Ford Transit Connect
Ford’s new Transit Connect is a rebadged version of Volkswagen’s latest Caddy. Te Connect is sold as a diesel and as a petrol plug-in hybrid, and you can order it with all- wheel-drive. You also get the choice of either short or long-wheelbase. Te former comes with a 3.1m3
load area, the latter offers 3.7m3 Te Connect’s 2.0-litre diesel is on offer
at 102hp with a six-speed manual gearbox. Te 122hp version listed as the alternative is up for grabs with the same box if you opt for all-wheel-drive, or with a seven-speed dual- clutch automatic transmission if you remain with front-wheel-drive. Te 1.5-litre 150hp plug-in hybrid is automatic only.
Sample model: Ford Transit Connect SWB Limited
Engine size 2.0l Payload 737kg Load volume 3.1m3 Combined mpg 50.1 miles CO2 147g/km Price (ex VAT) £27,000
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Specifications are either Trend or Limited, but mention should also be made of the Active FlexCab; an impressively-flexible crew cab. With a clever moveable bulkhead, it allows you to switch between one and two rows of seats easily depending on how much cargo you want to carry. We got to grips with a short-wheelbase 122hp diesel van equipped with the automatic box and in Limited trim; and we
were mightily impressed by its on-the-road get-up-and-go. Acceleration is strong and with 320Nm
of torque to play with the engine just keeps on giving. Te Connect handles well and delivers a firm, but comfortable ride. In-cab noise levels are too high though, with the engine the biggest culprit. Access to the load bay is by means of twin rear doors plus a sliding nearside door.
Ford Transit Courier
While the Ford Transit Connect is also available badged as a Volkswagen Caddy, there is no equivalent for its little brother the Transit Courier, which is up for grabs in diesel, petrol and electric iterations. Te front-wheel-drive Courier’s 1.0l
three-cylinder turbo EcoBoost petrol engine is available at either 100hp or 125p. A 100hp 1.5l EcoBlue diesel turbo is on offer as an alternative, while the electric variant comes with a 100kW electric motor.
A six-speed manual gearbox is standard
on internal combustion models, with the petrol model also available with a new seven-speed dual clutch automated transmission. Four different specification levels are listed – Leader, Trend, Limited and Active.
Rear access to the 2.9m3 cargo area is
provided by asymmetric twin doors plus a sliding nearside door and the cab is protected from the load space by a full-
height steel bulkhead. Gross payload is 672kg, but a kit is available with dual-rate springs that allows you to boost it to 839kg. In the cabin, an 8in touchscreen
dominates the Courier’s dashboard and all the controls are easy to find and use. Safety systems include ABS, Electronic Stability Control and Roll Stability Control, Traction Control and Hill Launch Assist, Lane Keeping System, Cruise Control, Wrong Way Alert (stops you going the wrong way down a motorway) and Intersection Assist. Te Courier’s manual gearbox features
Ford’s usual high-quality gearchange steering is crisp and the smallest van in Ford’s line-up is highly manoeuvrable.
Sample model: Transit Courier Leader 1.5 Ecoblue diesel
Engine size 1.5l Payload 672kg Load volume 2.9m3 Combined mpg 55.3 miles CO2 137g/km Price (ex VAT) £17,450
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