings, including the standard 270 HP, 675 lb./ft. of torque version, a 300-HP, 700-lb./ft. model, and a 330-HP, 725-lb./ft. rated powerplant. Ford will also continue to offer the 6.8-liter V10 gasoline engine with 320 HP 460 lb./ft. of torque in F-650 and F-750 models. The 6.8-liter V10 can also be factory-prepped for converting to compressed natural gas or propane autogas.
Utilimaster Corp., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors Inc., chose The Work Truck Show to launch a new walk-in van called the VELOCITY. Scheduled for production in the third quarter of this year, it is built on a Ford Transit cutaway chassis and will be offered in 156- and 178-in. wheelbases with payload capacities of 3,725, 3,600 and 3,200 lbs and cargo capacities of 574, 679 and 784 cu. ft.
Commercial vehicle fleets now have these new choices, as well as many others, to meet their needs for lower total cost of ownership.
The VELOCITY is the first walk-in van developed to support the Ford Transit gas, diesel or CNG/LPG platforms, Utilimaster noted. The design offers a full stand-up interior height, rear swing or roll-up doors for dock loading, a 42-in. wide by 73-in. high sliding curbside door, and low entry and egress steps.
Utilimaster also said that the VELOCITY has a cost of ownership over seven years that is nearly half the cost of a traditional walk-in van. In particular, its acquisition cost is 15% lower and fleets can anticipate a $3,000 fuel savings per vehicle at 20,000 miles per year.
The VELOCITY is powered by a standard Ford 3.7-liter V6 gasoline engine rated at 274 HP and 260 lb./ft. of torque that is capable of running E85 or can be equipped with a Gaseous Engine Prep package for compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) operation. Also available is a Ford 3.2-liter I-5 diesel engine with a 185-HP, 350-lb./ft. torque rating.
