Special vehicles - Special vehicles on wheels

The American truck for commercial use, the Ford Transit, is moderately popular on the Russian market, inferior to German competitors in both reliability and body survivability. But with the advent of the new generation, as the company assures, consumers will become much more willing to buy this model. Moreover, not only transport companies are taken into account, but also private clients.

Newly built conveyor in Yelabuga

Ford Transit 2016-2017 model year

The manufacturer faithfully follows the One Ford brand concept, which involves selling the global version of the model in all markets with virtually no changes. For Europe, cars are assembled in Turkey, and Russian dealers have at their disposal “graduates” of the domestic line at the Ford Sollers plant in Yelabuga. It is noteworthy that even for the USA, where Transit was not sold at all before, reliably the same specification is offered. However, production in Kansas requires the installation of an automatic transmission, which is not available at the other two production sites.

The new product is produced through a whole cycle, including welding and painting of the body. A clear advantage of localization is a very attractive price, even compared to affordable French light-duty vehicles. Strictly speaking, the car turned out to be cheaper even than itself in its previous reincarnation. Although the range of standard equipment has expanded significantly.

Photo Ford Transit: exterior and interior

Ford Transit minibus on the way

The new body is stronger, being made from high-strength boron steel. In particular, this increased the corrosion resistance of the “shell”, and the official guarantee against through corrosion was a decent 12 years. To prevent bushes and small stones from leaving scratches and chips on the paintwork, the designers dressed the truck in a protective plastic body kit. At the same time, the headlights migrated to higher points, which had a positive effect both on their safety and on their tendency to get dirty in bad weather. Another good news for owners of cars of the previous generation is that the bumpers have a modular design, so that repairs after minor accidents have become less expensive. However, the exterior is powerful not only through practicality. The Ford Motor Company artists did not forget about aesthetics: the front end received the current corporate look, which makes the clumsy hero akin to the elegant models of passenger cars.

The owner of a Ford passenger car will experience even greater déjà vu inside the van. The steering wheel, dashboard, dashboard – everything accurately replicates the decoration of the brand’s sedans, hatchbacks and crossovers.

There can be no complaints about the ergonomics - it is exemplary, and the heated captain's seat is installed like a cargo truck and boasts eight-way adjustment, so visibility is good. Large exterior mirrors with spherical sections also help in maneuvering. It’s nice that two adults can easily sit on the driver’s side, since the gearbox console almost does not protrude beyond the front panel.

Photo of Ford Transit interior

For meals on the go or filling out transport documents, you can lower the middle back, turning it into a convenient table. There is a large storage compartment under the solid sofa. In addition, the new generation remained faithful to the ceiling shelf. Along with the cup holders, the interior architects also included a closable niche in the dashboard visor. By lifting the lid, the driver gains access to USB, AUX connectors and a 12V socket. A 230-volt outlet is available as an option. But what’s missing, even for an extra charge, is navigation. Marketers believed that domestic transport workers were unlikely to shell out money for an expensive information system and would prefer a removable “tablet”.

Technical characteristics of the truck

The interior is strongly reminiscent of Ford sedans and crossovers

The volume of the angular body has increased noticeably, and now the long-wheelbase version can accommodate five Euro pallets at once. “Skinny” Transit absorbs four loaded pallets. Moreover, you can store all this in the body with a forklift either through the rear hinged doors (open to 270º, equipped with magnetic latches) or through the sliding doors. By the way, the side openings have become wider by 25 mm, now this figure has increased to 1300 mm. It’s also worth saying a word about the mediocre base. Such a van formally holds the same four pallets, but the loading length has reached 3 m, and this is one of the most popular length options for building materials.

On the floor in all trim levels, new plastic with a plinth appeared, reliably protecting the metal paint from mechanical damage. The fastening eyes splashed onto the walls, which made it easier to wash the “trough” due to the absence of inconvenient holes. As before, two roof heights are offered. The model’s suspension is spring, regardless of size and configuration, configured for a comfortable ride and easy overcoming of track defects of various sizes.

Loading length increased to 3 meters

L2 H2 parameters:

length – 5531 mm;
width with mirrors / without mirrors – 2059/2474 mm;
height – 2490-2550 mm;
wheelbase – 3300 mm;
gross weight – 3100/3500;
volume of cargo branches – 10 cubic meters. cm (9.5 – with rear/all-wheel drive).

L3 H3 parameters:

length – 5981 mm;
width with mirrors / without mirrors – 2059/2474 mm;
height – 2720-2786 mm;
wheelbase – 3750 mm;
gross weight – 3100/3500;
volume of cargo branches – 13 cubic meters. cm (12.4 – with rear/all-wheel drive).

L4 H3 parameters:

length – 6704 mm;
width with mirrors / without mirrors – 2126/2474 mm;
height – 2746-2781 mm;
wheelbase – 3750 mm;
gross weight – 3500/4600;
volume of cargo branches – 15.1 cubic meters. cm.

What's new in 2020

Ford Transit has undergone a deep restyling.

The new Ford Transit is radically different from last year’s version, both in terms of technology, exterior and interior. Visually, the new minibus is distinguished by an enlarged hexagonal radiator grille in the company’s new corporate style and new head optics.

LED running lights are integrated into the headlight architecture, and in top versions, xenon light is installed instead of halogen.
The front bumper has been completely updated, it has acquired a spoiler and foglights in the base, as well as a central insert to match the color of the grille, depending on the configuration.

Several variants

Front view.

Back view.

