Ford’s all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is now available on the 15-seat Transit minibus.

The system automatically provides torque flow to the front wheels when traction loss at the rear is detected. It costs an additional £3,995.

The AWD helps fleets which frequently tackle low friction surfaces and bad weather conditions and is available with the 2.4-litre 140bhp Duratorq TDCi diesel engine with a six-speed manual transmission.

The system is available on the rear-wheel-drive chassis-cab, 15-seat minibus and the Transit panel van range including double-cab-in-van.

Low, medium or high roof and short, medium or long wheelbase derivatives are available.

Ford of Britain commercial vehicles director, Steve Kimber, said: “We’ve had tremendous interest in AWD from construction, roadside assistance and utility companies.

"On top of that we know that taxi companies and schools may also benefit from extra traction in many everyday situations.

“Being automatic in its operation means that no special training or driving techniques are required.”

The AWD system is a mechanical arrangement which operates automatically so that the driver is not distracted by any manual input. In slippery conditions the system provides drive to the front wheels to increase traction and inhibit wheelspin from the rear.