Ford Transit Wagon performs van duties (pictures)

At the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, Ford offered a sneak peek at its new Transit Connect Wagon, a European-designed vehicle which will serve as a people carrier, minivan, and utility vehicle. The vehicle represents the next generation of the Transit Connect vehicle now sold in the U.S. as a small utility truck.

Ford imbues the Transit Connect Wagon with the same styling that goes into its passenger cars, drawing a clear familial link between vehicles that are often very dissimilar. Unlike what Americans would expect for such a large vehicle, the Transit Connect Wagon will only come with two four-cylinder engine options. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, but the Platinum-edition vehicle shown here comes with a 2-liter EcoBoost engine, using direct injection and a turbo to achieve good fuel economy.

Ford showed this long wheelbase version, with three rows of seats, and the standard two-row version at the LA Auto Show. Although each model was fitted with chairs, Ford will show utility versions at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. In functionality, there is overlap between the Transit Connect Wagon and the E-series line of vans, suggesting the potential for eliminating the E-series.

The front-wheel-drive Transit Connect Wagon has passenger capacity of 120 cubic feet in its standard version, and 160 cubic feet with its long wheelbase. Additionally, there is up to 50 cubic feet of cargo area.

The Transit Connect Wagon has front hinged doors and rear sliding doors. The middle-row seats both slide and fold down. The vehicle's large interior space offers Ford and buyers a blank slate to customize for different purposes.

The dashboard of the Transit Connect Wagon is on the same design as the Fiesta, and should have similar electronic features.