The refreshed Ford Transit Custom van has arrived in South Africa, sporting the Blue Oval brand’s latest family face as well as some updates to the interior. This follows the recent arrival of the facelifted Tourneo Custom on local shores.
At launch, the updated Transit Custom range includes five derivatives (three panel vans and two kombi vans), each employing a six-speed manual gearbox.
While kombi van line-up is unchanged – comprising a long-wheelbase Ambiente and a short-wheelbase Trend, each powered by a 92 kW/350 N.m 2,2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine – two short-wheelbase derivatives have been cut from the three-seater panel van range.
The long-wheelbase Ambiente panel van can be had with either the above engine or a detuned 74 kW/310 N.m version. Meanwhile, the Transit Custom Sport offers 114 kW and 385 N.m.
The updated one-tonne commercial van sports a new front-end design with high-mounted three-bar grille and fresh slim headlamps. Inside, you’ll find new seat designs (featuring revised foam padding and geometry), while Ford claims trim materials have been “completely renewed throughout the cabin, with a focus on outstanding quality, durability and appearance”.
Advanced driver assistance features include ABS with EBD, an electronic stability programme, hill launch assist, load adaptive control, roll-over mitigation and the optional trailer sway control (the latter activated with the fitment of a tow bar at a Ford dealer). Driver and passenger airbags are standard across the Transit Custom range.
Front and rear parking sensors (linked to a camera display in the rear-view mirror) also ship standard, as does cruise control (with a speed limiter function). All models are furthermore equipped with an audio system.
Ford says the panel van offers a gross payload ranging from 1 155 kg on the Sport model to 1 505 kg on the 92 kW Ambiente. Access to the load area comes via a sliding door on the passenger side, with the Trend-level kombi gaining dual side doors (an option offered on other models). The rear-hinged doors open to 180 degrees, incorporating a positive stop at 90 degrees and click-lock functionality.
The automaker says the Sport model’s twin bonnet stripes and body kit have been redesigned, featuring a lower skirt for the front bumper with model-specific foglamp bezels, body-colour side-skirts, rear bumper skirts and hefty wheel arch extensions. The Sport (which boasts partial leather inside) runs on 18-inch alloys wrapped in 235/50 R18 rubber.
The below prices include a four-year/120 000 km warranty and a six-year/90 000 km service plan (with intervals of 15 000 km).
Pricing:
Panel Van
Ford Transit Custom 2,2 TDCi LWB Ambiente 74 kW: R436 000
Ford Transit Custom 2,2 TDCi LWB Ambiente 92 kW: R443 400
Ford Transit Custom 2,2 TDCi SWB Sport 114 kW: R482 200
Kombi Van
Ford Transit Custom 2,2 TDCi LWB Ambiente 92 kW: R480 400
Ford Transit Custom 2,2 TDCi SWB Trend 92 kW: R505 500
