Excess mileage charges apply. Full Maintenance & Tyre quotes available on request
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Disclaimer: The Standard Equipment, Colour and Trim, Options and Technical Data shown below is provided by a 3rd party. We therefore encourage you to check this information at the manufacturer's website before you place an order. E&OE.
| Easy fuel capless refuelling system | Driver Convenience |
| Embedded modem | Driver Convenience |
| PAS | Driver Convenience |
| Trip computer | Driver Convenience |
| Steering wheel mounted audio controls | Entertainment |
| 180 degree rear cargo doors | Exterior Features |
| Active grille shutter | Exterior Features |
| Body coloured plastic front bumper | Exterior Features |
| Body coloured rear bumper end caps | Exterior Features |
| Daytime running lights | Exterior Features |
| Driver one touch down power windows | Exterior Features |
| Electric windshield defroster | Exterior Features |
| Emergency brake light flashing | Exterior Features |
| High mounted stop lamp | Exterior Features |
| Hinged rear cargo door | Exterior Features |
| Instrument panel stowage box | Exterior Features |
| Intermittent variable windshield wiper | Exterior Features |
| Moulded colour 3 bar radiator grille | Exterior Features |
| Non infra red reflection windscreen | Exterior Features |
| Rear fog lights | Exterior Features |
| Rear tinted glass | Exterior Features |
| Self coloured exterior door handles | Exterior Features |
| Self coloured exterior mirror finish | Exterior Features |
| Self coloured lift/decklid handles | Exterior Features |
| Self coloured rear bumper | Exterior Features |
| Wide side protection mouldings | Exterior Features |
| 12V socket | Interior Features |
| 2 front cupholders | Interior Features |
| 2 way front headrestraints | Interior Features |
| 4 way manually adjustable driver seat with lumbar support | Interior Features |
| Black interior door handles | Interior Features |
| Capitol cloth upholstery | Interior Features |
| Centre console | Interior Features |
| Complete rear trim board | Interior Features |
| Configurable interior light | Interior Features |
| Deluxe steering wheel | Interior Features |
| Door trim panel level 2 | Interior Features |
| Driver seat rotary recliner | Interior Features |
| Driver sunvisor with mirror and ticket pocket | Interior Features |
| Front grab handles | Interior Features |
| Glovebox with lid | Interior Features |
| Header courtesy lights with 2 map lights | Interior Features |
| Low series analog cluster | Interior Features |
| Overhead storage compartment | Interior Features |
| Passenger seat rotary recliner | Interior Features |
| Passenger sunvisor | Interior Features |
| Pollen filter without carbon filter | Interior Features |
| Polyurethane gear shift knob | Interior Features |
| PVC door armrest | Interior Features |
| Reach and rake adjustable steering column | Interior Features |
| Rubber partial floor covering | Interior Features |
| Black seat belt | Passive Safety |
| Child proof rear door locks | Passive Safety |
| Driver airbag restraint | Passive Safety |
| Driver and passenger seatbelt reminder | Passive Safety |
| Enabled door auto relocking | Passive Safety |
| Front active seat belts | Passive Safety |
| Front seat belt adjuster | Passive Safety |
| Configurable Unlocking | Security |
| Door entry remote control unit | Security |
| Immobiliser | Security |
| Non locking wheel nuts | Security |
| Power door dead locks | Security |
| Remote central double locking | Security |
| ABS | Technical |
| Auto start/stop system | Technical |
| Emergency brake assist | Technical |
| Heavy duty battery | Technical |
| Hill start assist | Technical |
| Non limited slip differential front axle | Technical |
| Power 4-wheel disc | Technical |
| Standard duty alternator | Technical |
| Traction control | Technical |
| 16" mid series wheel cover | Wheels |
| 205/60 R16 tyre | Wheels |
| Standard tire tread | Wheels |
| Metallic - Agate black |
| Metallic - Chrome blue |
| Metallic - Magnetic |
| Metallic - Moondust silver |
| Metallic - Solar silver |
| Solid - Frozen white |
| Special solid - Blazer blue |
| Special solid - Race red |
| SVO metallic - Custom |
| SVO solid - Custom |
