Ford Transit Connect Van Range : GET YOURSELF CONNECTED

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Ford's Transit Connect models have been refreshed to better appeal to businesses seeking a compact van. Jonathan Crouch reports

Ford may have arrived fashionably late into the modern small van market but with their Transit Connect, they certainly made an effective entrance. Still, the competition is much tougher these days, hence a series of improvements designed to keep the design current. What hasn't changed is an impressive all-diesel engine range and that trademark Transit strength.

It seems a very long time ago that small van manufacturing was based on `box-on-body' car-derived vans. The more integrated `one-box' approach has been in favour for quite some time, first with designs like Citroen's Berlingo, Renault's Kangoo and Vauxhall's Combo and, more recently, with an even smaller van sub-niche populated by products like Citroen's Nemo, Peugeot's Bipper and Fiat Fiorino. Ford's improved Transit Connect must take on all these rivals, long wheelbase models dealing with larger competitors and smaller short wheelbase variants dealing with more compact ones. Helping its cause is the fact that the Transit name is a big one in van world. Ford's largest light commercial vehicle has stood for years, as an immovable object protruding from the heart of the large panel van market. Many challengers and imitators have fallen by the wayside but the mighty Ford remains. The name has come to stand for affordability and dependability. So what's new with this improved Transit Connect? Well, those familiar with the product will notice the fresh face up front - the trapezoidal shape to the front bumper and grille and the redesigned headlamps - plus other features like re-shaped tail lamps, body side mouldings and redesigned alloy wheels. Inside, the design of the restyled dashboard has clearly been influenced by the luxurious Ford S-MAX. Plus there are more comfortable seats and higher quality, more durable materials.

"A good-looking, well-rounded packageâ€¦"

That brings us on to the contents of the Transit Connect engine bay. Not too much change here. As before, the range is based around Ford's trusty Duratorq 1.8 TDCI diesel. With 220Nm of torque on offer at just 1,750rpm the mid-range 89bhp powerplant pulls strongly and rarely feels overworked. The excellent TDCI configuration with its high-pressure common-rail fuel injection technology has gone down a storm in Ford passenger cars and van drivers have been similarly taken with it. As well as useful low-end performance, this TDCI manages to return 37mpg on the combined cycle. A figure that's only marginally inferior to the entry-level diesel option - a 74bhp 1.8-litre TDCI engine that produces the Connect's best combined economy. The range-topping option is a 109bhp version of the TDCi powerplant - one of the strongest feeling engines you'll find in this class of van. The two more powerful versions of Transit Connect can be fitted with an optional coated Diesel Particulate Filter (cDPF) for greener emissions. The Transit Connect is available in short wheelbase/low roof and long wheelbase/high roof designs. Plus, there's also a passenger version, the Tourneo Connect, which comes as a long wheelbase, high roof. The generic vehicle design was targeted to meet an optimum balance of vehicle length and cargo capacity. The Transit Connect with short wheelbase (SWB) has a compact overall length of just 4.275 metres, but offers a decent cargo volume of 2.8 cubic metres - and the standard fold-flat passenger seat increases this to 3.4 cubic metres. The long wheel base (LWB) version adds another 25cm to the overall length and around 17cm to the load box heights, resulting in a 4.4 cubic metre loadspace with fold flat passenger seats. In all van versions, the load box width between the wheel arches is wider than 1.2 metres to make sure that standard sized cargo like Euro pallets can be laden with ease. All Connect vans can be ordered with regular or upgraded payload versions, offering a gross payload of up to 900kg. To give access to the cargo area, a wide choice of rear and side door openings can be ordered. Load security of course will be key for operators. The Transit Connect has a standard full steel foldable mesh bulkhead with solid tie-down hooks; this arrangement makes best use of the fold flat passenger seat. A full steel bulkhead is also available and can be specified with a glazed window. Standard captive nuts are fitted in the load box area to allow easy racking without the need to drill holes into the body structure. This design is better equipped these days. Starting with the entry-level model, standard features include power windows and a remote double locking system. The plusher Trend series adds front fog lights, power mirrors, a heated windscreen, a trip computer, voice control and Bluetooth for your mobile `phone, rain-sensing wipers and auto headlamps. Silver-coloured interior applications and an optional blue colour scheme add to the car-like feeling. At the top-of-the-range, the Limited includes features such as air conditioning, body-coloured handles, a chrome front grille and rear park-assist sensors. It's not unusual for a light van to be criticised for its ride quality or handling but recently, Ford have built a reputation for producing accomplished driver's cars, so we're entitled to expect a bit more from the Connect. The suspension on commercial vehicles has to be tuned to handle large loads but Ford have taken steps to ensure a sharp, surefooted drive as well. Safety-wise, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is now standard across the entire range, this including Anti Lock Brakes (ABS) with Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) as well as Active Yaw Control (AYC), Roll Over Mitigation (ROM) and Roll Movement Intervention (RMI). The new braking system electronics also include Ford's Hill Launch Assist (HLA). As a whole, the Transit Connect remains a good-looking, well-rounded package with warranty cover galore and long service intervals. The range might not be as diverse as that offered by some other manufacturers, especially considering that the Connect must appeal to buyers in both the small and not so small panel van sectors. Still, you'd have to back Ford's CV expertise, along with the heritage of the Transit name, to continue to carry it to the top.

Facts At A Glance VAN: Ford Transit Connect range ENGINES: 1.8 TDCi Diesel: 74bhp, 89bhp or 109bhp PAYLOADS: (SWB) 625/825Kg (LWB) 700/825/900Kg LOAD VOLUME: (cu. m) SWB: 2.8m. LWB 4.67m
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height. LWB: 4525/1795/1981