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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Lawsuits claim sexual assault and whistle-blower retaliation at OnTrack Family needs new memories to replace terror of last Christmas St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament Public meetings for Dec. 15-19, 2014 Vigil planned for Ashland girl who's been missing since Nov. 29 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Lawsuits claim sexual assault and whistle-blower retaliation at OnTrack Gang-related shooting in Portland sends 3 youth to hospital Emergency services Jail lobby commotion sends man back to cell 30 minutes after release Medford police cite 25 in illegal camping enforcement sweep Politics and Elections Time running out for O&C funds GMO vote recount still shows little change GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means East Medford's the charm Education St. Mary's plays host to youth robotics tournament A lesson in giving Hedrick student council works to clean up the language Table Rock solid: Elementary school praised for keeping attendance up Eagle Point superintendent invited to White House Environment No fish, no funding for problem dams Most residents speak against gas pipeline Coalition asks for defense of GMO ban Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Bighorn sheep reintroduced along Klamath River State News Gang-related shooting in Portland sends 3 youth to hospital GMO labeling proponents concede defeat Tribes can decide whether to legalize pot Lawyer says football player had altercation Congress keeps Coast Guard helicopter flying Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Steven Luke Duncan Death Notices Cory Davis Donna Marie Pitblado Lyle Walther Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Phoenix’s Rubio wins title at Coast Classic Mariota takes Heisman in landslide Brooks, Oregon beat Illinois Navy makes it 13 in a row over Army Oregon State downs Mississippi State Varsity 541 College Sports Mariota takes Heisman in landslide Brooks, Oregon beat Illinois Navy makes it 13 in a row over Army Oregon State downs Mississippi State Fifteen things to consider about the NAIA championship Pro Sports Day, Tringale win Franklin Templeton Shootout Pistons snap 13-game losing streak Knicks’ Anthony says he won’t drop no-trade clause Tringale, Day open three-shot advantage Manziel confident he’ll remain poised in start Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate Blog: It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like... K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks State lags on grocery inspections Blog: Bear Creek Plaza next up on the market Real Estate News Rental owners group reports 2.48 percent vacancy rate More sales, but no change in residential housing median price Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban People In Business People in Business, Dec. 3 People in Business, Nov. 18 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Agriculture K-BAR ignites agriculture boom beneath Table Rocks Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Opinion Latest Other Views: Riley leaves strong legacy at OSU Our View: Cheers and jeers Letters to the Editor, Dec. 12 Guest Opinion: Suit threatens family farms and democratic vote Granlund cartoon: Flu shots less effective this year Editorials Other Views: Riley leaves strong legacy at OSU Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Sentencing reform pays dividends Our View: Find middle ground on timber policy Our View: Making sense of Medford crime numbers Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 12 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 11 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 10 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 9 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 8 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Suit threatens family farms and democratic vote Guest Opinion: SOU pool decision short-sighted Guest Opinion: It's time for biologists to let OR-7 go dark Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon Guest Opinion: Are we the preferred path to global devastation? 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Friday: Playing the Extremes Community blog: Gobble gougeres as appetizers or with light meals Food Community blog: Gobble gougeres as appetizers or with light meals Community blog: Choose presents cooks can cherish, not regift Roasted vegetables are rich, flavorful Food for Thought: Meal-planning hacks to help you dine fast and healthy Kitchen Call: Hints for gluten-free holidays Home and Garden Rogue Valley Christmas light displays Remodeling your attic: Know the details before you start Dear Monty: When a lawyer’s fee is four times higher than the quote Home Help: Make your new house feel like home Troubleshoot common water boiler problems Health Community blog: Saving Lives Health Watch: Curb your kitchen cravings this holiday season Community blog: Unsubscribe.com Community blog: Redefining Family Dr. Murray Feingold: Say it like you mean it Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Milestones and Achievements Time running out for O&C funds Hire 'em and pray for snow Madi-Stiles A New Song Rogers-Horn Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories TMTO's 'Christmas Carol' a big, warmhearted extravaganza Phil Newton & David Pinsky at 2Hawk Winery Live Music in Local Clubs Over Easy serves 'pop-up' brunch Sundays