| Cost (exc VAT) | VAT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashtray | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Cigar lighter | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Driver seat with multi-way controls (fore/aft, recline, height and tilt) | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Driver's seat lumbar support | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Dual passenger seat with multi-way controls (fore/aft) | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Heated driver's seat | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Side and curtain airbags | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Driver seat with multi-way controls (fore/aft, recline, height and tilt) | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Driver's seat lumbar support | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Single passenger seat with multi-way controls (fore/aft and recline) | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| 12v Power Point | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Apple Carplay/Android Auto | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Microhpone with 6" TFT touch screen, diversity antenna and 4 speakers | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Rear view camera | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| SNYC 3 DAB radio with TMC and MP3 capability, AUX, USB and bluetooth connection for external music devices | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Voice control system | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| 12v Power Point | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Apple Carplay/Android Auto | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Ford navigation system | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Microhpone with 6" TFT touch screen, diversity antenna and 4 speakers | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Rear view camera | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| SNYC 3 DAB radio with TMC and MP3 capability, AUX, USB and bluetooth connection for external music devices | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Voice control system | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Ford DAB radio with MP3 capability, AUX, USB and bluetooth connection for external music devices | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Microhpone with 4.2" TFT touch screen, diversity antenna and 4 speakers | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Driver seat with multi-way controls (fore/aft, recline, height and tilt) | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Driver's seat lumbar support | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Dual passenger seat with multi-way controls (fore/aft) | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Driver seat with multi-way controls (fore/aft, recline, height and tilt) | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Driver's seat lumbar support | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Heated driver's seat | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Side and curtain airbags | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Single passenger heated seat with multi-way controls (fore/aft and recline) | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Kerbside side load doors | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Non slip phenolic floor | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Shelves with retainable boxes | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Air conditioning | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Speed control and ASLD | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| 2 remote keys | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Trailer tow wiring | £0.00 | £0.00 | |
| Registration Fee | On The Road | £55.00 | £0.00 |
| Delivery | On The Road | £496.37 | £99.27 |
| Active cruise control with intelligent speed assistance | Driver Convenience | £940.00 | £188.00 |
| Advanced automated parking system with side parking sensors, parallel/parpendicular parking, pull out assist, front and rear parking sensors | Driver Convenience | £550.00 | £110.00 |
| Blind spot detection 2 | Driver Convenience | £425.00 | £85.00 |
| Front parking aid | Driver Convenience | £400.00 | £80.00 |
| Lane keeping alert | Driver Convenience | £200.00 | £40.00 |
| Rear view camera with mirror display, reverse parking aid and electrochromic rear view mirror | Driver Convenience | £325.00 | £65.00 |
| Reverse parking sensor | Driver Convenience | £200.00 | £40.00 |
