It is, perhaps, a bad time to be launching the new LPG-powered Transit Connect with the Government currently reviewing the present favourable duty rate on gas, thus putting the whole future of the fuel in jeopardy. But Shackleton, the brains behind the engineering of the new model, remains resolutely upbeat.
As the first of the new gas-powered Connects begin arriving in this country from the production line in Turkey, Shackleton said in an exclusive interview: 'The Government may revise its fuel duty in a small way but I don't believe it will destroy the market it has purposely created.
'By setting up the PowerShift grant system to help fund the extra cost of buying clean fuel vehicles, the Government is in effect buying clean air and I believe this policy will continue.'
Ford originally entered the LPG market four years ago using outside suppliers but was not wholly satisfied with the result and withdrew again. Then with new PowerShift grants available and a satisfactory refuelling infrastructure in place, Ford decided to step back into the fray, this time using its own technology.
Shackleton said: 'We wanted to sign everything off to our own standards – something we couldn't do by using an aftermarket converter. It is not just a question of bolting on a new fuel system – there are many other differences between a petrol engine and an LPG one.'
Shackleton is scathing in his remarks about some aftermarket LPG converters. He said: 'Many engine revisions are required for LPG operation, including a secondary fuel system, hardened valve train and spark plugs and a new manifold system. Many of the people who chose an aftermarket conversion will find they will have engine problems after about 30,000 miles.'
Needless to say, the new LPG Connect comes with Ford's three year/100,000 mile warranty.
The van features Ford's 1.8-litre Zetec petrol unit, offering 113 bhp and 116lb/ft of torque. It can be ordered in short and long wheelbase formats and costs from £10,122 ex-VAT on- the-road. Prices for diesel models start at £10,082.
Ford has invested millions of pounds in LPG technology and Shackleton believes it has achieved top grade results.
'All our LPG models reach band four standards, which qualifies them for the maximum 70% PowerShift grant,' he said. 'If they didn't, we wouldn't have launched them in the first place.'
The vans will also be exempt from Ken Livingstone's £5 a day London congestion charge.
Ford intends to bring in 3,000 LPG models a year and already many of the first batch have been sold, mainly to fleet customers.
Shackleton said: 'Despite fears for the future of duty on LPG, I remain confident. There is no sign of our buyers holding off until the Government makes a decision and I would not recommend them to do so.'
Behind the wheel
Ford's publicity models may have 'C exempt' slogans emblazoned all over them, but the production LPG Transit Connects have little to set them apart from their conventionally-powered brothers.
The 59-litre LPG tank is housed under the rear wheels where the spare would normally sit and the spare wheel is bolted on in the rear of the loadbay. The only difference in the cab is a small switch near the gearlever which is flicked one way for petrol power and the other for LPG.
Firing up in the morning, the engine will automatically use petrol power for the first couple of minutes and will gradually switch over to LPG. The driver won't notice a thing.
The fuel gauge has been cleverly adapted so that it will read for either petrol or LPG, depending on which fuel has been selected. It beats the old-fashioned systems which used to feature a little row of red and green lights and were not very accurate. These differences apart, the Transit Connect is very much the award-winning van it always has been – the well-deserved winner of the Fleet News van of the year title for commercial vehicles under 2.1-tonnes this year.
The Connect officially stands against the likes of the Renault Kangoo, Citroen Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo, but put the four side-by-side and it's obvious that this van is a much bigger, tougher proposition. It is also available in long wheelbase, high roof format, whereas the other three are not.
Climbing aboard, the first thing you notice is the beautifully supportive driver's seat, which not only adjusts every which way but has adjustable lumbar support and an armrest.
The dashboard is solid, chunky and businesslike with no pretension at style and the centre part will hold an A4 clipboard, as will the glovebox. There is also a document rack over the driver's head and a small pocket on the front of the driver's seat. With curry hook and space for a mobile phone, it is clear that a great deal of thought has gone into driver comfort and convenience. There are can and coffee cup holders but no special space for white van man's precious two-litre cola bottle.
The thoughtful touches carry on in the rear, where Ford has provided a 12-volt powerpoint near the rear doors as well as in the cab. And there are a number of drilled holes in the sides of the van which can be used for racking systems. Alternatively, the six load-lashing eyes in the floor can be unscrewed by hand and positioned in these holes. Damned clever stuff - simple but very effective.
This was the first time in a petrol-powered Connect – a short wheelbase version – for me and the powerplant sounded strangely muted after the usual diesel rumble. But the 113bhp unit had ample power to pull the van along and progress was sure and smooth. The clutch was light, power steering nicely weighted and the gearchange must be one of the slickest of any van on the road.
Driving verdict
Standing head and shoulders above the opposition, the Connect LPG must be a front-runner for any fleet wishing to go green and dodge Ken Livingstone's London congestion charge.
Engine (cc): 1.8-litre petrol/LPG
Power (bhp/rpm): 113/5,500
Torque (lb-ft/rpm): 116/4,400
Load volume (cu m): 3.4–4.4
Gross weight (kg): 2,025–2,035
Payload (kg): 625–900
Price (OTR): £10,122–£10,822 (ex-VAT)
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