Ford Transit road test Review: Mark Bursa
Ford Transit 280 MWB 2.2 TDI 110bhp low-roof
What is it?
Britain’s top-selling panel van – the Ford Transit – reaches its fourth incarnation, with major improvements in the cab and under the bonnet. Aggressive restyled body and a mind-boggling list of options complete the Ford Transit picture.
What’s hot?
- A range of excellent new common-rail diesel engines
- Bags of torque where you need it – at low revs
- Transit v4.0 has much-improved road presence…
- …especially in the rear-view mirror of the car you’re following!
- Massive improvement in interior functionality
- Cab has extra power sockets to run laptops and other electronic devices…
- …making the cab a real mobile office. There’s great interior detail
- Fold-out work top in the dash, slots for mobiles (driver and passenger)
- Plus a glove box that doubles as a filing cabinet for A4 hanging files
- New steering means greater manoeuvrability, especially around town
- Body is boxier than before
- Big sliding side doors give superb load access
- Simplified trim system for easier choice: Base, Trend and Limited
- But three wheelbases and three roof heights allow customisation
What’s not?
- Diesel engines could be better soundproofed –especially when unladen
- The van we tested didn’t have the full steel bulkhead, a no-cost option…
- …which cuts noise levels significantly
- Ride is rather bumpy unladen, though Transit settles down with a load
- Unlike Renault or Fiat/PSA vans, big versions still have rear-wheel drive…
- … which means a higher loading floor
- Useful options mount up: air con (£500); Bluetooth (£200)
What you need to Know
| P11D Value: | £15,600 |
| Monthly Rental: * | £359 |
| What will it be worth: ** | £n/a |
| GVW: | 2,800kg |
| Payload: | 1,076kg |
| Loadspace Volume: | 6.45 cubic metres |
| Basic Loadspace Dimensions: | 2,949mm long x 1,762mm wide x 1,430mm high |
| Engine: | 2.2 turbo diesel, front-wheel drive |
| CO2 Emissions: | n/a |
| Power/torque: | 110PS/285Nm |
| Economy: | n/a |
*Monthly commercial vehicle rental courtesy of the Van Unit at Lombard Vehicle Management. Based on 36 months/60,000-mile contract hire agreement with maintenance contract.
**Trade value of van if purchased after three years and 60,000 miles. (Powered by Deltapoint)
Business Van Manager Road Test Rating
Ford Transit Mk4 has some real improvements over the previous model. But is it the class of the field? In some respects, yes – especially the cab features. Ford has put a lot of thought into making the cab a practical ‘mobile office’. The load area is better, too, with excellent all-round access. Diesel engine is excellent too, if a little noisy. But it falls short on refinement and ride, which are harsh compared to rivals. But a massive range of options – and handsome looks – make the Tranny hard to beat.
Also Consider
Renault Trafic Panel Van SL27dCi 90