| Speed control and ASLD | Driver Convenience | £150.00 | £30.00 |
| Speed control with intelligent speed assist | Driver Convenience | £500.00 | £100.00 |
| Tyre pressure monitor | Driver Convenience | £100.00 | £20.00 |
| Wireless charging pad | Driver Convenience | £105.00 | £21.00 |
| Single CD player | Entertainment | £60.00 | £12.00 |
| Automatic headlamps with follow me home with automatic windshield wiper | Exterior Features | £55.00 | £11.00 |
| Detachable trailer coupling | Exterior Features | £400.00 | £80.00 |
| Dual power heated fold back mirrors | Exterior Features | £75.00 | £15.00 |
| Dual power heated mirrors | Exterior Features | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Dual side load doors | Exterior Features | £200.00 | £40.00 |
| Fixed 2nd row L/H side window | Exterior Features | £50.00 | £10.00 |
| Fixed rear window | Exterior Features | £100.00 | £20.00 |
| Front fog lights | Exterior Features | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Front fog lights with adaptive cornering | Exterior Features | £100.00 | £20.00 |
| Front splash guards/mud flaps with rear mud flaps | Exterior Features | £60.00 | £12.00 |
| Halogen headlamps | Exterior Features | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| High intensity discharge headlamps | Exterior Features | £615.00 | £123.00 |
| Kerbside side load doors | Exterior Features | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Large rear view mirror housing | Exterior Features | £40.00 | £8.00 |
| Metallic paint | Exterior Features | £630.00 | £126.00 |
| Molded load floor liner | Exterior Features | £50.00 | £10.00 |
| Rear window wash/wiper | Exterior Features | £75.00 | £15.00 |
| Roof rails | Exterior Features | £160.00 | £32.00 |
| Small rear view mirror housing | Exterior Features | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Solid paint | Exterior Features | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Special solid paint | Exterior Features | £150.00 | £30.00 |
| SVO Liftgate rear cargo door | Exterior Features | £200.00 | £40.00 |
| SVO metallic paint | Exterior Features | £1,150.00 | £230.00 |
| SVO solid paint | Exterior Features | £700.00 | £140.00 |
| Trailer tow attachements | Exterior Features | £450.00 | £90.00 |
| Dual zone electronic automatic temperature control | Interior Features | £800.00 | £160.00 |
| Front floor mats | Interior Features | £25.00 | £5.00 |
| Full steel bulkhead | Interior Features | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Full steel bulkhead load through hatch | Interior Features | £160.00 | £32.00 |
| Full steel bulkhead with fixed window | Interior Features | £30.00 | £6.00 |
| Full steel bulkhead with through load hatch and fixed window | Interior Features | £200.00 | £40.00 |
| LED load compartment light | Interior Features | £45.00 | £9.00 |
| Load compartment interior light | Interior Features | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Manual air conditioning | Interior Features | £600.00 | £120.00 |
| ICE pack 10 - Transit Connect | Packs | £650.00 | £130.00 |
| ICE pack 154 - Transit Connect | Packs | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| ICE pack 9 - Transit Connect | Packs | £1,110.00 | £222.00 |
| Key combination pack 2 - Transit Connect | Packs | £40.00 | £8.00 |
| Marketing CV pack 1 - Transit connect | Packs | £650.00 | £130.00 |
| Seat pack 18 - Transit Connect | Packs | £210.00 | £42.00 |
| Seat pack 20 - Transit Connect | Packs | £550.00 | £110.00 |
| Seat pack 4 - Transit Connect | Packs | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Seat pack 42 - Transit Connect | Packs | £600.00 | £120.00 |
| Smokers pack with astray - Master | Packs | £10.00 | £2.00 |
| SVO van pack 2 - Transit connect | Packs | £600.00 | £120.00 |
| Towing pre pack - Transit connect | Packs | £100.00 | £20.00 |
| Metallic - Agate black | Paintwork | £630.00 | £126.00 |
| Metallic - Chrome blue | Paintwork | £630.00 | £126.00 |
| Metallic - Magnetic | Paintwork | £630.00 | £126.00 |
| Metallic - Moondust silver | Paintwork | £630.00 | £126.00 |
| Metallic - Solar silver | Paintwork | £630.00 | £126.00 |
| Solid - Frozen white | Paintwork | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Special solid - Blazer blue | Paintwork | £150.00 | £30.00 |
| Special solid - Race red | Paintwork | £150.00 | £30.00 |
| SVO metallic - Custom | Paintwork | £1,150.00 | £230.00 |
| SVO solid - Custom | Paintwork | £700.00 | £140.00 |
