Ford reveals new Transit Connect
Mon, 12 Feb 2024
Ford has pulled the wraps off its new Transit Connect, which will arrive in the UK later this year and will be offered for the first time as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant alongside conventional diesels.
The newcomer has been developed alongside the Volkswagen Caddy as part of VW and Ford’s joint manufacturing venture, which will ultimately see a new range of vans using identical platform across both brands.
The new Ford Transit Connect will be offered in both short and long-wheelbase layouts, with a choice of two-seat van or five-seat Kombi body styles.
Load volume is increased over the old model to 3.1 cubic metres (L1) or 3.7 cubic metres (L2) depending on your choice of wheelbase, while the maximum payload is 820kg.
In the Kombi model, the rear seat is designed to fold flat so it can be used as a conventional van when the bench is not in use.
Diesel power comes courtesy of Ford’s 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engines with 102PS and 122PS outputs and a six-speed manual gearbox.
The new plug-in hybrid Ford Transit Connect model uses a VW-sourced 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor and battery, giving an electric-only range of 68 miles with the back-up of petrol power when needed – ideal for urban users and local tradespeople. It will also come with 50kW DC fast-charging capability.
All models will have a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, combined with a 10‑inch central touchscreen and Ford’s SYNC5 infotainment system with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto mirroring. It also gets 45-watt USB-C ports in the cab for charging laptops and larger devices.
It will also come with a range of driver assistance systems includes Pre-Collision Assist with Auto Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning, Evasive Steer Assist, and Intersection Assist to help prevent collisions. A rear-view camera and Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert will be offered on higher specifications.
Production begins in the spring of 2024, with diesel models arriving first and the PHEV arriving before the end of the year.
