Ford Transit rules the Van Scene

The Ford Transit is an easily recognized name and an English institution. It won’t be collected here anymore, but rather the Ford Transit has been profoundly established in our industry and society for more than fifty years.

Regardless of its very much earned place in van old stories, the Transit commercial center is harder than it’s ever been. While it once was an innovator, the enormous Ford should now confront up to capable opponents like the Vauxhall Movano, Mercedes Sprinter and Citroen Transfer.

Life has got more complicated even within the Ford Transit range, as it has now been broadened out to four distinct models. The smallest versions are called the Transit Courier and Transit Connect compact vans, and there’s also a medium-sized Transit Custom panel van before you get to the Ford Transit itself. Indeed, to help clarify the range, the standard van is sometimes referred to as the ‘Transit two tonne’.

With everything from panel vans, pickups, tippers, crew cabs, chassis cabs and minibuses available, and all in a vast range of specifications, Ford reckons there are around 450 different ways to spec up a Transit.

Ford Transit Engines

There are three engine power choices accessible with the Transit, all subsidiaries of the 2.0-litre EcoBlue common-rail diesel engine. At that point clients have the decision of front, back or all-wheel-drive.

The range-topping 168bhp version delivers excellent performance and flexibility aided by 405Nm of torque from just 1,750rpm. If you regularly approach your van’s payload capacity, this might be the engine to choose but even if you don’t its flexibility and superior refinement make it a highly desirable option. Even in ‘Jumbo’ H4 L3 form, the Transit can easily keep up with the flow of traffic with this engine. It speaks volumes that this unit has been fitted to the Transit first before it arrives in Ford’s passenger cars.

This astounding differing quality has certainly helped the Transit remain aggressive, yet it was focused weights that likewise observed Ford Transit creation move as of late from Southampton to Turkey. In any event despite everything we get the chance to manufacture the model’s most recent “EcoBlue” TDCi diesel engines in Dagenham.

Best in Class

This amazing diversity has definitely helped the Transit stay competitive, but it was competitive pressures that also saw Ford Transit production move recently from Southampton to Turkey. At least we still get to build the model’s latest ‘EcoBlue’ TDCi diesel engines in Dagenham.

The trouble with having a reputation like the Ford Transit’s is that you have to uphold it. In a bid to do exactly that, Ford introduced a series of updates in the summer of 2016. The most important was the arrival of those EcoBlue TDCi engines to meet the Euro6 emissions standards, but there were also improved driving dynamics plus additions in the technology and safety departments.

There are two core trim levels, Base and Trend, with all models getting remote central locking, an 8-way adjustable driver’s seat, a full bulkhead and an impressive collection of safety tech. There are three load lengths (L2, L3 and L4) and two roof heights (H2 and H3). The biggest Transit Jumbo models still aren’t quite on the scale of its largest rivals but the Transit’s efficiency is a match for anything out there – as is the driving experience.

Running Costs

The price of fuel being what it is, every business is keen to use as little as possible and the Transit is well up to the task. The latest range is powered by Ford’s advanced 2.0-litre EcoBlue engines which offer a 13% fuel economy improvement over the old 2.2-litre engines and feature a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. That means it uses AdBlue urea injections to get the Transit under the Euro 6 emissions standards. This means that all Transits now have a 21-litre AdBlue tank which will last around 6,000 miles before a refill is needed.

Features like Ford’s Auto-Start-Stop, regenerative braking and a gear shift indicator contribute to that efficiency performance but so does the latest 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel found in all Transit models. The four-cylinder features an advanced combustion process with common-rail injectors operating at a pressure of 2,000 bar,  capable of making up to six fuel injections into the cylinder per cycle. There’s also low intertia turbocharging technology taken from Ford’s acclaimed EcoBoost petrol engines, reduced internal friction, and a built-in exhaust gas recirculation system.

The powerful 168hp version manages 40.9mpg in the long wheelbase/medium roof (L3/H2) form with CO2 emissions of 179g/km. You don’t gain a huge amount by opting for the less powerful engines (the most frugal variant manages 42.2mpg) but the rear-wheel-drive models do increase fuel consumption.

The drive to cut running costs in this Transit isn’t limited to the engine bay. The high-mounted lights, all-round body protection and multi-piece rear bumper were designed to minimise the chance of damage and cut the cost of repair should any mishaps occur. Service intervals of two years or 36,000 miles will go down well with operators as will a cut in the maintenance time needed over the first 93,000 miles to just 4.2hrs.

Insurance costs should be competitive too, and Ford has done its bit to keep your loads and personal items safe too. Remote central locking and anti-tamper shielded locks are standards, as are doors that lock as you drive off. There are two optional alarm systems, including a basic perimeter alarm and a more sophisticated Thatcham Category 1 system.

Ford Transit Range

The Transit range is vast. There are panel vans, chassis cabs, drop-side trucks and minibuses. The vans offer gross vehicle weights from 2.9 tonnes to 4.7 tonnes in the Transit Jumbo and load volumes from 9.6 cubic metres to 15.1 cubic metres. Some of the Transit’s rivals go up as far as 17 cubic metres so that’s one area where the Ford falls slightly short.

Ford has worked to increase the usability of the Transit’s load area too. Little features like the bright LED lighting and the tough plastic load floor covers that extend up the walls of the van help, as does the wide step cut into the rear bumper.

The load space is more uniformly shaped than in the previous Transit so getting larger items inside should be easier. The doors open wide and there’s a handy catch inside the rear doors that releases them to open the full 180 degrees.

Quality & Security in Ford Transit

Ford subjected this Transit to a thorough testing program that took in 680,000 miles of driving in the full scope of conditions this worldwide board van is probably going to experience. Of that, 310,000 miles were embraced in the hands of real Transit clients who utilized the vehicle everyday and reported any issues. After all that, it surely ought to be solid. Long haul execution of the EcoBlue engines hasn’t been affirmed outside of Ford’s program, obviously.

It should be safe, too. Ford has fitted one of the most advanced ESC stability control systems ever seen on a van with a variety of add-on features specifically designed for commercial vehicles.

There’s now Side Wind Stabilisation to help deal with crosswinds and Curve Control technology that can brake individual wheels to keep the Transit under control if it detects the driver entering a corner too fast. Load Adaptive Roll Stability Control negates the destabilising effect of a heavy load in the back and Trailer Sway Control helps keep a wayward trailer in check.

Even more impressive is the arrival in the Transit of Ford’s Pre-Collision Assist with pedestrian detection. Available from the options list, it can detect and warn the driver of an impending collision, preparing the braking system in advance, then apply the brakes automatically if no action is taken by the driver.

Notwithstanding that innovative security net, all Transits additionally get front, side and window ornament airbags. Tire weight checking, path keeping help, cornering headlights and a flawless turning around camera that shows a shading picture in the back view mirror are likewise accessible.