Ford's new Transit will be available with choice of front- or rear-wheel drive.

Now there is a totally new Transit built on three wheelbases off a common platform, with body styles that include commercial vans, buses, and chassis cabs. Four load lengths from 2500-4000 mm (98-157 in) will be offered. Initially available only with rear-wheel drive, a front-wheel-drive version will be offered later this year. At launch, there is a choice of diesel engines, while a gasoline unit of 2.3 L will be available later in 2000. The Transit's power unit can be placed longitudinally or transversely.

The new Ford is claimed to be the industry's first common platform with both front- and rear-wheel drive. In several of the Transit's primary markets, the one-tonne segment has shown a marked trend towards front-wheel drive in recent years, which has facilitated a lower floor, according to Ford. But the two-tonne market continues to prefer rear-wheel drive, which is why the Transit, which straddles both, is to be offered with a choice of configurations.

What is claimed to be the world's largest, one-piece automotive stamping is used for the new Transit's steel roof. Compared with the outgoing model, the new Transit has a reduction in bodyside tumblehome, which has brought an 11% increase in load area volume. The B-pillar is backward sloped for enhanced driver vision, and drop-waist side windows also improve vision. The Transit uses Ford's DuraTorq turbodiesel engines in 2.0- and 2.4-L forms, with four-valve-per-cylinder technology claimed by Ford as another "industry first" for a commercial vehicle.

Stuart Birch

AEI March 2000