In addition, the manufacturer offers several options for the carrying capacity and capacity of the minibus:

for a bus with an average roof height and an average base, the total weight can be 3.1 or 3.5 tons, the volume of the cargo compartment will be 12.4 or 13 cubic meters, the rated load capacity is 735 or 1465 kg;
A Ford Transit with a long wheelbase and medium roof height will carry 1456 kg or 12.4 cubic meters of cargo;
the most spacious minibus with an extra-long wheelbase and a gross weight of 4,600 kg will be able to transport 15 cubic meters or 2,170 kg of cargo.

Utility minibus and Transit passenger buses

Spacious passenger facilities

The new Transit lineup includes a cargo-passenger version called Combi M1. The body parameters correspond to the L2 H2 van, and the interior space is divided between nine seats, including the driver’s (three rows of three seats), and a spacious trunk. The main advantage of the model is the high degree of transformability of the interior: if necessary, you can turn the bus into a truck by partially or completely dismantling the seats. As a free option, a waiver of the third row of seats is offered, which increases the healthy volume of the luggage area, but turns the 8+1 configuration into 5+1. If there is no need for a larger volume of passenger compartment, but a large trunk is needed, then it is advisable to consider purchasing a cargo-passenger truck. It can have any of three wheelbases, and there is a choice of ceiling heights. This machine is more designed for repair teams and delivery services.

Unlike the previous arrival, the new generation has acquired its own variations of the passenger bus. The Ford Sollers plant assembles four modifications of the long-wheelbase Transit with a tall roof for transporting people within the city and over long distances. The entry-level route taxi has an 18+4+1 layout. All seats are located in the direction of travel and are equipped with three-point seat belts. As an alternative, it is proposed to consider the option of a class A “minibus” with a 20+2+1 cabin layout (this includes the “school bus” configuration). Both specifications meet the standards of both urban and intercity routes. The third configuration introduces both forward-facing seats and rear-facing seats – 18+7+1. This choice implies exclusively city trips. There is also a 17-passenger tourist bus with more comfortable seats.

New Transit has become smarter

The previous version of the car could not complain about the lack of electronic systems and driver assistants, but the 2018 Ford Transit is literally packed with them.

Instrument panel with on-board computer.

The new Intelligent Speed Assist system is designed to help the driver maintain the permitted speed. The system is guided by road signs and markings and is physically unable to allow the driver to exceed the permitted speed. How Intelligent Speed Assist will work in our area is a moot point, since our road services do not always place signs and indicators according to the rules.

Duratorq TDCi 2.2 diesel engine: owner reviews, maintenance and repair

Engine Duratorq TDCi 2.2

The line of power units consists of only one 2.2 turbodiesel in three boost levels: 125 hp. and 350 Nm, 135 hp. and 355 Nm, 155 hp. and 385 Nm. This engine migrated from the previous Transit and meets Euro 4 toxicity standards, and not Euro 6, as in Europe. For the sake of environmental friendliness, gasoline engines were allowed to be abandoned. Although many considered this a rash decision, in Russia they are very fond of taking gasoline vans and converting them to gas. In addition, the engine comes with only a six-speed manual transmission. However, this gearbox has proven itself well in the previous generation and pleases with well-chosen gear ratios, with which it is comfortable to drive a loaded truck even in a metropolis. The only drawback is noise and vibration.

The Duratorq TDCi service interval is 20,000 km or 1 year. During normal operation, the unit travels up to half a million kilometers without positive repairs. But the timing chain requires attention, which noticeably stretches over 200 thousand km, and the tensioner does not help the situation. If you do not replace the chain in time, you can pay for it with expensive engine repairs.

Characteristics

All versions of the new Transit are offered with a new 2-liter EcoBlue diesel engine. Main features of this motor:

cast iron cylinder block;
the block head is made of aluminum;
All diesel variants have a variable-displacement turbine;
common rail fuel system with injection pressure of 2000 bar and piezoelectric injectors;
compression ratio - 16.6.

The turbodiesel has two versions.

In Europe, engines are adapted to the Euro-6 standard, but for the Russian market they will be adjusted to the Euro-5 standard and will not be equipped with a neutralizer with urea injection. The engine in our market will produce 105 or 130 horsepower. In Europe there will be a version of the 170-horsepower Transit, but it won’t come to us, it will be quite expensive. And in such a popular place as the transit chain of stores, you can always find spare parts for repairing any version of the Ford engine.

Ford says the new EcoBlue diesel family is 13% more fuel efficient than the old 2.2-litre Duratorq.

Transmission

As a result, a 105-horsepower van with a manual transmission requires no more than 8-8.5 liters per hundred. A 130-horsepower diesel engine requires no more than 9 liters. The 130-horsepower engine is equipped with a 6-speed PowerShift robot, and the weakest diesel engine can be coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Suspension

The suspension on the Ford Transit remains the same - MacPherson strut at the front and a rear beam on leaf springs with gas-filled shock absorbers.

For expensive passenger versions, an adaptive rear air suspension will be offered. Despite such a simple suspension scheme, the car handles at the level of a passenger car, regardless of the load.

How much can you buy in Moscow, available configurations

Transit with cargo chassis

Van:

front-wheel drive, 125 hp – from RUB 1,906,000;
all-wheel drive, 125 hp – from RUB 2,306,000;
rear-wheel drive, 125/135 hp – 2,151,000 rub. / RUB 2,241,000

Route buses:

city bus – 2,105,000 rubles;
tourist bus – RUB 2,141,000.