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New 2016 Ford Tourneo MPV Shows At Shanghai Motor Show

When one pictures “luxury,” one’s mind doesn’t necessarily conjure an image of an MPV; such big vehicles tend to be more utilitarian than finely-appointed in nature.

But the new Chinese market 2016 Ford Tourneo, displayed yesterday at the Shanghai Motor Show, is so bold as to attempt blending a premium treatment with copious utility. Based off of the European Ford Tourneo, this revamped version for China offers some unexpected comforts like a sunroof over the captain’s chairs in the vehicle’s second row, and a more liberal application of premium materials.

All of this fuss is informed by market research, says Ford, because MPVs are frequently used in China for transporting business passengers. These passengers typically tend to demand more in the way of quality appointments than more pedestrian occupants.

Outside, the Chinese-market 2016 Ford Tourneo looks essentially similar to the European version, save for some upscale-looking chrome-colored accents, unique headlights, and a black B-pillar to create the illusion of a continuous, unbroken line of glass along the side of the MPV. Powering the van is a twin-scroll 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, which Ford says offers the power and refinement of a normally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6, but with an added attention to efficiency.

But perhaps most important of all the changes to this China-bound 2016 Ford Tourneo MPV is an entirely new air suspension, developed with the Chinese customer in-mind. Ford is touting the system as a marriage between a comfortable ride, and the Tourneo’s existing clean, easy driving dynamics.

Whether all of these changes to the China-specific 2016 Ford Tourneo MPV will make their way into the European Tourneo and/or American Transit seems dubious. With any luck, however, we can expect at least some carryover to those markets. We’re talking to you, air suspension.

Aaron Birch is an automotive enthusiast and writer/filmmaker from Detroit, MI. As a rule, he only buys cars older than himself.

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