Ford has begun taking orders for its Transit Connect taxi, which has been purpose-built for Hong Kong, where taxis are a primary means of transportation for seven million residents and more than 54 million annual visitors.

The Transit Connect taxi is equipped with a Ford-engineered, clean-burning liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel system specifically designed to run on Hong Kong's well-established LPG fuelling infrastructure to provide dependability and low maintenance with a fuel tank range of more than 500 kilometers.

The vehicle's 2.5L i-VCT engine produces 162PS (119kw) of power and 221Nm of torque. Ford's Hill Start Assist feature ensures no roll-back on steep gradients, even when fully loaded with four passengers and their luggage, according to Ford.

The Transit Connect taxi uses a durable twist-beam rear suspension that prioritizes passenger comfort and cargo carrying capability. Its interior provides plenty of space for passenger headroom and legroom. The vehicles offers 1,656-liters of cargo capacity behind the passenger's second row, which is roughly three times that available in the majority of taxis currently operating in Hong Kong.

The vehicle offers dual-sliding doors to make it easy to get in and out of the taxi on Hong Kong's crowded streets.

Safety features include six airbags, including driver, passenger, and front and rear passenger side curtain airbags; three-point safety belts for all seats; and a rear-view camera with a "reverse sensing system."

Taxi owners will benefit from Ford's city-wide aftersales network, including the service centre in Aberdeen, as well as the newly-opened Quick Lane Tire and Auto Centre on Ko Fai Road, Yau Tong, Kowloon. Both of these facilities feature a dedicated zone for speedy LPG-inspection.

Transit Connect taxis now serve passengers in U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago.