CV Show 2013: Ford reveals Transit Courier

Ford has unveiled a new compact van – the Transit Courier. Based on the same platform as the new Fiesta, the Transit Courier sits below the Transit Connect in the Ford van range and will be an alternative to the likes of the Citroen Nemo and Fiat Qubo. It will go on sale in the UK in Spring 2014.

It means that the Transit range will expand to four models, starting with the Transit Courier, then the Transit Connect followed by the recently launched Transit Custom and finally the Transit.

It may be the smallest van in the Transit line-up but it's still capable of carrying a standard Euro pallet and has the longest load length in the class at 1.62 metres. The total cargo volume is 2.3m3 and it comes with a sliding side door and a full height steel bulkhead that's available glazed. If you need to carry longer items there's the option of a folding mesh bulkhead and drop down passenger seat.

The load area comes with six cargo tie-down points with four side-mounted panels plus there's the option of ultra-bright LED lighting. The maximum payload is 660kg which is on a par with similar-sized vans.

There are two diesel engines in the range – a 1.5-litre TDCi with 75PS and a 1.6 TDCi producing 95PS – plus Ford's impressive 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol unit that's used in various Ford's like the Fiesta and B-MAX. To improve economy all engines come with automatic start/stop as standard.

Following on from the new Transit Custom, the Transit Courier has a similar front end with angled headlights and a trapezoidal grille. Inside the interior echoes Ford's passenger cars with a modern design. There's also plenty of stowage including 'mega-centre' console which can hold A4 documents and small laptops, overhead stowage plus a drawer under the driver’s seat. A device dock in the centre of the instrument panel lets drivers store, mount and charge mobile devices including phones and satnavs.