Ford Transit success hits a high with XXL

Ford's Commercial Vehicle development team, based at the company's Dunton Technical Centre in Essex, is celebrating Ford Transit's status as International Van of the Year 2007 and record sales for the UK in 2006, by creating an unusual one-off limousine – the Transit XXL.

Transit XXL literally stretches the Transit Tourneo passenger vehicle to new lengths and could well be the longest Transit in the world. It uses 'off-the-shelf' Ford Transit components throughout and is based on two short wheelbase Transit Tourneo models which have been joined together to deliver a bespoke 'limo' that carries the driver plus seven passengers in full VIP comfort.

"Ford has a history of building unusual one-off, fun vehicles that have become legends – the Transit Supervan series, our World Rally Transit and most recently the Transit Connect X-Press which used the powertrain of the Focus RS to create a hugely entertaining vehicle," said Steve Kimber, commercial vehicles director, Ford of Britain.

"2006 was an epic year in the history of Britain's favourite van. Transit sales increased by more than 3,000 units to 74,358. In the medium commercial sector Ford sold more than double the number of vehicles of its nearest competitor. Residual values on new Transit have set a new benchmark and so we enter 2007 ready to continue this success story with new additions and derivatives," he said.

Transit XXL demonstrates the Ford Transit's flexibility and capabilities. It measures 7.4m in length and has a wheelbase of 5.9m. This compares to the standard Tourneo length of almost 4.9m and wheelbase of 2.9m.

It also has four full sliding doors – two on each side – while the entire vehicle benefits from privacy glass. It has a floor-to-roof carpeted bulkhead behind the rearmost pair of seats which creates a separate luggage compartment accessible only through the tailgate-style rear door.

Power is from a completely standard Ford 2.2-litre, 130PS Duratorq TDCi engine, though the five-speed gearbox has been specially adapted and tuned for optimum gearing to deliver enhanced mid-range performance. The braking system has also been upgraded and uses self-adjusting, servo-assisted front and rear discs.