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VANIRELANDnewsFord Debuts Dynamic New Transit CustomThe all-new one-tonne Ford Transit Custom,which made its global debut at theBirmingham CV Show, features a bold newdesign, car-like interior and outstandingdriving dynamics, making it ideal for abroad range of professionals, skilledtradesmen and small businesses.53customers to do their job.”The modern, driver-focused cockpitfeatures a sculpted instrumentpanel which combines stylish lookswith smart stowage solutions forbottles, phones and papers. Drivercomfort is significantly enhancedthrough a highly adjustable drivingposition which features increasedseat travel – including 30mm morerear travel for taller drivers – andthe addition of a steering columnadjustable for reach and rake.The launch of the TransitCustom marks the next step ofa complete transformation ofFord’s global Commercial Vehiclerange which will see the entireline-up replaced by 2014.Ford will be presenting largerand higher payload Transits laterin 2012. These models will beextensively sold on a global basis,including North America, and willalso feature rear-wheel-drive.Production of the new TransitCustom will start from mid-2012 atFord’s plant in Kocaeli, Turkey, withmarket availability later in the year.“Customers want their vehicleto project a modern and professionalimage, and the new Transit Customdoes not disappoint,” explainedPaul Campbell, chief designer, Fordof Europe. “We have given thevehicle a stylish, modern appearancewhich will be appreciated bybusinesses of all sizes.“It’s still a Transit, so the superblypractical loadspace is a given,but with its sportier stanceand bold rising shoulder line,the Transit Custom makes apowerful new impact.”Signature kinetic design featureshelp to give the Transit Customits unique character, includingthe bold trapezoidal grille,strong and muscular shoulderline and prominent wheel lips.From launch, the Transit Customwill offer a choice of shortwheelbase (SWB - overall length4.97 metres) and long wheelbase(LWB - overall length 5.34 metres)versions, so that customers canselect the amount of load spacewhich best suits their business.Beneath its stylish exterior, the newmodel remains completely trueto its Transit heritage by offeringclass-leading load carrying ability,including a number of innovativenew loadspace features.In addition to offering maximumload volume which exceedsthat of its closest competitors(6.0 cubic metres SAE with fullbulkhead fitted), the load areaof the Transit Custom has beencarefully optimised to offer morespace and more convenience.To provide customers with a widerange of payload options from 600-1,400kg, Transit Custom is availablewith multiple GVM options.“This may be a more stylish Transit,but it’s a more functional Transittoo,” said Barry Gale, CommercialVehicles chief engineer, Ford ofEurope. “The additional featureswe have built into the load spacemake everyday functions moreconvenient – so it’s easier forFiestaVan ECOnetic Now Deliver MoreNew high-tech developments have made Britain’s best-selling car and small van even cleaner withlatest emissions dropping from 95 to 87g/km of CO2 and combined fuel economy rising to 85.6mpg.The significantly improvedefficiency, boosting theenvironmental performance ofthe Fiesta and FiestaVan featuringECOnetic Technology by over12 per cent, has been achievedthrough the introduction of:Auto-Start-Stop, upgrades to the 95PS1.6TDCi engine including frictionand combustion improvements andcalibration optimisation, revisedgear ratios, smart regenerativecharging, EcoMode and improvedefficiency of the air conditioning,cooling fan and alternator.Original equipment fitted asstandard to the Fiesta and FiestaVanECOnetic, including rolling resistancetyres, and aero pack comprisingundershield and wheel deflectors,variable flow oil pump and shiftindicator light, is carried over onECOnetic Technology models.The Ford Fiesta with ECOneticTechnology has three trim levels tosuit different customer requirements:Edge, Zetec or Titanium. Suchadvanced fuel economy avoidsUK road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty)contributions, yet the refinementand fun-to-drive personality of theoriginal Fiesta is retained intact.Ford Fiesta’s value story continueswith five engines in the Fiestaline-up emitting less than 130g/km of CO2 making them exemptfrom vehicle excise duty in theirfirst year. This includes the 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre TDCi 95PSECOnetic Technology engine.VI Van News 2pgs.indd 53 10/05/2012 12:19