A high roof version of Ford's Transit Custom will go on sale in Ireland before the end of the year, writes Brian Byrne.
It provides 20 percent more load volume and 370mm greater height than the standard Transit Custom, winner of European and Continental Irish Van of the Year titles.
It will be capable of taking three Euro pallets in both its short and long wheelbase versions.
(The full press release can be read below the advert.)
Cork, October 1, 2013 - Ford Motor Company has announced a new high-roof version of the Transit Custom one-tonne commercial vehicle offering 20 per cent more load volume than the low-roof model is now available to order in Europe for delivery later this year.
This new version of the 2013 International Van of the Year is designed for customers including builders and parcel operators, and features 370 mm greater load height to increase the distance from floor to roof to 1.78 metres and offers a maximum load volume of up to 8.3 cubic metres (full bulkhead fitted).
The high-roof model is unique in the segment for its all-steel roof construction that offers more durability than composite roof panels, along with roof rack capability and a maximum roof load of 100 kilograms.
“This is a Transit Custom plus – all the style, economy and durability of the low-roof vehicle, plus that valuable extra cargo volume,” said David Gregory, Transit Custom chief program engineer, Ford of Europe. “We also made sure that the high-roof keeps all those smart load space features that customers asked for when we designed the new model.”
Deliveries of the new high-roof Transit Custom begin later this year, and customers have the same comprehensive options as the low-roof vehicle including short and long wheelbase versions and a wide gross vehicle weight and powertrain range; both van and kombi bodystyles are available.
Also in line with the low-roof model, the high-roof Transit Custom offers best-in-class load space features including the widest side door opening to enable loaded Euro pallet access, and the ability to carry three loaded Euro pallets in both short and long wheelbase models.
Innovative load space features developed include:
· Load-through hatch in bulkhead enabling loads up to 3.0 metres in length, such as pipes or ladders, to be safely carried inside the vehicle (3.4 metres in long wheelbase model)
· Repositioned DIN and ISO compliant tie-down hooks located on the body sides, to increase usable load area and allow complete cleaning of the floor
· Tailored, one-piece easy-to-clean load floor liner offering enhanced durability and simple cleaning
· Ultra-bright LED loadspace lighting with four high-performance LED units
The high-roof Transit Custom also offers outstanding fuel economy with CO2 emissions from 178 g/km* delivered by the improved 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel with optional Auto-Start-Stop. Cost-of-ownership is further minimised by the longest service intervals in the class at two years/50,000 km/30,000 miles.
The Transit Custom is the only van in its segment to have achieved a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and the high-roof model also delivers advanced Ford vehicle technologies including SYNC with Emergency Assistance, Rear View Camera, Acceleration Control, Auto High Beam, Lane Keeping Alert and Driver Alert.
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* The stated fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are measured according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulation (EC) 715/2007 as last amended. Results in MPG also correspond to this European drive cycle and are stated in imperial gallons. The results may differ from fuel economy figures in other regions of the world due to the different drive cycles and regulations used in those markets.
