New diesel for Ford Transit
BY DAVID HASSALL | 29th Nov 2011
The new 2.2-litre four-cylinder TDCi – similar to the engine in the new Ranger ute – will be standard across the entire range, and offered in two states of tune, with the more powerful version replacing the current 2.4-litre Duratorq diesel in rear-wheel-drive variants.
Fuel consumption for the Transit 280S one-tonne van has been lowered by 11 per cent to 7.2L/100km, with CO2 emissions dropping similarly to 189g/km – figures that match the current ECOnetic variant, which has consequently been discontinued.
The ECOnetic model was introduced in June 2010 and used different engine calibration, low-rolling-resistance tyres, aerodynamic wheel covers and a gearshift recommendation indicator to produce better environmental performance, but was clearly not a commercial success.
From January, Transits with front-wheel drive will get the 2.2 TDCi with 92kW of power and 330Nm of torque – 7kW and 30Nm more than the current 2.2-litre Duratorq.
Rear-wheel-drive variants will get a more highly boosted version developing 114kW and 385Nm – an increase of 11kW and 10Nm over the outgoing 2.4-litre unit.
Transit vans continue to be priced from $35,990 (plus on-road costs) for the front-drive short-wheelbase model and $39,490 for the rear-drive version.
Ford Australia CEO and president Bob Graziano said: “I’m certain our Transit customers will welcome the arrival of this new 2.2 TDCi engine and its many benefits.
“The additional power and torque will make driving more enjoyable, and the increased efficiency is sure to make a difference at the bowser.”Transit is the fourth-highest-selling van in Australia this year, but with a 7.2 per cent share of the segment it sells fewer than a quarter of the segment leaders – Hyundai’s iLoad and Toyota’s HiAce.
Sales are down 10.8 per cent to the end of October, in line with the overall segment trend.
