The new two-tonne Transit will be priced from £20,795, and is available to order now.

The model, for which deliveries begin in 2014, is part of a 24-month renewal of Ford's entire commercial vehicle range for Europe, and comes to market alongside International Van of the Year winners for 2013 and 2014, the Ford Transit Custom (one-tonne model) and Ford Transit Connect, with the Ford Transit Courier also to be launched next year.

Ford claims the new van offers customers significantly reduced maintenance and repair costs, more durability, increased cargo volumes, and smart loadspace features, as well as increased fuel efficiency with the extended choice of Transit ECOnetic models.

"Ford's flagship Transit model is once again setting the standard in its class by cutting running costs, shifting bigger loads and pioneering valuable new technologies," said Paul Randle, vehicle line director for global commercial vehicles at Ford of Europe.

"All this together with a vast choice of model options and of course legendary Transit toughness."

The Transit ECOnetic models deliver CO2 emissions from 169g/km (with 62mph fixed speed limiter), equivalent to combined fuel consumption from 44.1mpg.

The standard Ford Transit powertrain features the Dagenham-built 2.2-litre Duratorq diesel engine with a choice of three power ratings (100PS, 125PS, 155PS) and a 6-speed manual transmission; customers also have the option of 125PS and 155PS HDT6 engines which meet the Euro 6 standard.

Available in front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions, the all-new Ford Transit also offers extended 2-year/30,000 miles service intervals, with the time required for scheduled maintenance over 90,000 miles cut from 5.4 to 4.2 hours over the outgoing model.

Ford analysis of a basket of 23 repair items shows that the new model is class-leading for non-scheduled maintenance times; for example, the labour required for a rear brake disc repair has been cut from 2.6 to 1.3 hours. Expensive fuelling errors are avoided by the unique, standard-fit, Ford Easy Fuel system.

The van also includes technology innovations from the firm's car range, including Sync connectivity, cruise control, lane keeping alert, rear view cameras and hill start assist.

Model-for-model, load volume has been increased by around 10 per cent compared to the outgoing Transit. The L2 model is now capable of carrying four europallets and carry 3.0m length items along the floor.

Vans are available in three different lengths and two different roof heights with multiple GVM options of up to 4.7 tonnes. Further Transit variants include Double Cab-in-Van (DCiV) models, plus Chassis Cab and Double Chassis Cab versions. A new Chassis Cab L5 derivative accommodates 5.0m floats or box bodies, and Transit people movers include the M2 Bus range with seating for up to 18 people.

Author: Fleet News