Ford Transit - All you need to know

Ford Group Philippines, Inc. recently announced its new van offering that sets to rival popular contenders like the Toyota HiAce and Hyundai Grand Starex. Will it be better than the flop E-150 and live up to the hype to get a sizable cut of the van pie? Here’s everything you need to know about the new Ford Transit.

The Ford Transit is being marketed by Ford Philippines on the light commercial bus and van segment (LCBV) aimed at transporting cargo and hauling people to help drive productivity and business growth. It has an overall length of 5,981 mm, a width of 2,059 mm (not counting the side mirrors), height of 2,517 mm, and a wheelbase of 3,750 mm.

Engine and Power

Specifications	Ford Transit
Engine type	2.2-Liter Duratorq TDCi
Engine displacement	2198 cc
Fuel type	Diesel
Maximum output	133 hp at 3750 rpm
Maximum torque	385 Nm at 1500-2000 rpm
Bore & Stroke	86.0 mm x 94.6 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity	80 Liters
Emission Standard	Euro 5 Compliant
Transmission	6-speed manual

The Turkish made Ford Transit minibus four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine is mated to a manual transmission that sends its power to the rear wheels (2WD). The combination of the engine and gearbox makes it more economical and efficient especially after reaching the 6th gear where the Transit can easily just cruise allowing you to save more on fuel.

It has Independent MacPherson Struts, Coil Springs and Stabilizer Bar and Leaf Springs and Gas-Pressurized Shock Absorbers for the front and rear suspension, respectively. It also come equipped with DISC front and rear brakes. The Transit rides on a set of 6.5x16 steel wheels with cover and wrapped in 235/65 R16 rubber. A full-size steel spare wheel also comes as standard.

Exterior

The exterior plays well to the growing demand for the high-roof van segment in the country with Hyundai and Toyota currently leading the pack. It has a compact bonnet with a hexagonal front grille where the Ford badge sits comfortably in the mid center. The multi-reflector halogen headlights are complemented with daytime running lights and front fog lights at the bottom.

At the side, are power-folding and power-adjust side mirrors, wide sliding passenger door, and at the rear are two cargo doors with 180-degree opening capacity with high mounted stop lamp on top. Front and rear mud flaps also comes standard.

The Ford Transit is available in three color options:

• Frozen White
• Moondust Silver
• Magnetic Metallic

Interior

Inside, the driver-centric dashboard of the Ford Transit specs sheet features a multi-function steering wheel, traditional gauges in the instrument cluster, and audio and phone connectivity at the center instead of the more typical infotainment touchscreen.

Again, this Ford Minibus is being marketed for commercial use so it is expected to not have many bells and whistles there. However, the driver seat does come with an armrest for added comfort when shifting gears.

The Ford Transit can accommodate 15 passengers including the driver. It features fabric seating arranged in five rows. The front row to the 4th-row seats features a single-double arrangement, while the fifth rear seating is a 4-person bench type seat.

This means passengers won’t have a hard time getting to their seats as there is an aisle between the single and double seats for unobstructed access. Add to that is the high ceiling which makes walking to the aisle a breeze without having to bend over.

To facilitate smooth entry and exit, Ford Transit has wide front and rear passenger side doors with grab rails. There is also a standard power side step for the rear side passenger door for added convenience.

And to keep things organized, cup holders are strategically placed around the van. Rear air conditioning controls ensure that everyone gets a comfortable ride while the multiple power sockets are great for charging small gadgets or even appliances when doing a long haul trip.

Passive and active safety and driver-assist features

Because the Transit is a hauler, it must have a wide array of safety features to assist the driver and keep passengers safe. Such standard features include:

• Driver and front passenger airbags with passenger airbag deactivation switch
• 3-point seatbelts on all seats plus seatbelt reminder for the driver
• Rearview camera
• Rear roof escape hatch
• ISOFIX child seat fixing points
• Fading brake support
• Anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution
• Emergency brake warning
• Hill launch assist
• Electronic stability control
• Tire pressure sensors
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 2- emergency hammer
• Perimeter anti-theft alarm

Price 

The Ford Transit price is offered at Php 2.3 million and is already available in all Ford dealership nationwide and comes with a free 5-year scheduled service maintenance. In comparison, the 15-seater Toyota HiAce has a starting price of Php 1.457 million while the top trim is priced at Php 2.685 million. On the other hand, the Hyundai Grand Starex has a starting price of Php 1.248 million with the top-of-the-line at Php 2.938 million.

If we’re comparing the top trims of the Toyota and Hyundai van offering, the Ford Transit does have a fighting chance to make it into the local light commercial bus and van segment. However, since it is targeting local businesses,

it has to hope that its performance, reliability, and specs make up for the higher price tag to be able to compete. After all, business owners would like to make the most out of their investment. And if all else fails, Ford can hype up its marketing promotions and offers to drum up sales.

Also Read: Ford Transit - First impression