Your 2010 North American “Truck” of the Year is on its way to starring in either a classic Robert DeNiro performance or a something featuring Jimmy Fallon & Queen Latifah. The Ford 2011 Transit Connect NYC Taxi edition may become the new iconic mode of transit for tourists across the Isle of Manhattan. We’ll have to wait and see if the bald headed dude from Cash Cab will get one.

Transit Connect and a next generation hybrid system including pug-ins coming in 2012. So what’s under the hood on the electric Transit? Well, literally there’s a motor controller and a electric motor to start with, but in a more figurative sense there’s also a lithium-ion battery good for eighty miles of driving. With a 220V charging system it’ll charge in four hours, the traditional eight hours at 120V. The finished chassis comes into the US without a powertrain and will head to an as-yet unannounced site in Michigan for electrical upfit by Azure Dynamics, the supplier on the controls and drive line. Acceleration is on par with the standard Transit Connect with a top speed of 75 MPH.

The Taxi version’s the one with more upside potential for Ford. With the ubiquitous Crown Victoria nearing the end of its long and illustrious taxi career, something will have to replace it — especially given the NYC TLC has put out a new bid for a replacement product. Enter the Transit Connect Taxi. It’s the standard Transit Connect passenger version outfitted for taxi duty with 3 inches of additional leg room in the back, an integrated fare tracking system, a specialized version of the Ford Works Solutions system up front, and a combined information and entertainment and fare collecting system in the back. The Taxi is also being shown with the Compressed Natural Gas system fitted to the vehicle. It includes modified engine controls and fuel delivery system as well as a tank behind the passenger seat. There’s also the option of LPG and both systems can be had on a non-Taxi Transit Connect, if you place a big enough commercial order.

Source: Jalopnik

In comparison to other utility autos the 2010 Transit Connect is a small wonder – measuring only 167 inches you wouldn’t think the an would be a great pick for commuter transport or delivery service. But Ford is staking a big claim on their Transit, with hopes that The Big Apple can be a solid testing ground for the vehicle, as it is up to use as construction automobiles as well as taxi cabs.

Transit Connect isn’t the most powerful thing on four wheels, nor the fastest. With a 136 horse power engine with 128 ft-lb of torque you won’t win any late night drag races out on Long Island. But you don’t need speed when it comes to a work van – or do you? Breakaway speed is sometimes essential while tooling around Midtown during rush hour. Transit Connect does feature solid steering, brakes (a must have) and a decent turning radius of 39 ft.

Ford’s Fiesta, the other great European Ford coming stateside, won’t be on sale until sometime next year – but FoMoCo is going ahead with sales of 2010′s Transit Connect this summer. You’ll be set back $21,475, but you can probably write it off as a business expense if you’re going to strap ladders and repair equipment in the rear. As for the NYC Cab connect we can’t wait to see if the Transit Connect makes a hit as a possible future Yellow Cab for New York City.

Pictures Courtesy of Ford & Jalopnik