| Passenger airbag restraint | Passive Safety | £190.00 | £38.00 |
| 1 remote key + 1 plain key | Security | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Ford MyKey | Security | £50.00 | £10.00 |
| Perimeter alarm | Security | £165.00 | £33.00 |
| Thatcham category 1 alarm with 2nd remote key | Security | £260.00 | £52.00 |
| 12V auxiliary IP power point | Technical | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| 12v rear auxiliary power point socket | Technical | £30.00 | £6.00 |
| 230V power convertor | Technical | £60.00 | £12.00 |
| 56MPH engine governor | Technical | £50.00 | £10.00 |
| 62MPH engine governor | Technical | £50.00 | £10.00 |
| 70MPH engine governor | Technical | £75.00 | £15.00 |
| Collision mitigation system 2 | Technical | £350.00 | £70.00 |
| ESC | Technical | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| ESP, RSC, wind mitigation | Technical | £45.00 | £9.00 |
| Capitol cloth - Ebony | Trim | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| 16" 6.5 7 spoke aluminium alloy wheels | Wheels | £400.00 | £80.00 |
| 16" 6.5 Steel road wheel | Wheels | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| All weather tyres | Wheels | £200.00 | £40.00 |
| Conventional steel spare wheel | Wheels | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Delete spare wheel with tyre inflation kit | Wheels | £-50.00 | £-10.00 |
| Twelve Months Road Tax | On The Road | £360.00 | £0.00 |
| HC+NOx | Emissions - ICE | Not Available | |
| Particles | Emissions - ICE | Not Available | |
| Standard Emissions | Emissions - ICE | EURO 6 | |
| WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb | Emissions - ICE | 160 | |
| Automatic Transmission | Engine and Drive Train | No | |
| Bore | Engine and Drive Train | 71.9 | |
| Catalytic Convertor | Engine and Drive Train | Yes | |
| CC | Engine and Drive Train | 998 | |
| Compression Ratio | Engine and Drive Train | 10:1 | |
| Cooling System | Engine and Drive Train | WATER | |
| Cylinder Layout | Engine and Drive Train | IN-LINE | |
| Cylinders | Engine and Drive Train | 3 | |
| Engine Layout | Engine and Drive Train | FRONT TRANSVERSE | |
| Engine Make | Engine and Drive Train | Not Available | |
| Fuel Delivery | Engine and Drive Train | DIRECT INJECTION TURBO INTERCOOLER | |
| Fuel Type | Engine and Drive Train | PETROL | |
| Gears | Engine and Drive Train | 6 SPEED | |
| Manual Transmission | Engine and Drive Train | Yes | |
| Number of Valves | Engine and Drive Train | 12 | |
| Stroke | Engine and Drive Train | 81.9 | |
| Valve gear | Engine and Drive Train | SOHC | |
| EC | Fuel Consumption - ICE | No | |
| WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb | Fuel Consumption - ICE | 7 | |
| WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH | Fuel Consumption - ICE | 7.2 | |
| WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL | Fuel Consumption - ICE | 6.2 | |
| WLTP - MPG - Comb | Fuel Consumption - ICE | 40.4 | |
| WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH | Fuel Consumption - ICE | 39.2 | |
| WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL | Fuel Consumption - ICE | 45.6 | |
| Alternative Fuel Qualifying | General | No | |
| Did at least one aspect of this vehicles safety give cause for concern? | General | No | |
| Badge Engine CC | General | 1.0 | |
| Badge Power | General | 100 | |
| Based On ID | General | Not Available | |
| Chassis Engine Number | General | Not Available | |
| Clutch | General | SINGLE DRY PLATE | |
| Coin Description | General | Not Available | |
| Coin Gross Vehicle Weight Code | General | Not Available | |
| Coin Power Output Code | General | Not Available | |
| Coin Series | General | Not Available | |
| Coin Wheelbase Description Code | General | Not Available | |
| Coin Wheelbase Name Code | General | Not Available | |
| Exhaust System | General | CATALYTIC CONVERTER | |
| Front Brakes | General | DISCS | |
| Front Suspension | General | MACPHERSON STRUTS | |
| Generation Mark | General | 2 | |
| Ghost model for valuation purposes | General | No | |
| Hand Brake | General | REAR | |
| Insurance Group 1 | General | Not Available | |
| Insurance Group 2 | General | Not Available | |
| Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years | General | 12 | |
| Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years | General | 3 | |
| NCAP Adult Occupant Protection % | General | Not Available | |
