1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186 
FORD SHOWCASE
Page 62
Page 63
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A recent event at Prodriveis Warwickshire test track allowed Ford to present a number of additions to its range of light commercials — including a 130mph projectile. Dave Young reports.
Ei'Efrioffl 280 SWB Co
What every other European manufacturer calls a combi but Ford confusingly terms a low-roof double-incab van' is pitched directly against the VW Transporter, Mercedes Vito and Citroen's new Dispatch in this specialist section of the market.
The five-seat FWD (tested by CM back in 12 October 2006) came with a full bulkhead to separate the cargo area (and cut noise) along with the GLX trim pack including metallic paint, alloys, heated windscreen and steeringcolumn radio controls among a host of extrasbringing the total price up to a hefty £18,650 (ex-VAT).
In reality most commercial users will probably opt for the more Spartan base model at £16,500 (ex-VAT) with twin rear barn and nearside loading doors, FBS/ABS and disc brakes all round as standard, this is a very flexible package.
The PSA-derived, Euro-4, commonrail, 2.2-litre. Tpci 130PS Duratorq turbo-diesel isWell matched to the fascia-mountedfive-speed gearshift
and proves smooth and responsive to drive. While CM retains some reservations about the extent and location of interior storage space and the frankly ugly exterior styling, there's no doubt this package offers long-term buyers a reasonably priced, familiar van; not market-leading but unlikely to let them down and backed by a vast dealer network with relatively cheap spare parts.
Certainly the most eye-catching vehicle Ford unveiled was the Transit Connect X-press — a `van capable of whisking an ashen-faced driver to 210km/h (130mph) in just 27 seconds. In reality this is a highperformance Focus RS in Postman Pat uniform and intended to be a crowd-pleasing one-off for the publicity circuit.
As a consolation,buyers seeking a sporty image, practicality and fun can opt for the Fiesta Sport van,which is already in production with 200 sold in January alone —after no publicity.
Almost as extreme as the X-press but with a footprint more akin to a four-axle rigid's is the ultra-long VIPTransit XXL— two Transit Torneo people-carriers joined to form the ultimate stretched limo. Made to celebrate Transit's status as the International Van of the Year 2007,this 7.4m-long four-sliding-door bus on a 5.9m wheelbase is, unsurprisingly,a one-off.
More practically, Ford also presented a Ford Ranger 4x4 tipper, a MWB crewcab Transit one-stop-shop tipper, a Transit combi and a number of Bosch ESP-equipped panel vans. • UnceR Connect -pr With left-hand drive, 18in OZ alloys and nothing in the loadspace except two spare wheels and a roll cage, this is no ordinary van. Easily capable of 0-95km/h (60mph) in less than seven seconds and a scat-wetting 210krn/h (130mph) top speed, the X-press follows an illustrious tradition of Ford specials, including the legendary pair of Cosworth-powered Transit Supervans of the 1980s.
This boy's toy boasts a 215PS,16-valve Duratec engine—it says much for the stability of the Connect's chassis engineering that it easily rose to the challenge of racing-style cornering.
Once ensconced in the leather bucket seat. the driver finds that everything about driving the X-press is extraordinary. No block shifts for this 1.6 race-tuned petrol engine; no lugging down. Instead it's racing lines through the corners, left foot hard on the brake, right foot equally firmly on the throttle and feel the acceleration catapult you up the straight.
Take any other van into a bend at these speeds and you'll end up on your roof.
For obvious reasons Ford wasn't going to let CM out on the road in the X-press. but we did try the Fiesta Sport van. Cleverly targeted at retail buyers such as young self-employed people for whom image is as important as function, the van has already been sold to IT installers and surveyors. Although unquestionably a CV for tax purposes,a 1.6 Duratorq TDCi diesel makes this Ford a delight to drive. The Fiesta hatchback's chassis pan has always handled well and a combination of 16in alloys and stiffer van suspension makes the Sport even better. Quick, smooth and with 89hp to push a 500kg payload, it has an excellent power-to-weight ratio.
Ford has added all the bells and whistles likely to appeal to a youthful buyer—sporty front seats,ABS/EBD, exterior body kit, immobiliser and airbags — for a competitive £9,995 (ex-VAT). Our test example had the optional technology pack: air-con and voicecontrolled Bluetooth, electric windows and mirrors and an upper mesh bulkhead. At £700 it seemed well worth the additional cost.
mcd RIVE anwesElki
These two specialists are likely to be evaluated in more detail as part of CM:s annual tipper test later this year.
The Ranger 4x4 tipping pickup and a new Transit 350 (MWB) crewcab tipper (offering more loadspace than the previous version) should appeal to utilities and infrastructure maintenance firms These one-stop-shop, built-for-stock tippers have a number of technical safety and strength-related improvements; both models feature three-year/100,000-mile warranties which also cover the bodies.
The MWB Transit crewcab offers a 1,090kg payload and retails at £21,900 (ex-VAT) .The Ranger provides 9(X)kg of high-groundclearance payload and costs £16,885 (ex-VAT).