New Ford Transit and Transit Custom offer lower costs and more performance with advanced new Ford EcoBlue engine

• New #ford #transit and #transit #custom commercial vehicles debut all-new #ford #ecoblue diesel engine, delivering significant cost of ownership and performance improvements
• Downsized 2.0-litre #ford #ecoblue improves fuel efficiency by up to 13 per cent,* delivers more torque at low rpm, and offers up to 2-year/60,000 km variable service intervals
• Advanced diesel engineered for renowned #transit reliability, with equivalent of 5.5 million km durability testing; achieves ultra-low Euro Stage VI emissions targets
• New driver assistance technologies include Side Wind Stabilisation and Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection. Six-speed automatic gearbox available late 2016
• New #ford #transit and #transit #custom models available to order now for delivery in mid-2016

MUNICH, Germany, May 30, 2016 – Ford’s new #transit and #transit #custom commercial vehicles powered by the all-new, state-of-the-art 2.0-litre #ford #ecoblue diesel engine will offer improved cost of ownership and performance for customers from mid-2016.

New from the ground up, the next-generation #ford #ecoblue engine enhances fuel efficiency by up to 13 per cent compared with the outgoing 2.2-litre TDCi engine, with CO2 emissions from 157 g/km,* and delivers significant improvements in low-rpm torque for enhanced driveability. The new engine – available to order now – also will deliver up to 2-year/60,000 km (37,000 mile) variable service intervals for #transit and #transit #custom operators.

The all-new downsized 2.0-litre #ford #ecoblue diesel engine has been engineered to meet Ford’s rigorous commercial vehicle durability standards, powering #transit vehicles through the equivalent of 5.5 million km (3.4 million miles) of punishing durability testing, including 400,000 km (250,000 miles) of testing at the hands of real-world #transit customers.

“The challenge was to take our best-selling #transit and make it cheaper to operate, improve performance, cleaner in terms of emissions, quieter in the cabin, safer and even more durable,” said Pete Reyes, #ford of Europe’s head of commercial vehicles. “That’s exactly what we did with the new #transit and #transit #custom with the all-new #ford #ecoblue engine.”

Clean diesel technologies enable ultra-low emissions in line with stringent Euro Stage VI standards that will be introduced in September 2016, requiring a 55 per cent reduction in NOx emissions compared to Euro Stage V standards.

In addition to the all-new engine line-up, #transit and #transit #custom vehicles also are available to order now with advanced driver assistance technologies including Side Wind Stabilisation and Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection. From late 2016, customers also will be able to specify a six‑speed automatic transmission in place of a manual gearbox, and a new rear air suspension option on #transit #custom Kombi models.

The two-tonne #transit and one-tonne #transit #custom vehicles are core models within Ford’s renewed #transit range, which also includes the smaller all-new #transit Connect and #transit Courier vans. The success of this expanded line-up helped #ford become Europe’s No.1 selling commercial vehicle brand in 2015 – for the first time in 19 years – with total sales of 280,000, a year-over-year increase of 23 per cent.

Growth has continued in the first four months of 2016, with combined #transit and #transit #custom sales in Europe of 66,700 vehicles, a rise of 18 per cent over the previous year.

Cleaner, more efficient and refined #ford #ecoblue diesel
The all-new 2.0-litre #ford #ecoblue diesel uses a completely new architecture engineered to provide the next-generation of clean, efficient and refined engines for future #ford cars and commercial vehicles.

The engine has been developed with the latest turbocharging, fuel injection, combustion system, structural design and low-friction technologies to deliver significant improvements in fuel efficiency, performance and operating refinement, while delivering the outstanding durability and low cost-of-ownership demanded for a #transit power unit.

For the #transit and #transit #custom models, the 2.0-litre #ford #ecoblue engine is offered in 105 PS, 130 PS and 170 PS power ratings, each of which offers increased power and torque compared to the outgoing 2.2-litre engine. Improved low-end pulling power – with 20 per cent more torque at 1,250 rpm – delivers more flexible and responsive performance in everyday driving.

Lower running costs are supported by significantly improved fuel efficiency. #transit models equipped with optional Auto-Start-Stop achieve CO2 emissions from 174 g/km and average fuel consumption from 6.6 l/100 km (42.8 mpg) – a 10 per cent reduction over the equivalent outgoing model.

