Ford has officially launched the new Transit Van 350 long wheelbase (LWB) in South Africa at a starting price of R1 million.
The new Transit is the latest vehicle in the Blue Oval’s stable to breach the seven-figure mark, placing alongside the brand’s range-topping SUVs and bakkies.
The new Ford’s launch comes only days after the introduction of the new VW Crafter, giving businesses two reliable new vehicles to add to their commercial fleets.
Its longer wheelbase also makes it a more practical alternative to the flashier Ford Transit Custom Sport, which made its debut in late February.
Every Ford Transit is sold with a 4-year/120,000km warranty, with the option of a six-year/90,000km service plan.
Specifications
The new van is powered by Ford’s familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine, which produces a total of 121kW and 390Nm.
This connects to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which sends power down to all four wheels.
It also comes with four driving modes comprising Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul, and Slipper, and an Adblue auxiliary tank that converts the nitrogen oxide emissions from the diesel engine’s exhaust into nitrogen and water, thereby significantly reducing the vehicle’s environmental footprint.
As per its LWB designation, the Transit is 5,981mm long with a wheelbase measuring 3,750mm.
It is also 2,474mm wide with a cargo floor length of 3,200mm, which means the storage area is spacious enough to accommodate up to four Euro pallets.
Users can access the back via a pair of barn doors that can open by up to 180 degrees, or through the side loading doors.
Smaller items can be secured using built-in tie hooks, and the cargo hold has built-in lighting to improve visibility for late-night and early-morning shift workers.
The total storage space clocks in at 13 cubic metres, and the van itself is certified to carry up to 1,325kg.
If that’s not enough, operators can also tow a trailer with an additional 2,800kg-worth of goods.
As for its equipment sheet, the Transit has a few creature comforts that go beyond what you’d find on a basic workhorse.
The light commercial vehicle is fitted with an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch infotainment screen running the brand’s latest Sync4 operating system, which enables voice commands and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
The van also supports the FordPass smartphone app, letting users remotely start the engine, perform vehicle health checks, and use a locator function.
Other features include keyless entry and start, 12V sockets, USB ports, cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring, electronic stability control, traction control, hill assist, rollover mitigation, ABS, and emergency brake assist.
Buyers can also pick up the Driver Assistance package, which adds collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, braking assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera.
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