Ford’s new Transit Custom van is now on sale priced from €25,115-€51,680, writes Trish Whelan.
This new generation Custom commercial vehicle builds on the success of the outgoing model which became the top-selling van in its segment across Europe since 2015.
Two roof heights are offered as well as two wheelbase options; a gross vehicle mass range from 2.6 tonnes to 3.4 tonnes offering payloads of up to 1450kg, and bodystyles including van, kombi and double-cab-in-van.
Sporting a strong new front-end design with three-bar Transit grille, this one-tonne van features Ford’s EcoBlue 2.0 diesel engine (with outputs of 105hp, 130hp and 170hp) has been re-engineered to offer significant new features and capabilities including a new ECOnetic van variant delivering improved fuel efficiency of 5.7 L/100kms (an increase of 6pc over the most efficient current vehicle) and 148 g/km C02 emissions.
Available for the 300 Series short wheelbase van, the ECOnetic variant features the 105hp engine with Auto-Stop-Start, low resistance tyres, Ford’s Acceleration Control feature, and a fixed 100km/h (62mph) speed limiter.
Features include new seat designs with durable fabrics; an instrument panel based on Ford’s new interior design philosophy as seen on the all-new Fiesta; a tablet-inspired 8-inch colour touchscreen with Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system that can be operated with pinch and swipe gestures. This system allows drivers to control audio, navigation and connected smartphones using simple, conversational voice commands and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Further technologies introduced to commercial vehicles for the first time include Intelligent Speed Assist that could help prevent drivers from exceeding speed limits. This new model is also the first Ford van in Europe to offer the company’s Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert. Other features include Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, rear view camera, Adaptive Cruise Control and Side Wind Stabilisation.
The entry level Base trim features rake and reach steering adjustment; electric front windows; remote central locking with deadlocks; passenger side sliding load door with track cover; two 12 volt power points; DIN/ISO compliant metal bulkhead with load through hatch (van only with dual passenger); Roll Stability Control; Side Wind Mitigation; and a full size spare wheel.
The Trend spec adds power mirrors, LED DTRLS and cornering fog lights; a lockable glove box; front and rear sensors; Bluetooth, SYNC with Emergency Assistance; an easy clean load floor; heated windscreen; and cruise control. Moving up again, the Limited version gets the 8-inch colour TFT touch screen and Emergency Assistance; heated front seats, alarm, and air conditioning. The Sport Van comes with partial leather seat trim, rear view cameras with trailer hitch assist; lane-keeping, special styling kit, 17-inch black alloy wheels with locking nuts.
Introduced in large 2012, Transit Custom was the first of Ford’s expanded all-new Transit line-up to go on sale and was later joined by the Transit Courier, Transit Connect and Transit models.
Ford last month announced an increase in production capacity for Transit, Transit Custom and Tourneo Custom models to satisfy growing customer demand. The $52 million investment at the Ford Otosan joint venture in Turkey will expand production by 40,000 units to 330,000 vehicles per year.