| NCAP Child Occupant Protection % | General | Not Available | |
| NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09 | General | Not Available | |
| NCAP Overall Rating - LCV | General | Not Available | |
| NCAP Pedestrian Protection % | General | Not Available | |
| NCAP Safety Assist % | General | Not Available | |
| Rear Brakes | General | DRUM | |
| Rear Suspension | General | SINGLE LEAF SPRINGS | |
| Relative Height | General | H1 | |
| Relative Length | General | L1 | |
| Running Cost League Headings | General | SMALL | |
| Service Interval Frequency - Months | General | 24 | |
| Service Interval Mileage | General | 18000 | |
| Special Edition | General | No | |
| Special Order | General | No | |
| Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage | General | 100000 | |
| Standard manufacturers warranty - Years | General | 3 | |
| Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months | General | 120 | |
| Timing Belt Interval Mileage | General | 144000 | |
| Vehicle Homologation Class | General | N1 | |
| Vin/Frame No. | General | Not Available | |
| BHP | Performance | 100 | |
| Engine Power KW | Performance | 74 | |
| Engine Power RPM | Performance | 6000 | |
| Engine Torque LBS.FT | Performance | 125 | |
| Engine Torque MKG | Performance | 17.3 | |
| Engine Torque NM | Performance | 170 | |
| Engine Torque RPM | Performance | 1400 | |
| Emissions Test Cycle | Test Cycles | WLTP | |
| RDE Certification Level | Test Cycles | RDE 2 | |
| Alloys? | Tyres | No | |
| Automatic Clutch | Tyres | No | |
| Plated 3rd Axle | Tyres | Not Available | |
| Plated 4th Axle | Tyres | Not Available | |
| Space Saver? | Tyres | No | |
| Tyre Make | Tyres | Not Available | |
| Tyre Size Front | Tyres | 205/60 R16 | |
| Tyre Size Rear | Tyres | 205/60 R16 | |
| Tyre Size Spare | Tyres | FULL SIZE | |
| Wheel Style | Tyres | Not Available | |
| Wheel Type | Tyres | 16" STEEL | |
| Front Overhang | Vehicle Dimensions | 885 | |
| Height | Vehicle Dimensions | 1859 | |
| Length | Vehicle Dimensions | 4425 | |
| Load Deck Height | Vehicle Dimensions | 584 | |
| Load Height | Vehicle Dimensions | 1263 | |
| Load Length | Vehicle Dimensions | 1831 | |
| Load Space Width Between Wheel Arches | Vehicle Dimensions | 1228 | |
| Load Width | Vehicle Dimensions | 1543 | |
| Lower Rear Door Width | Vehicle Dimensions | 1249 | |
| Rear Door Height | Vehicle Dimensions | 1114 | |
| Rear Overhang | Vehicle Dimensions | 878 | |
| Side Load Door Height | Vehicle Dimensions | 1128 | |
| Side Load Door Width | Vehicle Dimensions | 615 | |
| Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb | Vehicle Dimensions | 11 | |
| Turning Circle - Wall to Wall | Vehicle Dimensions | 11.7 | |
| Wheelbase | Vehicle Dimensions | 2662 | |
| Width (excluding mirrors) | Vehicle Dimensions | 1967 | |
| Width (including mirrors) | Vehicle Dimensions | 2137 | |
| Boot Capacity Saloons | Weight and Capacities | Not Available | |
| Gross Train Weight | Weight and Capacities | 3250 | |
| Gross Vehicle Weight | Weight and Capacities | 2090 | |
| Load Space Volume | Weight and Capacities | 2.6 | |
| Luggage Capacity (Seats Down) | Weight and Capacities | Not Available | |
| Luggage Capacity (Seats Up) | Weight and Capacities | Not Available | |
| Luggage Capacity - 2nd Row Seats Removed | Weight and Capacities | Not Available | |
| Luggage Capacity - 2nd Row Seats Up | Weight and Capacities | Not Available | |
| Luggage Capacity - 3rd Row Seats Down | Weight and Capacities | Not Available | |
| Luggage Capacity - 3rd Row Seats Removed | Weight and Capacities | Not Available | |
| Luggage Capacity - 3rd Row Seats Up | Weight and Capacities | Not Available | |
| Max. Towing Weight - Braked | Weight and Capacities | 1200 | |
| Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked | Weight and Capacities | 735 | |
| No. of Seats | Weight and Capacities | 2 | |
| Payload | Weight and Capacities | 645 |
Ford's Transit Connect is a small van - with big ideas. It must suit buyers in both small and compact sectors of the LCV market - and does so thanks to the choice of both short and long wheelbase bodystyles and a versatile loadbay which can now take up to 982kg if you choose the right variant. This current version gets a smart look, quite a classy cabin and an efficient 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel engine. Overall, there may be prettier little vans, but there are few more practical ones.
