Ford TRANSIT VAN range
A lot has happened since Ford introduced the very first Ford Transit in 1965. At that time, not even the most optimistic of the Blue Oval's marketeers could have predicted the impact it would have around the world. Nearly four decades on, it still leads the way in the one to two-tonne segment - the place where the majority of business people buy their vans.
Of course, Ford hasn't had things all its own way over the last few decades. An army of competitors has sprung up, copying and sometimes surpassing the practical Transit's many virtues. Hence the need for the latest model - and its more innovative approach. What's emerged are effectively two different vehicles for two different customer needs, one front and one rear-wheel drive - yet both share a single engineering platform and virtually all the same parts. The new design had to take a variety of engines situated in a variety of positions - and the bodywork needed to be more flexible so that aftermarket conversions would be easier.
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Like its predecessor, this Transit comes in an almost bewildering number of variants. There are three wheelbase choices, including a medium-length version, plus four load lengths and four roof heights. There's also the option of van and bus bodies: in addition, single and double chassis-cabs with single and dual rear wheels are also available. Ford says that development of the latest Transit was driven exclusively by customer needs and demands. These determined that function and value should be the leading principles behind its design - examples of which are easy to find. So it is that both load volume and payload levels are up - but not at the expense of driver comfort or ease of use.
Current Transit users should testify to the van's legendary reputation for robustness and strength, and the latest version is designed and styled to reinforce those values - particularly under the bonnet where the engines on offer are cutting edge. Most users will opt for diesel power in the form of either 2.0 or 2.4-litre turbo diesel units.
Then theres the choice of either TDdi or TDCi engine technology. The former is a conventional diesel engine, the later denotes the more advanced common-rail configuration. There's also a 2.3-litre petrol alternative that can be ordered as an LPG conversion. Either way, Ford's objective has been to drive down the cost of ownership, improve fuel economy and reduce maintenance costs by extending service intervals to 15,000 miles. The rear-wheel drive Transit models use the 2.4-litre diesels and the 2.3 petrol unit.
Front-driven variants, meanwhile, are powered by the 2.0-litre diesel engines. Opt, as many will, for the 2.4-litre diesels and there's a choice of three power outputs - 90PS (TDdi), 115PS (TDdi) or 137PS (TDCi). As with the 2.0-litre versions, these are all very clean powerplants: indeed Ford promise that you'll detect no visible diesel smoke for the entire life of the engine. The star of the engine range could well be the common-rail injection 2.0-litre TDCi with its 125PS and massive amounts of low-end torque though there are less powerful 85 and 100PS 2.0-litre diesels forming an affordable entry-point to the range.
Which brings us to the business end of the vehicle. The engineering challenge for the latest Transit was to create a simple, versatile loadbox and chassis structure. It had to be easy to load and unload, take more payload - both weight and volume - and all within a common structure that would suit one and two tonne van operators, plus chassis cab buyers. Significantly, with the Transit's dual-configuration strategy, customers who need the extra capacity and flexibility of a lower load floor can choose the front-wheel drive version. In all, there are three wheelbases and four load lengths, ranging from 2.58 to more than 4 metres. Each wheelbase offers the possibility to carry one more Europallet than the previous model and the result is class-leading load capacity in the 3.
5-tonne GVM category. There's also two sizes of side-door, both designed to provide easy access for pallets and offer the best solution for individual needs. If you want to accommodate the biggest load possible, youll want the Transit Jumbo with its 14.3 cubic meter load volume. Inside the cab, the driving environment is much improved.
Around 50mm more seat travel offers greater space and comfort. The redesigned seats are fully adjustable and include lumbar support, tilt and recline, height adjustment and fore/aft travel. There's an enhanced climate control and ventilation system with easier to use controls positioned high in the dashboard, an upgraded audio system and added storage areas for drinks, documents and mobile phones. You should find this van better to drive too: even former World Champion Jackie Stewart contributed to its dynamic development. The braking, handling, ride and steering systems have all been enhanced to the point where you should feel the difference immediately. ABS brakes are standard on all models. Security too was a development priority.
With the development of a new 'lock-in-latch' system, the latest Transit does away with the cables and connecting rods that allow thieves to jimmy open locks. In addition, there's a key-locking bonnet and an upgraded Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) system. Slam-locking rear doors also reduce the risk of accidentally leaving doors unlocked. So it looks as if Ford has thought of almost everything. The Transit has never been a product that van users could comfortably ignore - but it wasn't always the best of its kind. This latest version, on the other hand, is fiercely competitive. The competition will need to give it a long hard look - and if you're shopping in this sector, so will you.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Ford Transit range ENGINES: 2.0 and 2.4-litre TDdi and TDCi turbo diesels / 2.3-litre DOHC petrol - front or rear wheel drive WHEELBASES: three options BODYWORK: four load lengths (from 2.58-4 metres) and 4 roof heights BODY OPTIONS: van, bus, single and double chassiscab with single or dual rear wheels
