New Ford Transit Custom later this year

Ford's all-new Transit Custom van makes its global debut at the Birmingham CV Show this week. Ford say it is a more stylish Transit and more functional too, writes Trish Whelan.

Representing a completely new generation of Ford one-tonne vehicles, the Transit Custom marks a major step in Ford's commitment to refresh its entire commercial vehicle line-up by 2014.

It is set to target an expanded share of the segment, appealing to a broad range of professionals, skilled tradesmen and small businesses.

Powered by an improved version of Ford's 2.2 Duratorq TDCi diesel engine outputting 100PS, 125PS and 155PS, this power unit now has Auto-Start-Stop as standard on Stage V vehicles, delivering combined fuel consumption of 6.6 L/100km (42.8mpg) and 174g/km C02 emissions - down by up to 8 percent on the equivalent current Transit.

With a full range of van, kombi, and double-cab-in-van models, the new Transit Custom will go on sale later this year in Europe as well as other global markets. The new Transit Custom will be produced at Ford's plant in Kocaeli, Turkey.