It was the Transit Connect that really galvanised the small van sector when it was launched in the UK back in 2003. A whole host of copycat rivals - Citroen's Nemo, Peugeot's Bipper and Fiat's Fiorino - quickly followed. But despite tough competition, this Ford has continued to find a ready band of buyers. The Blue Oval brand says that's because, unless its competitors, it uses fewer car-derived components in its construction, leading to a less compromised commercial vehicle result. Originally, this design had to cover both small (think Peugeot Bipper or Citroen Nemo) and compact (think Citroen Berlingo or Renault Kangoo) sectors of the LCV market, segments covered by other brands with two separate models. That was a bit of a stretch. These days though, Ford too, has separate models to offer, with the little Transit Courier slotting in beneath this Transit Connect to form a four-strong Transit offering for UK van buyers.
You don't buy any van prioritising ride and handling but with Ford's strong reputation in this department when it comes to passenger cars, then it's fair to expect this Transit Connect to dynamically, be one of the class leaders. Which broadly, it is. Like any LCV, this one handles better fully loaded, but even in the unladen state, cornering response is predictable and bodyroll well controlled. Once you've dropped off your load, you could even imagine rather enjoying yourself on the way home around the twisty stuff in one of these. To a point. Of course, to a certain extent, you'll be limited by the modest output of the 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel powerplant that most Transit Connect customers go for. There's also an improved 1.0 Ecooost petrol engine option with 100PS. An upgraded six-speed manual transmission is now fitted to all engines as standard and the 1.5-litre EcoBlue engine (offered with 75, 100 or 120PS) can also be specified with an advanced new eight-speed automatic transmission, which has been engineered to deliver smooth, swift gearshifts. If you're towing, then the top diesel's the variant to choose, offering a braked trailer towing capacity of up to 800kg. Depending on the variant you choose, the turning circle is between 11 and 11.9m. There's plenty of hi-tech here as well. Safety-wise, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is standard across the entire range, plus there's Hill Launch Assist to stop you drifting backwards on uphill junctions, Anti Lock Brakes with Hydraulic Brake Assist, Active Yaw Control (that assists with oversteer and understeer), Roll Movement Intervention (to reduce body roll) and, if the worst comes to the worst, Roll Over Mitigation.
From the outside, it's clear that Ford's development team have prioritised function over form in this design. So though the front end is these days sleeker and smarter, the overall look is still very boxy and practical-looking. Styling changes made in recent times adopt the latest Ford design DNA. An imposing three-bar Transit grille combined with slimmer headlamps - with powerful HID Xenon lamps and LED daytime running lights available on high series models - combine with a more aerodynamic lower fascia and front spoiler to deliver a fresher look. Inside, where build quality from the Turkish factory remains solid, it's much as before, though there's now a wider use of switchgear and design cues from plush Ford passenger car models like the S-MAX. The upgraded cabin features a revised instrument panel with a new central control area that incorporates a floating, tablet-inspired six-inch colour touchscreen on high series models, featuring Ford's SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system. New trim materials provide a stylish and hard-wearing working environment for long working days in the cab. Getting comfortable at the wheel is easy thanks to a steering wheel adjustable for both reach and rake. And there's plenty of cabin storage space. Though it's difficult to know where you would put a sandwich box, a flask or a big bottle of water, there are compartments both in front of the gearstick and behind the handbrake, then between them in the centre area between the seats, a holder for coins and tokens and two large cupholders, narrow bins in each door, a lidded glovebox, an optional tray under the front passenger seat and a shelf at the top of the facia capable of holding A4 documents. Oh and a curry hook for your Friday night takeaway. A load-through hatch in the bulkhead and fold-flat passenger seat enable long loads up to 3.0m (L1) and 3.4m (L2) to be safely carried in the vehicle. In addition, a multi-fold dual passenger seat now enables van models to carry up to three people in the cab.
