Designed to be the most stylish and safest Transit ever, the all-new Transit Custom van will be available in two models, the short-wheelbase 290S and the long-wheelbase 330L, both with one of the most fuel-efficient 2.2-litre diesel engines in its class.
Among the many key safety features in the all-new Ford Transit Custom van are standard side thorax and curtain airbags – complementing the driver and front passenger airbags.
Practicality is a strong point with the all-new Transit Custom van, with new standard integrated roof racks that fold flat when not in use, a glazed full-steel bulkhead featuring a load-through facility and load area protection kit.
Critical to any work vehicle is functionality. The Transit Custom 290S has a maximum load space of 5.95m3 while the 330L has 6.83m3 available for heavy duty work. The 290S has a maximum load length of 2555 mm and the 330L has a maximum load length of 2922 mm.
Setting a high standard for fuel efficiency, load-space, technology and safety, it is not surprising that the all-new Transit Custom van has been awarded the prestigious 2013 International Van of the Year award in Europe against formidable competition.
Visually, the all-new Transit Custom has a bold new look and is packed with the latest safety technologies as part of its mission to appeal to a broader range of customers, including skilled tradesmen and small businesses.
While it provides a more car-like interior and driving experience, the new model has lost none of Transit’s legendary toughness, impressive load-carrying ability or impressive fuel efficiency.
The Transit Custom is be sold in more than 90 markets worldwide.
Bold new appearance, strong driver appeal
The new Transit Custom features a bold new exterior which embodies the same dynamic character as Ford’s latest passenger cars.
The new model offers class-competitive load carrying ability, including a number of innovative new load-space features, such as a unique integrated roof rack system and an ingenious load-through hatch in the bulkhead for extra-long items.
In the cab, there is a modern, driver-focused cockpit that features a sculpted instrument panel, which combines stylish looks with smart stowage solutions for bottles, phones and papers. A fold-down centre armrest doubles as a handy writing platform when the middle seat is not in use.
Once behind the wheel, the driver can call upon a wide range of driver assistance technologies shared with Ford’s latest passenger cars, including the Ford SYNC voice-activated, in-car connectivity system with the award-winning Emergency Assistance feature, which is a first in the light commercial arena.
The strong driver appeal of the Transit Custom van is reinforced by dynamics and performance which have been carefully tuned to reflect the same natural and easy-to-drive character that customers appreciate on Ford’s car range, together with much reduced noise levels.
Exceptional details and craftsmanship
Throughout the vehicle, Ford designers and craftsmanship specialists have worked together to ensure that the new Transit Custom not only looks stylish and modern, but that it delivers a superbly crafted finish, too.
The attention to design details can be seen in every element of the vehicle, from the chamfered corners on the top and bottom of the windscreen, to the precise execution of the lower body sides and rocker panels.
Many long-time Transit customers will recognise the signature “shark’s fin” kick-up in the front window line, which is echoed in the rear body panel. Ford designers also went to great lengths to minimise the number of shutlines on the vehicle, for a cleaner and more contemporary look.
The superior craftsmanship has been delivered by an intense focus on the fit and finish quality of every exterior component. This is reflected in car-like joint conditions throughout the body, with tighter shutlines, sharper radii and better panel alignment, such as where the front bumper facia meets the front mudguard sheet metal.
Safety and driver assistance
Customers will not only appreciate the all-new Transit Custom’s inherent practicality but it also provides high levels of protection and driver support through a range of advanced features.
The Transit van is not only contemporary but the body structure is made up of high-strength steel and ultra-high-strength steel, such as boron steel, which has been used for the first time on a Transit.
An enhanced restraint system now makes side thorax and curtain airbags standard for the front seat occupants, as well as driver and front passenger airbags. The Transit Custom has been developed with the latest Euro NCAP Protocol for pedestrian protection in mind and as a result the Transit Custom has been awarded a 5-star crash safety rating by Euro NCAP.
To take the stress out of driving, the Ford Transit Custom delivers an array of driver-assist systems. Hill Launch Assist is standard and helps drivers make a perfect hill start whether it’s uphill or downhill, by holding the van for up to three seconds. This prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards or forwards while moving off from the slope, increasing driver confidence.
As well as Hill Launch Assist, the all-new Transit Custom comes with Cruise Control with an Adjustable Speed Limiting Device.
Advanced safety technologies such as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), also help customers remain in control at all times, especially on slippery roads. When it detects that the car is losing control, it automatically reduces engine power and selectively brakes individual wheels to stabilise the vehicle and keep it travelling on track.
The Ford Transit Custom’s DSC system includes the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) which prevents the wheels from locking up and helps the vehicle to stop quickly on slippery road surfaces. Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) round out a full suite of passive safety features.
In addition to these features, the Transit Custom gains Trailer Sway Control, Roll Over Mitigation, Load Adaptive Control and Torque Vectoring Control.
