Iconic Ford Transit 'goes green' with new ECOnetic model

Ford's ECOnetic low CO2 technology is coming to Ford's most popular commercial vehicle icon, the Ford Transit. On sale later this year, the new Transit ECOnetic is based on the front-wheel drive Transit 280 panel van with short wheelbase and 2.2-litre 115PS Duratorq TDCi engine. Target fuel economy is 39.2mpg, while average CO2 emissions are a best in class 189 g/km.

Following the launch of ECOnetic models in Ford's Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo passenger car ranges, the company is now committed to continuing this affordable low CO2 approach in the commercial vehicle market. In addition to the new Transit ECOnetic, an ECOnetic version of its compact workmate, the Fiesta Van, will also go on sale later this year.

Steve Kimber, commercial vehicles director, Ford of Britain, said: "We appreciate that our commercial vehicle customers have a clear interest in saving fuel and lowering their cost of ownership. At the same time, environmental friendliness is also growing in importance for them, and with the new Transit ECOnetic they can achieve both."

Transit ECOnetic – what's different?

Optimised rolling resistance tyres (215/75R16) and low friction oil
Green shift indicator light
Modified engine calibration
Standard 70mph speed limiter
Improvements over the standard 115PS 280S of 24 g/km CO2
New low-drag wheel covers

Available as an option, a closed-loop, coated Diesel Particulate Filter (cDPF) enables Transit ECOnetic to satisfy the Euro Stage V emissions standards. The 115PS engine reaches its peak power at 3,500rpm, and delivers a maximum torque figure of 300Nm at 1,800 to 2,000rpm.

The Transit ECOnetic features the Durashift six-speed manual transmission (VMT-6). This offers a wider range of available gear ratios over the prior Durashift five-speed transmission, allowing better fuel economy at all speeds, while the power and torque upgrade offers rewarding performance on demand. The 'shorter' gearing in first gear allows for improved pull-away performance, while the 'longer' gearing in top provides improved highway fuel economy (around 10 per cent better compared with the combined NEDC figures), with reduced engine revs for a range of speeds and loads for the standard Transit configuration. For the ECOnetic version, longer gearing has been achieved through the fitment of a 4.36 final drive ratio.

Standard on Transit ECOnetic is Ford's Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system, including Hill Launch Assist (HLA). It also has a generous array of standard equipment, including the Ford Audio 6000 unit as well as load box safety equipment, including a full steel bulkhead and solid tie down hooks. Additional features, such as a trip computer (to monitor fuel performance), rear parking sensors and a new rear view camera with overhead seven-inch colour display, can also be ordered.

The Transit ECOnetic is as practical as any Transit. It offers 1,097kg gross payload (the standard Transit 280S van is 1,092kg), and the same load box volume of 6.5 cubic metres – using the SAE method of volume calculations.

Detail engineering for the Transit ECOnetic included reducing the availability of the heaviest options such as a second sliding door. However, all standard and optional safety and comfort features are available.