car news car tests

Why the choice of a diesel version of the Ford Transit Custom?
For the simple reason that many companies want to deploy new diesel buses before the end of this year.
As of January 1, 2025, these will become a lot more expensive because the tax levy BPM will be added.
For this reason, Ford and more brands are signaling a great interest in diesel buses.
They are still mostly available from stock, so buyers can still drive a BPM-free bus before January 1.

Environmental zone?

The cheaper diesel bus does have a “but” attached to it.
More than 30 cities are introducing an environmental zone on January 1, 2025, where diesel-powered commercial vehicles are no longer welcome.
However, this concerns the older, less clean ones.
For new ones, such as the Ford Transit Custom with emission standard Euro 6.2, there is a transitional arrangement.
They are still allowed to enter these environmental zones until January 1, 2028.

Ford Transit Custom 2.0 Ecoblue

Ecoblue is diesel in Ford’s glossary of terms, or rather the Ford Pro commercial vehicle division.
You can choose from three engine variants.
All three have a displacement of 1,996 cm3.
Power ratings range from 81 kW (110 hp), 100 kW (136 hp) and 125 kW (170 hp).
We drove the middle power version in a Transit Custom Limited, equipped with the optional 8-speed automatic transmission and with double cab.

Tough to see

From the front, this new generation of the Ford Transit Custom is quite tough to look at.
Just put it next to its predecessor and you will immediately see that the grille is considerably bigger and the nose of new Transit Custom is also higher and wider.
In the center of the grille is the new logo with the white letters Ford on a blue oval.
Despite the heftier appearance, air resistance has been reduced 13 percent compared to the previous generation.
The height is under two meters so the Transit Custom fits into most underground parking garages.

Long or short version

The L2 version of the Transit Custom is almost 5.5 meters long, about 40 centimeters longer than the L1.
If you want a double cab version, the long version is preferable.
You then have more than two meters of length in the cargo area, which is accessible through two rear doors.
The sliding doors on the left and right give access to the rear seat.
With the single cab, of course, they give access to the cargo area.

Close to the asphalt

It is noticeable that the Transit Custom stands quite close to the asphalt, which is enhanced by the optional sidebars with sidesteps (running boards).
That low position on the road provides a comparatively low cargo floor for easy loading and unloading.
Optional are the shiny black 17-inch alloy wheels and also the gray Black Platinum striping.
That looks very nice on the body color Agate Black.

Office or canteen

Users of a Ford Transit Custom often also use the cab as an office and canteen.
The new tilt steering wheel, as part of the Mobile Office option package, makes administrative work easier.
You can tilt the steering wheel and then it becomes a stand for tablets and laptops.
Or flat table to make lunch breaks more comfortable.

Flat floor

The new platform enables a seating position similar to that of a regular car, while the flat floor, electronic handbrake, “squircle”-shaped steering wheel and a high-mounted shifter on models with automatic transmission add convenience and comfort in the cabin.

Airbags in the roof

Ford has placed the airbags in the roof, so the dashboard offers plenty of storage space.
A laptop or A4-sized documents can fit in cabinet at the top left.
Below in the center of the dashboard are USB-B and USB-C connections with next to it a compartment for the cell phone with wireless charging function (provided the phone is suitable for it).

Delivery Assist

Package deliverers sometimes make as many as 200 stops a day.
In doing so, a tight schedule is very important.
Delivery Assist (available from October 2024) helps reduce delivery time.
When you activate Delivery Assist and enter parking mode, the Transit Custom automatically turns on the hazard lights and closes all open windows and locks the doors as soon as you leave the van.
Upon returning, you touch the door handle to unlock.
Start with the start button on the dashboard and when you drive off, the hazard lights turn off automatically.

Ford Transit Custom and safety

Convenient and safe is Exit Warning, a Ford Pro feature first seen on the new Transit Custom.
This smart feature warns of approaching road users when you want to get out to avoid hitting a pedestrian or cyclist by a driver’s door swinging open.
The range of driving assistance systems further includes Cross Traffic Assist, Reverse Brake Assist, 360-degree camera and Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go technology for versions with an automatic transmission.

Ford Transit Custom and comfort

Suspension comfort is particularly good for a van; even without a load, the Transit Custom does not bounce over the road surface at all.
For the first time, all versions of the new Ford Transit Custom are equipped with a semi-independent rear suspension.
This not only enables a lowered loading floor, but also raises steering precision, handling and traction to a higher level.

Cargo volume of the Transit Custom

The closed van of the new Ford Transit Custom offers a cargo volume of 5.8 to 9.0^m3, a payload capacity of up to 1,435 kg and a maximum load length of 3.45 meters thanks to the smart load-through feature under the passenger seats.
The Transit Custom also comes in double cab and as a Kombi, all with a choice of standard (L1) or extended (L2) wheelbase.
Furthermore, a braked trailer of up to 2.8 tons is allowed on the tow bar.
With the automatic it is 2.5 tons.

Comprehensive telematics functions

Using Ford Pro Telematics (free for the first year), companies can track where the Transit Custom is driving, track consumption and see maintenance status.
The system also helps reduce fuel and maintenance costs by, for example, sending voice messages to the driver in cases such as excessive idling, hard braking or acceleration, and driving without a seat belt.
Telematics can also send vehicle owners real-time security alerts if the system detects theft, unauthorized use or activity outside set operating hours.

Forsy central touchscreen

Each Ford Transit Custom comes standard with a 13-inch touchscreen, which is angled slightly toward the driver for optimal ease of use.
Through the screen you can operate the latest SYNC 4 communication and information system with built-in modem.
Behind the steering wheel, you’ll see a 12-inch digital instrument cluster.

Diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric

Ford supplies the Transit Custom with a choice of EcoBlue diesel engines with power ratings of 110 hp, 136 hp and 170 hp.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard.
The 136 hp and 170 hp diesel engines can be optionally combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Also, the versions with an automatic transmission are available with intelligent all-wheel drive.
The new Ford Transit Custom Plug-in Hybrid combines a 2.5-liter Atkinson gasoline engine with an 11.8 kWh battery, good for a system output of 233 hp and an all-electric range of up to 54 km.
Extra convenient of the plug-in hybrid version is the ProPower Onboard feature to power external electrical devices via a 2.3 kW power point.
The all-electric E-Transit Custom has a 136 hp, 218 hp or 286 hp electric motor.
The range is up to 325 km with full battery.
By the way, the electric Transit has rear-wheel drive and not front-wheel drive like the diesels and plug-in hybrid.

For all prices of the new Transit Custom, please refer to ford.co.uk.
Please note that the 2025 price list for the diesel versions shows the price including BPM and VAT.
The driven Transit Custom in the mentioned Limited version then comes to a total price of over 70,000 euros!
Of course, as a business, you can deduct the 21% VAT from that.