Ford's perennial cargo box on wheels, the Transit, enters 2017 with an automatic transmission option for the first time to make it more competitive in the busy van market.
There is also more zip under the accelerator pedal and yet reduced fuel consumption thanks to a new Euro 6 emissions standards compliant turbo-diesel engine.
Ford said the Transit and Transit Custom are optional with the six-speed automatic mated to the all-new 2.0-litre turbo-diesel 'EcoBlue' engine that, in addition to more power, torque and fuel economy, has longer service intervals.
There has also been a significant upgrade to the cabin, notably the option of Ford's Sync 3 for the Transit 350L automatic.
In launching the new front-wheel drive van, Ford Australia president and CEO Graeme Whickman said the automatic transmission now puts the Transit in touch with 85 per cent of the Australian van market.
"The arrival of an automatic variant for Transit and Transit Custom widens our small business opportunities and expands consideration to include large fleet and government buyers," he said.
"On top of this, longer service intervals mean less time off the road, while a longer warranty brings peace of mind so owners can focus on their business success."
The standard service intervals have been increased to 12 months or 30,000km, an increase of 15,000km on the outgoing Transit models.
The longer warranty is now three years/200,000km, representing an additional 100,000km over the current warranty.
There has also been a significant upgrade to the cabin, notably the option of Ford's Sync 3 for the Transit 350L automatic model for the first time.
The in-vehicle multimedia system for the Transit 350L includes a 6.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and boasts faster performance, more conversational (read: Australian) voice recognition, intuitive smartphone-like touchscreen and an improved graphic user interface.
It has pinch and swipe control and its compatible apps include Spotify, Pandora and Google Maps+.
Other Transit models for will get a 4.0-inch touchscreen for 2017. However, carry-over Transit versions will retain the 3.4-inch screen.
All Transit models for 2017 have a bigger reversing camera display that is now located on the audio system screen rather than in the rearview mirror.
New options for the Transit Custom include dual side-load doors in addition to the rear lift-gate door. Buyers can specify the new Transit range in a choice of 100 colours.
The Custom also gets full wheel covers (previously hub caps); a chrome insert for the grille to signify the new 2.0-litre engine; side-wind stabilisation and Driver Assist Tech.
Ford's system also helps combat fatigue by reducing the driver's workload.
The new technology – standard on the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel Transit and Transit Custom versions – is designed to help the vehicle remain in the lane when suddenly affected by side winds or any turbulence created by a large truck.
Ford's system also helps combat fatigue by reducing the driver's workload.
The turbo-diesel engine is from a new generation of diesels released by Ford. In the larger Transit, the 2.0-litre version is rated at 125kW/405Nm, up from the 114kW/385Nm outputs produced by the existing 2.2-litre unit which carries over to some variants.
Meanwhile, the Transit Custom offers a different state of tune for the new engine – 96kW/385Nm – and has a claimed fuel consumption of 6.4-6.6 litres per 100 kilometres for the manual versions, and 7.2L/100km for the automatic models.
The Transit Custom is priced from $39,690 plus on-road costs for the 290S manual and $41,690 for the bigger 340L manual, representing a price increase over the equivalent outgoing 2.2-litre versions of $1700 apiece.
Opting for the new automatic transmission adds $2750 to the price.
Pricing for the larger Transit remains static, ranging from $47,680 for the RWD 350L manual, up to $57,680 for the Transit Bus.
The new and only 2.0-litre Transit auto is priced from $51,380.
2017 Ford Transit list pricing
Ford Transit 290S Custom FWD 2.0L – manual – $39,690
Ford Transit 290S Custom FWD 2.0L – automatic – $42,440
Ford Transit 340L Custom FWD 2.0L – manual – $41,690
Ford Transit 340L Custom FWD 2.0L – automatic – $44,440
Ford Transit 350L Van RWD 2.2L – manual – $47,680
Ford Transit 350L Van FWD 2.0L – automatic – $51,380
Ford Transit 350E Van RWD 2.2L – manual – $51,180
Ford Transit 470E Van RWD 2.2L – manual – $54,180
Ford Transit 470E Single Cab Chassis RWD 2.2L – manual – $49,180
Ford Transit 470E Double Cab Chassis RWD 2.2L – manual – $52,680
Ford Transit 410L Bus RWD 2.2L– manual – $57,680
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