Ford Transit retains its leading status within the commercial vehicle sector with its modern exterior design and interior features. A raft of new developments in the Ford Transit range has been created to help operators manage the changing needs of transportation in Britain. Steve Kimber, director, commercial vehicles, Ford of Britain, said: "The commercial vehicle market continues to evolve, and it's important we continue to develop our product range to meet customers' changing needs.All-new engine for the Transit
For customers seeking extra power, increased payload and driving comfort, Ford Transit is now available with an all-new five-cylinder in-line Duratorq TDCi common rail diesel engine. This 3.2-litre power plant develops a maximum of 200 PS. Consistent with other engines in the Transit portfolio it meets European Stage IV Emissions standards. Exclusively developed for rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Transits and available for the wheelbase and payload derivatives it will benefit most – the 350+ series mid wheelbase (MWB), long wheelbase (LWB) and extended wheelbase. Scheduled service intervals of 30,000m or two years, whichever comes first, make Transit an attractive proposition to fleet managers and owner operators.
"Many of our customers told us they needed a more powerful engine for their long-haul deliveries, and our new 200 PS Duratorq TDCi engine is bound to impress both in terms of performance and fuel efficiency," said Henrik Nenzen, Director Commercial Vehicles, Marketing Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. The 200 PS engine, with its excellent torque of 470Nm gives great performance, irrespective of the load or road gradients. It contributes to less 'driver fatigue' by reducing the frequency of gear changes as it can be driven in a higher gear for longer. The new engine has been mated with an upgraded Durashift 6-speed manual transmission. Featuring a new dual mass flywheel and clutch assembly for the higher torque of the new engine, the durability requirements of the new gearbox have been engineered specifically to meet the needs of the commercial vehicle segment. To enable the longest possible range between refuelling, Ford is introducing the option of a fuel tank with increased capacity of 103 litres on Transit.
Higher payload for Transit
Ford is further expanding its already comprehensive Transit range by adding 460 (4.6 tonne) GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) and 350HD (3.5 tonne) GVM (Heavy Duty) model derivatives to the line-up, enhancing its tough, dependable image. Both the 460 GVM and 350HD models bring greater towing capacity to the Transit and are available across a range of wheelbases in van and chassis cab body styles with dual rear wheels. The upgraded standard front and rear axles on the 460 and 350HD models provide customers with more flexibility for weight distribution when loading the vehicle. To control the extra payload, these new Transit versions come with larger rear brake callipers, a heavy-duty handbrake, up rated rear springs and revised front and rear damper settings and a new front damper for the chassis cab.
Driver assistance technology
ESP is now standard on all derivatives, except all-wheel-drive and petrol models. The ESP system detects when the vehicle is deviating from the driver's chosen course and automatically applies the correct amount of braking pressure and engine power to bring the vehicle back into line. Vehicles equipped with ESP will now also have Ford's new Hill Launch Assist (HLA) feature. This technology uses the braking system to hold the vehicle on a gradient and prevent it from rolling. HLA maintains pressure to the braking system and provides a two and a half second delay when the driver moves their foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. The HLA feature avoids the need to go through an awkward sequence of events involving the handbrake to hold the vehicle momentarily whilst on a hill. Once sufficient engine torque is reached, the HLA automatically releases the brake system in a controlled manner.