Meet the real Jacob Marley Theater Meet the real Jacob Marley This Nutcracker ballet will have a superhero twist Plumbing the depths of meaning TMTO presents 'A Christmas Carol: The Musical' Theater review: 'Fiddler' charms audience in magical Camelot performance Music Rating old-timers’ albums from 2014 Phil Newton & David Pinsky at 2Hawk Winery Handel's 'Messiah' set for this weekend Live Music in Local Clubs Bob Haworth plays EdenVale Winery Community Events Rogue Valley Christmas light displays It's a Hamazon holiday at the Playwright Public House 4 Things to do this Week Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Dining Over Easy serves 'pop-up' brunch Sundays Ooblies Artisan Waffle Sandwiches Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Lawsuits claim sexual assault and whistle-blower retaliation at OnTrack ... Medford police cite 25 in illegal camping enforcement sweep ... Our View: Cheers and jeers ... Lawsuits claim sexual assault and whistle-blower retaliation at OnTrack ... Medford police cite 25 in illegal camping enforcement sweep ... Our View: Cheers and jeers ... Ride & Drive: Ford Transit By Neal White More Content Now MailTribune.com By Neal White More Content Now Posted Dec. 2, 2014 @ 7:52 am Updated Dec 2, 2014 at 8:07 AM By Neal White More Content Now Posted Dec. 2, 2014 @ 7:52 am Updated Dec 2, 2014 at 8:07 AM » Social News Yes, I get to test drive a lot of sexy sports cars, really elegant luxury models and everything in between. Without question, my popularity around town rises and falls each week based on what model is parked in my space in front of the newspaper. Being an auto writer isn’t always as glamorous as most people think. OK, it is pretty glamorous, but the point I’m trying to make is I also have the opportunity to write about vehicles that, while not sexy, play an important role in helping move the global economy. This week’s test vehicle, the 2015 Ford Transit Connect, is a great example of that. Because it’s not the usual type of vehicle I receive to drive for a week and write an evaluation, it did serve as the source for some good-natured ribbing from my colleagues at the paper. I will remember their comments, however, and the next time I receive a sexy sports car, they don’t get to go for a ride. But I digress. The Ford Transit is the fastest growing nameplate in the commercial van/wagon segment in the world. That’s right, in the world. Developed to meet the needs of fleet customers on six continents and in 118 markets, Transit is designed to provide customers with greater work capability while helping improve their productivity and bottom lines. In addition to van, wagon, chassis cab and cutaway body styles, the Transit is available in three body lengths, two wheelbases and three roof heights — with a best in class maximum cargo capacity of 487.3 cubic feet when properly equipped. With a base price starting below $30,000, consumers have their choice of three available engines: • 3.7-liter V-6 delivering 275 horsepower and 260 lbs.-ft. torque. In addition to providing E85 flex-fuel capability, the 3.7-liter V-6 is also available with a compressed natural gas/liquid propane gas prep kit for fleets looking to take advantage of this affordable, clean fuel alternative. • 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 delivering 310 horsepower and 400 lbs.-ft. torque. • 3.2-liter Power Stroke diesel I-5 delivering 185 horsepower and 350 lbs.-ft. torque. The high-roof Transit van features 81.5 inches of interior cargo height, enough headroom for a person 6-feet, 4-inches tall to stand upright in the cargo area. The medium-roof model can accommodate up to 72 inches of cargo height, while the low-roof model has almost 56 inches of cargo height — all with rear cargo doors that can open up to 270 degrees for easy loading and unloading. The interior has been developed for easy upfit of racks, bins, shelving and other cargo storage and hauling solutions while the largest passenger version can carry up to 15 people. I was impressed at how easy it is to drive — not what I expected from my high-roof test vehicle. Ford engineers did a great job on the steering and suspension system — and I really appreciated all the creature comforts. It’s unlike any work vehicle I’ve driven. For companies looking to upgrade their fleet of vehicles, the Transit is a must for a test drive. Neal White has been covering the automotive industry for more than 20 years and is affiliated with the Texas Auto Writers Association. THE NUTS AND BOLTS MODEL: 2015 Ford Transit Commercial van, waggon, chassis cab and cutaway body Rear-wheel drive Medium wheelbase, long wheelbase, long wheelbase extended length Low roof, medium roof, high roof Trim packages: Van, wagon XL, wagon XLT PRICE RANGE: Starting at $29,565 ENGINE: 3.7L V6 (275 hp/260 T) 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (310 hp/400 torque) 3.2L diesel I5 (185 hp/350 T) TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic STABILITY CONTROL: AdvanceTrac stability with roll stability control BRAKES: ABS LENGTH: 219.9-263.9 in. WHEELBASE: 129.9/147.6 inches WIDTH: 97.4inches HEIGHT: 83.6/100.8/110.1 inches TRACK: 68.2/68.6 inches (front/rear) FUEL TANK: 25 gallons TIRES: 16-inch CARGO: Up to 487.3 cubic feet. By Neal White More Content Now MailTribune.com By Neal White More Content Now Posted Dec. 2, 2014 @ 7:52 am Updated Dec 2, 2014 at 8:07 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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