While at the European press launch of the new Transit Custom, we had the opportunity to view the new Transit Connect and Transit Courier vans, which are part of Ford's product revolution.
The company says it is renewing its entire commercial line-up in Europe during the next 18 months, and Transit Connect and Transit Courier are an important part of the latest four-model Transit family.
Featuring stylish new designs, more fuel-efficient powertrains and advanced new driver assistance technologies, the two new Transit models will be available to order in spring 2018 for customer delivery from the middle of the year.
New Transit Connect
The new Transit Connect delivers a bolder design and fuel-efficient engines with the new 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel and 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol featuring cylinder deactivation. The former new diesel engine combines the latest fuel injection, turbocharging and emission-control technologies with a low-friction engine design to deliver improved performance alongside reduced fuel-consumption.
An upgraded six-speed manual transmission is now fitted to all engines as standard. The 1.5litre EcoBlue engine can also be specified with an advanced new eight-speed automatic transmission, which has been engineered to deliver optimised fuel-efficiency alongside responsive performance and smooth, swift gearshifts.
A smart new front-end appearance adopts the latest Ford design DNA. An imposing three-bar Transit grille with slimmer headlamps – with powerful HID Xenon lamps and LED daytime running lights available on high series models - combine with a more aerodynamic lower fascia and front spoiler to deliver the fresh new look.
Inside the Transit Connect, an upgraded cabin features a revised instrument panel with a new central control area that incorporates a floating, tablet-inspired six-inch colour touchscreen on high series models, featuring Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system. New trim materials provide a stylish and hard-wearing working environment for long working days in the cab.
To minimise overall cost of ownership, service intervals have been extended on both diesel and petrol variants, with manual diesel vehicles now offering best-in-class variable intervals of up to two years/40,000km (25,000m ). The longer service intervals contribute to scheduled maintenance and non-scheduled repair costs that are significantly lower than the primary competition, according to Ford analysis.
Like the outgoing model, new Transit Connect offers commercial vehicle operators an outstanding breadth of capabilities, with short and long wheelbase options providing load volumes up to 3.6 m3 (VDA ), payload capacity ranging from 520-890kg, and bodystyles including van, kombi and double-cab-in-van.
New Transit Courier
Meanwhile the compact new Transit Courier offers updated powertrains with standard six-speed transmission, SYNC 3 technology, and refreshed front-end appearance.
The cabin features a redesigned centre console design for enhanced ergonomics, including a new, larger six-inch colour touchscreen with Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system that is available on higher series models, and positioned closer to the driver for improved visibility and ease-of-use.
For the ultimate in low running costs, a new fuel-efficiency package is offered as standard on diesel models, which integrates optimised aerodynamics with an Active Grille Shutter that improves warm-up times and reduces aero-drag.
The new Transit Courier offers urban van operators a payload capacity ranging from 500-590kg, load volumes up to 2.4 m3 (VDA ), and a choice of van and kombi bodystyles.