Pricing starts at around £17,500 excluding VAT and there's a premium of around £1,000 to go from the 'L1' short wheelbase bodystyle to the 'L2' long wheelbase version. If you're looking to carry people as well as packages, there's a 'Double Cab-in-Van' option with a fold-out rear bench. Or you could go for a full Kombi version with proper rear seats. Trim levels run from 'Base' (where there's the option of a frugal 'ECOnetic version) to 'Trend' and on to 'Limited' and 'Sport'. Whichever Transit Connect you choose, equipment levels run to a reach and rake-adjustable steering wheel, see-you-home lights that stay on at night to guide you to your front door, remote central locking that allows you to lock and unlock the cab and load area separately, Hill-Start Assist to stop you drifting backwards on uphill junctions, a full steel bulkhead and a sliding side door. There's also a DAB digital radio, a trip computer and steering wheel stereo controls. This revised model introduces a comprehensive range of segment-first driver assistance features, including an Intelligent Speed Limiter - that enables automatic adjustment of maximum vehicle speed to remain within legal limits. There's also a Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection emergency braking system, Side Wind Stabilisation and Active Park Assist that helps to steer the vehicle into both parallel and perpendicular parking spaces.
Transit Connect models come as standard with conventionally hinged side-opening twin rear doors that can be specified to swing through 250-degrees and latched against the vehicle's sides. There is the option of a hatchback-like single top-hinged rear door, but if you go for that, then you're going to have trouble getting a forklift close enough to the back of the vehicle to fully fill the space available. That said, the loading height can be as little as 598mm from the ground. Even bulky stuff should go in OK, even in the short wheelbase lowroof version which has a rear door aperture 1145mm high and 1293mm wide. Beyond that, there's a 2.9m3 space - or 3.6m3 if you specify the fold-flat front passenger seat. There's a loadspace length of 1739mm and a loadspace width of 1490mm, narrowing to 1226mm between the wheelarches, wide enough to take a Europallet. Oh and 1193mm of loadspace height. If you're planning to make use of all that capacity, then you'll want to know that the payload capacity can now be as high as 982kgs. But, you know what it's like, there are always going to be occasions when all that won't be quite enough. And if one of those occurs, then you may wish you'd opted for the long wheelbase high roof model, a variant that's 25cm longer overall. Here, the rear door aperture height rises to 1316mm, while the total loadspace volume rises to 3.7m3 - or 4.4m if you specify the fold-flat front passenger seat. That's thanks to a loadspace height increase to 1364mm and a load length increase to 1986mm - which means that you could accommodate pipes of up to 3m long. Smaller loads of course can be loaded in through the sliding side door. One of these is standard, with a second on the options list. In the short wheelbase model, the sliding side door offers an aperture 606mm wide and 1040mm high, but on the longer long wheelbase variant, the width rises to 809mm and the height to 1181mm. To minimise overall cost of ownership, service intervals have been extended on both diesel and petrol variants, with manual diesel vehicles now offering best-in-class variable intervals of up to two years/25,000 miles. The longer service intervals contribute to scheduled maintenance and non-scheduled repair costs that are significantly lower than the primary competition, according to Ford analysis. The latest version of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine incorporates significant changes to the cylinder head, fuel injection and emission-control systems to provide further improvements in fuel-efficiency. New technologies also include cylinder deactivation, which enables the engine to run on two cylinders at low loads, to reduce pumping losses and improve frugality.
The improved Transit Connect remains a practical, no-nonsense, well-rounded package that still does a very effective job for Ford in appealing to business customers in both the small and not so small panel van sectors. The practicalities still stack up well against obvious rivals in both segments who clearly looked very carefully at what this model has to offer but in many respects, failed to improve upon it. It was just as well though, that the changes wrought upon this improved model were introduced. The introduction of a greener, more refined 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel is welcome, as is the uprated payload and the availability of an improved version of Ford's clever 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol unit. With electric power in its future, this Connect will continue as an alternative that all small and compact van buyers need to consider. Tough, practical and ready for anything. Just as any Transit should be.
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1.0 Ecoboost 100ps Trend Van van.
