Ford refreshes mid-size Transit and Tourneo

The Ford Transit and Tourneo Custom twins have been refreshed. Launched in South Africa in early 2013, the new models have received some interior and exterior enhancements to boost their alternative offering to the likes of Volkswagen’s Transporter series and the Mercedes-Benz Vito.

From the outside, new trapezoidal grilles (three bars for the Transit and five chrome bars for the Tourneo) and slimmer headlamps define the new look. Signature daytime running lights, along with automatic headlight activation and front fog lamps, are standard lighting features on the Tourneo models, and feature on high-end Transits.

The Transit Custom range is once again headed by a Sport model, available exclusively in short-wheelbase, high-performance Panel-Van configuration.

The Sport’s signature twin bonnet stripes and exterior body kit have been redesigned for the new model, featuring a lower front skirt for the front bumper with unique fog-light bezels, body-colour side skirts, rear bumper skirts and wheel-arch extensions. In keeping with its athletic character, the Sport boasts 18-inch alloy wheels with low-profile 235/50 R18 tyres.

The Transit Sport boasts partial leather interior trim, while trim materials in the cabins of the rest of the new Transit and Tourneo models have been renewed to offer greater quality and durability. Comfort is further enhanced inside all models thanks to a new seat design with revised foam padding and geometry for optimised support.

Naturally, the Tourneo’s interior update goes a little further than that of the Transit; including the headliner, seats, side panels and carpets that include more upscale materials. Refinement in these models is also improved due to a significantly upgraded sound reduction package in the rear cabin. A more effective air-conditioning system offers faster cooling or heating to rear-seat passengers.

Active driving safety is enhanced with the standard fitment to both model ranges of Electronic Stability Program incorporating Hill Launch Assist, Load Adaptive Control, Roll-Over Mitigation and optional Trailer Sway Control.

Front and rear sensors linked to a parking camera display in the rear-view mirror have been included across the Transit range.

All models continue to be powered by the same 2,2-litre Duratorq engine series (coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox), available in three states of tune. There is an entry-level 74 kW/310 Nm version, a higher-output 92 kW/350 Nm option and – exclusive to the Transit Sport – a 114 kW/385 Nm model.

The Transit Custom vehicle line-up includes two wheelbase lengths, two body styles (three-seater Panel Van or six-seater Kombi Van), and three trim levels (Ambiente, Trend and Sport).

The new model offers a gross payload ranging from 1 155 kg (5,95 m³ volume) on the Sport SWB, to a hefty 1 505 kg (6,83 m³ volume) on the 92 kW Ambiente LWB.

Pricing for the Ford Transit Custom starts at R436 000 for the Ambiente 74 kW Panel Van, and climbs to R505 500 for the Trend 92 kW Kombi Van.

The Tourneo Custom is only available with the long-wheelbase chassis in Ambiente 74 kW or Trend 92 kW spec. They are rated to carry a gross payload of 915 kg. The Tourneo Custom models are priced at R546 000 and R576 300, respectively.

All models come standard with Ford’s four-year/120 000 km warranty, three-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and six-year/90 000 km service plan.