WHITE VAN NO MORE?
Incredibly, it’s six years since the current generation of Transit was introduced but a recent and perhaps overdue facelift came with the old adage of‘ if it ain’ t broke, don’ t fix it ’. certainly Ford has been anxious not to change for the sake of change, majoring mainly on detailed improvements to the cabin and general appointments.
As before, in standard and longer wheelbase guises, the trim levels are Base, Trend, Limited and Sport the later we are concentrating on because of the increasing popularity of work rest and play LCVS which, for many small operators has to also replace a normal out of hours car. And at over £30,000 they have a right to expect it.
Decked out in a snazzy paint job and boy racer stripes, it certainly shouts Sport although mechanically it’s standard but if you wish you can go further with the bespoke MS RT; a sportified Sport from a South Wales conversion company who gives this Transit a meaner look plus adds a sports exhaust and suspension along with fatter tyres than the standard 18 inch alloys – but you looking at almost £44,000 for one!
Our particular test Sport – a five-seater Kombi – sufficed; its 2-litre 170bhp diesel (105bhp and 130bhp tunes are optional), allied to an excellent six-speed auto, provided more than ample performance and pulling guts. The handling is as before, which means car-like manners with an agreeable ride; giving you the impression that you’re driving a bigger Mondeo rather than a Transit.
Depending upon model, assisting the driver are electronic wizardly such as Intelligent Speed Assist, Blind Sport Information System (including Cross Traffic Alert), Pre Collision Assist and Pedestrian Protection. All this goes with the standard anti-lock brakes, load and roll (cornering) control, traction control, Wind Stabilisation plus Hill Start assist – add option automatic transmission and the thing practically drives itself!
It’s the interior which gains the biggest makeover with a new, more capacious dash layout to accommodate tablets, lap tops and so on and it’s not a engulfing as the old Focus-styled one. With the Sport trim comes a eight inch colour touchscreen with Synch 3 and DAB. Comfort and refinement is class leading and, like all Fords, you feel right at home and in Kombi guise it makes an agreeably civilised and roomy dual role MPV yet still provides adequate workability for many traders with its pleasingly low load height of under 600mm.
With 53 years to its credit, Transit is not so much a van but more an institution becoming the mainstay of many businesses and why probably Ford will never change the name. It’s sold a claimed eight million worldwide; indeed, the 2012 model has accounted for over 200,000 sales on its own and if Transit was a stand alone vehicle manufacturer it would be in the UK’S top ten sellers! The latest Sport van certainly gets you noticed which can be a useful promotional tool, albeit an expensive one.