“In 1965, a new delivery van made its entry onto the world stage. This van promptly became one of the most famous getaway vans of all time. Today, still wanted by couriers and tradies alike, it survives in a number of configurations. If you have a cargo, if no one else can help and if you can appreciate the paintjob, maybe you can drive… the A Team van.”
Introducing Ford’s interestingly cool Transit Custom Sport – twin brother to the Transit Custom Double cab in Van, or DCiV if you prefer less of a mouthful – launched at the same time.
We’ll look at the DCiV next issue, but for now, what makes a Transit Custom Sport? The answer is, quite a lot, most of which you can’t actually see, but there are a few other external highlights in addition to the racing stripes.
The 17-inch machined alloys, unique front and rear bumpers and side skirts, body coloured mirrors and gloss black grille framed by static bending and LED daytime running lights all give that ‘sporty personality’ look that would make BA Baracus proud.
Under the bonnet is the same blueprint as the regular model – a two-litre turbodiesel with Auto Start/Stop, 16 valves, diesel particulate filter and a 16.5:1 compression ratio... but the Transit Sport puts out 136kW and 415Nm of torque over the 125/405 of the everyday Transit Custom – not that the normal van’s 125/405 is anything to sneeze at – but 136/415 is better no matter which way you look at it.
The cabin has seen a major overhaul with the driver’s seat upgraded to 10-way power adjustable version in partial leather trim and it retains the SYNC 3 infotainment system with a full-colour 8.0-inch touchscreen, accommodating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone capability.
You also get a 230v power inverter with an international socket onboard the Transit Custom Sport for powering laptops, iPads, cordless power tools, small MIG welders etcetera.
Ford’s designers have done well to produce a practical, ergonomic and feature-packed cabin which is car-like in its design – just what you’re looking for in a vehicle with “Sport” in its name. And on this last, the six-speed auto with its manual mode doesn’t hurt either.
Transit Custom Sport features low-drain LED lights for improved rear cabin visibility, a steel bulkhead with through-flap space extender, side wall and load floor protection – these last three features being standard across the Custom range.
The rear cab is 1406mm high, 2554mm long, 1775mm at its widest, which gives it a 5.95 cubic metre square load space to carry a 1046kg payload.
Towing capacity with a braked trailer is 1800kg – 100kg over the regular SWB Transit Custom.
Ford’s Transit Customs are all five-star ANCAP rated and this has been enhanced with Autonomous Emergency braking systems featuring pedestrian detection.
And let’s not forget the driver aid technology which incorporates adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane departure warning, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with rear cross traffic alert and automatic headlamps with auto high beam function.
Naturally, you keep six airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with roll-over mitigation and Trailer Sway Control, Side-wind Stabilisation, load adaptive control, hill launch assist and a full colour rear-view camera to supplement the front and rear parking sensors.
As to the drive, the Transit Sport inspires the ‘driving enthusiast’ eager to get out of the nine-five drudge drive and cut loose at a motorkhana on the weekend. Or at the very least load up the van with high-powered toys.
Specifications:
BODY TYPE 5 door van
DRIVE Front/ 6 speed auto
ENGINE TYPE 4-cylinder, 16 valve turbodiesel (TDCI)
ENGINE CAPACITY 1995cc
MAX POWER 136kW
MAX TORQUE 416Nm
L/100KM (COMBINED) 7.2
CO2 EMISSIONS 187g/km
LOAD CAPACITY 5.95cu.m2/1046kg payload
ANCAP RATING 5 Star
PRICE $59,990