Transit #custom vehicles fitted with optional Auto-Start-Stop deliver CO2 emissions from 157 g/km with average fuel consumption from 6.1 l/100 km (46.3 mpg) – 13 per cent down from the equivalent outgoing model.

Ford anticipates a fuel cost saving of up to €1,600 (£1,250) over 130,000 km (80,000 miles) for the operator of a new 105 PS #transit #custom van compared with the previous 100 PS model.***

Scheduled maintenance costs are also reduced, with the extended variable service intervals of up to two years/60,000 km (37,000 miles) offering up to an additional 10,000 km (6,000 miles) between services on both #transit and #transit #custom models.

To help achieve the stringent Euro Stage VI emissions standards, the 2.0-litre #ford #ecoblue diesel features an optimised combustion system with selective catalytic reduction exhaust gas after-treatment using AdBlue® (aqueous urea solution).

The new engine also improves driver comfort during long working days through major reductions in engine noise, with passenger-car levels of refinement. The class-leading driving dynamics of the #transit and #transit #custom have been enhanced through revised steering efforts for better feedback, and a new rear damper design for improved comfort and control.

Advanced driver assistance and vehicle technologies
In parallel with the all-new powertrain, new #transit and #transit #custom models also benefit from advanced new driver assistance and vehicle technologies to enhance confidence and comfort behind the wheel.

Using camera and radar technology shared with Ford’s latest passenger cars like the Mondeo and S-MAX, both #transit and #transit #custom customers can specify:

• Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection – reduces the severity of some frontal collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians, or help drivers avoid some impacts altogether
• Adaptive Cruise Control – uses forward-facing radar to enable drivers to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead
• Traffic Sign Recognition – provides drivers with the latest detected speed limit, cancellation signs and overtaking restrictions via the instrument cluster display

An upgraded Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, fitted to both new models as standard equipment, provides an enhanced suite of functions to improve vehicle stability in extreme driving situations including three Ford-patented features:

• Side Wind Stabilisation – a new system that applies the brakes on one side of the vehicle to reduce the effect of a sudden side wind gust on the vehicle’s path
• Curve Control – a unique Ford-developed program designed to slow the vehicle in a safe and stable manner when it enters a bend like a motorway exit ramp too quickly
• Roll Stability Control – designed to help prevent your vehicle rolling over by controlling both engine torque and individual wheel braking

Inside the cabin, #transit customers can now specify Ford’s SYNC 2 voice-activated connectivity system with a new high-resolution 6-inch colour touch screen, featuring advanced voice control of audio, navigation and mobile phones. On #transit #custom vehicles, a new 4‑inch colour display is standard on vehicles equipped with the SYNC connectivity system, in place of the previous 3.5-inch screen. From the outside, new #transit and #transit #custom models fitted with the all-new #ford 2.0-litre #ecoblue engine are identified by a new chrome finish strip in the lower front grille.

For improved comfort and convenience in urban driving, customers of #transit front-wheel drive derivatives and #transit #custom models will be able to specify a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission from late 2016. The transmission offers smooth, responsive and efficient performance in partnership with the #ford #ecoblue diesel, including Auto-Start-Stop where fitted, and also provides the option of manual shifting using buttons mounted on the gear lever.

The unique-to-segment rear air suspension system is developed specially for the #transit #custom and meets Ford’s full commercial vehicle durability standards. The air suspension system delivers a supple, controlled and level ride across a wide range of load conditions, providing improved passenger comfort and vehicle dynamics on Kombi M1 models.

The updated #transit and #transit #custom models offer commercial vehicle operators the same comprehensive line-up of vehicle variants including multiple roof height and wheelbase options, a wide choice of gross vehicle weights, and bodystyles with van, kombi and double-cab-in-van variants. #transit customers can further select from Front-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive and intelligent All-Wheel Drive derivatives, along with Chassis Cab and Minibus bodystyles.

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

* The declared Fuel/Energy Consumptions, CO2 emissions and electric range are measured according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EC) 692/2008 as last amended. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are specified for a vehicle variant and not for a single car. The applied standard test procedure enables comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers. In addition to the fuel efficiency of a car, driving behaviour as well as other non-technical factors play a role in determining a car's fuel/energy consumption, CO2 emissions and electric range. CO2 is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.

** #ford of Europe reports its sales for the 20 European main markets where it is represented through National Sales Companies.  The Euro 20 markets are: Austria, Belgium, Britain, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland.

*** Based on a fuel cost of approx. €1.36 (£1.10) per litre