ICONIC FORD TRANSIT 'GOES GREEN' WITH NEW ECONETIC MODEL

  • Low CO2 Ford ECOnetic technology joins versatile Transit range
  • Based on Transit 280 SWB Van with 2.2-litre 115PS Duratorq TDCi
  • Combined fuel economy of 39.2mpg*,  (average 189 g/km CO2)
  • Transit is first Ford commercial vehicle to achieve Stage V emissions
  • On sale Autumn 2009. Prices revealed nearer on sale date

BRENTWOOD, Essex, April 23, 2009 – Ford's ECOnetic low CO2 technology is coming to Ford's most popular commercial vehicle icon, the Ford Transit. On sale later this year, the new Transit ECOnetic is based on the front-wheel-drive Transit 280 panel van with short wheelbase and 2.2-litre 115PS Duratorq TDCi engine. Target fuel economy is 39.2mpg*, while average CO2 emissions are a best in class 189 g/km.

Following the launch of ECOnetic models in Ford's Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo passenger car ranges, the company is now committed to continuing this affordable low CO2 approach in the commercial vehicle market. In addition to the new Transit ECOnetic, an ECOnetic version of its compact workmate, the Fiesta Van, will also go on sale later this year.

Steve Kimber, commercial vehicles director, Ford of Britain, said: "We appreciate that our commercial vehicle customers have a clear interest in saving fuel and lowering their cost of ownership. At the same time, environmental friendliness is also growing in importance for them, and with the new Transit ECOnetic they can achieve both."

Transit ECOnetic – what's different?

  • Low friction oil
  • Green shift indicator light
  • Modified engine calibration
  • Standard 70mph speed limiter
  • Improvements over the standard 115PS 280S of 24 g/km CO2
  • New low-drag wheel covers

The option of a closed-loop, coated Diesel Particulate Filter (cDPF) enables Transit ECOnetic to satisfy the Euro Stage V emissions standards, available as an option. The 115PS engine reaches its peak power at 3,500rpm, and delivers a maximum torque figure of 300Nm at 1,800 to 2,000rpm.

The Transit ECOnetic features the Durashift six-speed manual transmission (VMT-6).  This offers a wider range of available gear ratios over the prior Durashift five-speed transmission, allowing better fuel economy at all speeds, while the power and torque upgrade offers rewarding performance on demand.  The 'shorter' gearing in first gear allows for improved pull-away performance, while the 'longer' gearing in top provides improved highway fuel economy (around 10 per cent better compared with the combined NEDC figures), with reduced engine revs for a range of speeds and loads for the standard Transit configuration. For the ECOnetic version, longer gearing has been achieved through the fitment of a 4.36 final drive ratio.

Standard on Transit ECOnetic is Ford's Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system, including Hill Launch Assist (HLA). It also has a generous array of standard equipment, including the Ford Audio 6000 unit as well as load box safety equipment, including a full steel bulkhead and solid tie down hooks. Additional features, such as a trip computer (to monitor fuel performance), rear parking sensors and a new rear view camera with overhead seven-inch colour display, can also be ordered.

The Transit ECOnetic is as practical as any Transit. It offers 1,097kg gross payload (the standard Transit 280S van is 1,092kg), and the same load box volume of  6.5 cubic metres – using the SAE method of volume calculations.

Detail engineering for the Transit ECOnetic included reducing the availability of the heaviest options such as a second sliding door. However, all standard and optional safety and comfort features are available.

Ford Transit ECOnetic Technical Specifications
 


Engine data

Engine type

Duratorq TDCi 2.2-litre

Displacement – cc

2198

Fuel type

Diesel

Bore mm

86

Stroke mm

94.6

Max power PS/kW

115/85

at rpm

3,500

Torque ISO Nm

300

at rpm

1,800 to 2,000

Emission level

Stage 5 **

Fuel Economy*
Litres/100 km (mpg)

Urban
Extra Urban
Combined
CO2 g/km

31.74/32.47**
45.56/44.84**
39.23/39.23**
189 / 189**

*Fuel economy figures quoted are based on the European Fuel Economy Directive EU 80/1268/EEC which may differ from fuel economy drive cycle results in other regions of the world.
** with optional cDPF

 

Suspension

 

Front

Independent MacPherson struts, variable rate coil springs, stabiliser bar and gas pressurised shock absorbers.

Rear

Single leaf springs, gas pressurised shock absorbers

Brakes

 

 

Dual-circuit, with self-adjusting servo-assistance. Front and rear discs. Standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Active Yaw Control (AYC), Roll Over Mitigation (ROM), Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Hill Launch Assist (HLA)

Steering

Rack and pinion, power-assisted steering

Wheels and Tyres

5 ½ J 16" steel wheels with 215/75 R16 tyres

Fuel tank capacity litres

80

Weights*

Payload (gross)

1097 kg

Kerb weight

1743 kg

Gross Weight

2840 kg

* All weight data refer to base version assuming full fluid levels and 90% fuel levels.
All kerb masses quoted are subject to manufacturing tolerances with minimum equipment. Trend, Limited and Sport models will have greater kerb masses and, therefore, lower payloads due to the increased amount of standard equipment. Any additional options specified on the vehicle will reduce the payload accordingly.

 

Exterior Dimensions (mm)

 

Overall height – laden

2082

Overall height – unladen

2089

Overall length mm

4863

Overall width (with/without mirrors)

2374/1974

Wheelbase

2933

Front overhang

933

Rear overhang

997

Turning circle kerb to kerb (m)

10.8, wall to wall 11.4

 

Loadspace functionality (mm)

 

Load length (max)

2582

Load width (max)

1762

Cargo floor to roof

1430

Cargo floor to ground – laden

538

Cargo floor to ground – unladen

609

Rear door height

1370

Rear door width

1540

Sliding door height

1352

Sliding door width

1030

Cargo volume (cu. m)

6.5 (SAE)