Ford introduces New Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect

• New Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect offer exceptional fuel efficiency, load carrying, durability and flexibility

• Expands Ford’s range of commercial vehicles and people movers, featuring 2014 International Van of the Year – Transit Connect

• Advanced technologies including 1.0 and 1.6-litre EcoBoost and 1.6 TDCi engines, Ford SYNC^®,  Active City Stop and Active Grille Shutter

PRETORIA, South Africa, March 2015 – Van operators and active families stand to benefit from exceptional fuel economy, load-carrying ability, safety and durability of Ford’s new Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect models.

The Connect twins – comprising the Transit panel van and Tourneo MPV – are now available in South Africa and come with an esteemed reputation: Transit Connect is the 2014 International Van of the Year in Europe.

“Ford has been expanding its commercial vehicle range significantly over the past two years, starting off with the Transit Custom and Tourneo Custom followed by the two-ton Transit van, chassis cab and Tourneo bus launched last year,” says Tracey Delate, General Marketing Manager.

“The new Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect add a third and extremely important range to our portfolio, offering the latest technologies, outstanding flexibility, unrivalled safety and exceptional efficiency in a compact yet extremely versatile package.”

Although the compact C-segment panel van and MPV sectors claim a relatively small share of the South African market currently, based on the success of the formula internationally it is expected to become a much bigger player in the future as buyers demand car-like levels of comfort, safety and luxury features, yet with great manoeuvrability and the ability to carry people and goods with ease.

Tourneo Connect

Ford’s spacious and versatile new Tourneo Connect provides smart, attractive and affordable people movers for families and motorists with active lifestyles. Stylish and eye-catching on the outside, it’s just as appealing inside too by offering impressive flexibility from its versatile seating to a wide range of stowage options and dual sliding side doors.

These attributes are combined with outstanding fuel economy and low emissions from highly efficient powertrains, along with advanced safety technologies typically associated with more upmarket vehicles.

The Tourneo Connect is available in a choice of three specification levels and two wheelbase configurations. The Ambiente and Trend use the short-wheelbase (SWB) five-seater platform, while the Titanium derivatives are based on the long-wheelbase (LWB) Grand Tourneo Connect layout in either standard five-seat configuration or optional seven-seat form.

Further enhancing the practical nature of this vehicle, the second and third rows can be folded flat to reveal a massive 2 761 litres of packing space in in the case of the Grand Tourneo Connect, or 2 620 litres for the SWB version

“Whether tackling the school run or participating in sporting activities such as mountain biking or surfing, the Tourneo Connect people movers are great for today’s busy, active lifestyles,” says Delate.

“These are roomy and economical cars which are kind to the family budget, and offer all the comfort, features and smart technologies which Ford customers have come to expect.”

A total of four competitively priced and well-equipped models are offered, starting off with the 1.0 EcoBoost Ambiente in short-wheelbase form. Despite its entry-level status, it is equipped with a high specification level in terms of luxury and safety equipment.

The 1.0 EcoBoost Trend takes the equipment list up a notch further, and is followed by the range-topping 1.6 TDCi and 1.6 EcoBoost Titanium models, both in LWB Grand Tourneo Connect guise.

The 1.0 EcoBoost engine, which has been awarded the International Engine of the Year title for the last three years running, continues to set the benchmarks for performance and efficiency. In this application it produces 74kW of power and an impressive 170Nm of torque.

It is paired with a six-speed manual transmission and consumes a mere 5.6l/100km* in the combined cycle, matched to 129g of CO₂ per km*.

The 1.6 TDCi turbodiesel engine combines outstanding pulling power with superb economy, linked to a six-speed manual. With 85kW and a substantial 285Nm on tap, it boasts a fuel consumption figure of 4.9l/100km* and 130 g/km* CO₂ emissions rating.

Headlining the range is the powerful 1.6 EcoBoost, which is matched exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission. It delivers a maximum output of 110kW and a 240Nm torque peak. Average consumption is rated at 8.0l/100km* and CO₂ emissions at 184 g/km*.

Transit Connect

Ford’s new Transit Connect offers exceptional fuel economy, load carrying ability and durability, making it the perfect choice for large fleet operators, businesses of all sizes and entrepreneurs. The Transit Connect was awarded the International Van of the Year for 2014, so is a true trend-setter in this highly competitive market.

“The Transit Connect sets new standards for compact vans and is the ideal partner for a wide range of businesses,” Delate states. “Ford has taken the proven toughness and dependability of the Transit range and packaged it in a stylish yet compact, highly versatile and agile vehicle that offers smart load space options, advanced technologies and an impressive array of safety and convenience features.

“We’ve combined practicality and low cost of ownership with car-like levels of comfort and specification to create a highly manoeuvrable, robust and flexible vehicle with genuine ability that has appealing looks, great features and excellent value.”

The primary target market for this compact commercial van includes trade customers, ranging from courier companies and those specialising in deliveries, to traditional tradesmen such as plumbers and electricians. It is also perfect for retailers and businesses in the food, hospitality and related industries.

Available in long-wheelbase panel van configuration and Ambiente trim, the Transit Connect offers a spacious and practical load area with a total volume of 3 222 litres. It is capable of carrying a 1 004 kg payload, and has a maximum towing capacity of 1 200 kg – thereby making it one of the most capable and versatile commercial vehicles in its segment.

A single powertrain is offered, comprising the efficient and economical 1.6 TDCi engine. This punchy turbodiesel engine boasts 85kW of power linked to an impressive 285Nm of torque, giving it exceptional load-lugging ability for its working roles. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

With a combined cycle fuel consumption of 4.9l/100km* and a CO₂ emissions rating of 130g/km*, the Transit Connect provides extremely low running costs and total cost of ownership.

The new Transit Connect has been subjected to Ford’s ultra-stringent commercial vehicle testing and durability standards. It covered the equivalent of 5-million kilometers in arduous testing, including at least 400 000km in tough real-world fleet conditions with Transit Connect users.

Developed under the One Ford global product strategy at Ford’s commercial vehicle development centre in Europe, together with the engineering team of Ford Otosan in Turkey, the new Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect models are produced at Ford’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Valencia, Spain.

Both the Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect comes standard with 60 000km service plans (four-year for the diesel and three-year for the petrols), a four-year/120 000km comprehensive warranty, five-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty and three-year/unlimited km roadside assistance.

Service intervals are 20 000 km on the EcoBoost petrol models and 15 000 km on the TDCi diesel derivatives.