Truckworld

The ever-popular Ford Transit range has received a raft of significant changes, adding to overall functionality and versatility of the 2007 International Van of the Year.

Key enhancements include increased safety specification and the introduction of a new model with a massive new gross vehicle mass.

In a first for Transit, from March 1 all new arrivals will be fitted with a four-wheel anti-lock braking system with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) as standard. ABS was previously only standard on rear-wheel drive models.

Other new safety enhancements include front seat passenger airbag as standard on Transit Bus and a load area protection kit standard on all short, mid and long wheelbase vans.

Dynamic Stability Control, once limited to the domain of passenger vehicles, is also available across the entire bus, cab-chassis and van range, as are front side airbags.

"Transit was voted International Van of the Year 2007 and the changes announced today will further enhance the appeal and practicality of the popular 12 model range," said Vice President Marketing and Sales, Mark Winslow.

"We have enhanced Transit's safety story and also improved the load carrying ability of our biggest vans. The new dual rear-wheel jumbo van is a behemoth that literally swallows a phenomenal amount of cargo."
The king-size new model is a rear-wheel drive long-wheel base jumbo van with dual rear-wheels and a huge gross vehicle mass of 4490kg, delivering a gross combination mass of 6.5-tonnes and a braked towing capacity of 3.0-tonnes.

It is powered by the proven 2.4-litre Duratorq TDCi engine, which develops 103kW @ 3500rpm and 375Nm @ 2000rpm and comes with DSC and traction control as standard.

In another upgrade to the range, the gross vehicle mass of the single and dual cab-chassis extended frame models has been increased 240kg to 4490kg. Both models also receive DSC and traction control as standard.

All of the favourite attributes associated with Transit, including its car-like interior, excellent functionality and all round drivability, remain evident in every model in the line-up.

"Commercial drivers often spend more hours in their vehicles than car drivers and Ford wanted to ensure they are equally well catered for," said Mr Winslow.

"The high ergonomic standards not only concern the driver’s seat and the position of steering wheel and gear lever but also include the excellent visibility via the large windows and the well positioned rear view mirrors."

Depending on model selected, additional features such as cruise control, reverse parking sensors, passenger airbag, DSC and traction control are available as options in the Professional Pack.

"Operating a light commercial vehicle no longer needs to be a compromise compared with driving a passenger vehicle," said Mr Winslow.

"Transit offers a wide range of feature laden, competitively priced bus, cab-chassis and van derivatives. There is quite literally a model for all requirements, be it an urban delivery vehicle requiring a low roof to get in and out of car-park buildings or something bigger to carry a load and a crew."

Options: 'Professional Pack' and Side Airbags

The contents and price of the Professional Pack depends on the model selected and the level of specification already offered by that particular model.

* All prices exclude dealer delivery and statutory charges