A van that works hard and looks good doing it. The Ford Transit Custom Sport adds muscle, style and loads of tech to SA’s best-selling van range. From bold stripes to a 13-inch touchscreen and 1 023kg payload, this van is built for business and lifestyle.
A large chunk of commercial vehicles in South Africa are bakkies, but not to be excluded are small to medium vans. Ford’s Transit Custom range is the most popular in South Africa and now the brand has added a special edition Sport model to the lineup.
According to Sunil Sewmohan, Executive Director of Product Marketing for Ford South Africa, Transit Custom Sport buyers are typically sole traders or owner-operators, as well as customers looking for an exceptionally spacious and practical vehicle to suit their adventurous and lifestyle-oriented requirements.
Available only in short wheelbase configuration, the Transit Custom Sport is distinguished from the existing commercial-oriented long wheelbase Base model through several exterior changes. The exterior comes with a sport body kit, honeycomb sport grille, rear spoiler and 17-inch multi-spoke matte black alloy wheels. Also fitted are dual racing stripes that extend from the front bumper over the bonnet, along the full extent of the roof and down the rear twin barn doors.
A van with a difference
The Transit Custom Sport is powered by an updated version of Ford’s 2.0-litre Single Turbo EcoBlue diesel four-cylinder engine. In this form it produces 125kW and 390Nm of torque – increases of 25kW and 30Nm over the Transit Custom Base. An eight-speed automatic transmission delivers drive to the front wheels. The Sport has four selectable Drive Modes - Normal, Eco, Slippery, Tow/Haul and Sport.
The driver’s seat benefits from 6-way power adjustment, including for lumbar support, while the passenger seat has 4-way manual adjustment. Also present on the inside is a 13‑inch landscape touchscreen, equipped with Ford’s SYNC®4 communication, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is complemented by a 12-inch instrument cluster with an eight-inch configurable display.
The van is 5 050mm long with a load compartment measuring 2 602mm long up to the bulkhead and 1 392mm wide between the wheel arches. With a maximum load volume of 5.8m3, it can carry up to three standard Euro pallets with a payload of up to 1 023kg. The Transit Custom’s 2500kg tow rating for a braked trailer is unchanged.
The extensive list of drivers assist technologies includes ABS brakes, stability programme with traction control, hill launch assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist, reverse brake assist, evasive steer assist, pre-collision assists with autonomous emergency braking and collision mitigation.
The list is further enhanced with adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and assist, driver alert with impairment monitor, lane keeping aid, roll over mitigation, speed assistance with speed sign recognition, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. In addition to the roof-mounted front passenger airbag, the van also has five airbags: driver’s front airbag plus dual side curtain and side seat airbags.
How does it drive?
Vans don’t generally have an expansive way of driving due to their size and bulky (or boxy) nature, which is purpose-built to haul cargo. From behind the wheel, the seating position is slightly higher to give an unobstructed view of the road thanks to the smaller bonnet.
When we drove it, the van was filled to the brim with equipment and educational materials for Ford’s annual Rally to Read initiative, which obstructed the view in the rear-view mirror. Luckily, the rear-view camera made up for it.
The engine has more than sufficient torque for overtaking when needed, even with cargo loaded in the rear. The 215/60R17 tyres ride well with very limited road noise, which is largely down to great cabin insulation. The eight-speed transmission is quick shifting and assists with positive fuel consumption figures as the gears progress.
The Transit Custom Sport van is an option for those that don’t want the ‘boringness’ associated with the ‘white van’, but instead an option with appeal. Additionally, it comes with a fully decked range of features for the price.
Spec, pricing and aftersales
Transit Custom Sport Short Wheelbase Van - R938 000
The price includes a 6-year/90 000km Ford Optional Service Plan, four-year/120 000km Ford warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty. In addition, over the counter (OTC) parts and service parts warranty (SPW) are covered for two-year/unlimited distance.
Customers have the option of purchasing Ford Protect Service or Maintenance Plan upgrades up to eight years or 165 000km. The warranty can be extended up to seven years or 200 000km, while the Roadside Assistance can be extended for an additional one or two years.
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