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By
EWAN KENNEDY
11 September 2006
Ford Australia has announced details of
local versions of the new Transit van. Fascinatingly, it comes in two
quite different variants, one with a transverse (east-west) engine and
front-wheel drive. The other with a longitudinal (north-south) engine
and rear-wheel drive.
The reason is simple according to Ford. Buyers wanting a small
to mid-size vehicle with a relatively large volume for inner-city
use will go for the front-driver. Whereas the rear-drive variant
is more of a scaled-down large truck and aimed at heavier duty
use.
We don’t normally talk about styling early in our report of a
new commercial vehicle, but the designers have really excelled
themselves with the new Transit range. Taking the point of view
that vans don’t have to be boring they have come up with a
strong frontal shape featuring large vertical lights flanking a
bold grille.
Even the rear ends have plenty of pizzazz in their shape, with
style lines that work nicely. Instead of being typically boring
white vans with a minimum of sign writing, we can see companies
getting artists to come up with something special to show off the
operator’s products.
Ford Australia is importing the new Transit in no fewer than 10
colours to give the aforementioned artists a strong starting point
for their creations.
A clever feature is a built-in step in the front bumper. This
makes it easier to reach the top of the windscreen when you need
to clean it, and also gives better access to the engine bay.
The Transit's cabin, too, sees a practical change of design
direction. The gearlever has been moved to the dashboard to give
an uncluttered floor that provides virtually a ‘walk-through’
facility.
The front-wheel-drive Transit variants are offered in short- or
medium-wheelbase format, use a low roof and are powered by a
2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine with 285 Newton metres and 81
kilowatts. Power is transferred to the front wheels through a
five-speed manual gearbox.
Rear-drive Transit is sold with short, medium and long
wheelbases and has a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel powerplant, this time
with peak torque and power of 375 Nm and 103 kW. As befits its
more truck-like makeup, the Transit RWD model has a six-speed
manual gearbox.
Both diesel powerplants are modern units with common-rail
direct-injection for maximum fuel efficiency.
Those with a preference for the smoother, quieter running
offered by a petrol engine can opt for a 2.3-litre unit with 206
Nm and 104 kW. Only sold in the RWD Transit, it has a five-speed
manual. The petrol isn’t on sale now, but will arrive early in
2007.
The petrol engine is LPG compatible, a useful asset in this era
of high petrol prices.
On the body front, there's a cab-chassis variant with a
long-wheelbase to which a variety of bodies can be attached. It’s
not specified with a petrol engine. It’s sold as either a
single-cab, or as a dual-cab with no fewer than four passenger
seats in the rear, turning the Transit into a useful seven-seater.
The dual-cab has an extended frame to give it a larger potential
volume.
All Transits will be imported with four-wheel disc brakes and
ABS units are fitted to all the rear-drive variants, including the
cab-chassis.
Air conditioning is standard in all models, as is a driver’s
airbag. Reverse parking sensors are an extra cost option on all
van variants.
Ford's new Transit is an impressive update of a vehicle that
has just celebrated its 40th anniversary. It’s hard to see it
being anything other than a sales success amongst light-commercial
operators – and these guys are amongst the toughest of all to
convince.
The new Ford Transit range, with prices (excluding on-road
costs) is:
Front Wheel Drive Short Wheelbase Van 2.2-litre turbo diesel:
$32,990
Front Wheel Drive Medium Wheelbase Van 2.2-litre turbo diesel:
$34,490
Rear Wheel Drive Short Wheelbase Van 2.3-litre petrol: $33,990
Rear Wheel Drive Short Wheelbase Van 2.4-litre turbo diesel:
$36,990
Rear Wheel Drive Medium Wheelbase Van 2.3-litre petrol: $35,990
Rear Wheel Drive Medium Wheelbase Van 2.4-litre turbo diesel:
$38,990
Rear Wheel Drive Long Wheelbase Van 2.3-litre petrol: $37,490
Rear Wheel Drive Long Wheelbase Van 2.4-litre turbo diesel:
$40,490
Rear Wheel Drive Long Wheelbase Single Cab Chassis 2.4-litre turbo
diesel: $36,790
Rear Wheel Drive Long Wheelbase Crew Cab Chassis 2.4-litre turbo
diesel: $40,490
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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