Compact Courier Van Completes Overhaul of Ford Transit Range

FRANKFURT – First, it was the top-of-the-line 2.8-ton (2.5-t) Transit, the largest model of Ford’s light-commercial-vehicle range, then the somewhat smaller Custom, followed by the Connect.

Now comes the compact Courier van, the first of its type in the Transit lineup, wrapping up a program that began in September 2012 to renovate, redesign and expand the range.

Ford already has seen positive results from the effort, as the automaker’s share of the LCV segment grew to 10.4% in first-quarter 2014, “the highest number of the company for that period in 16 years,” points out José Manuel Fernandez Pons, in charge of commercial-vehicle marketing for Ford Spain.

Through April, Ford sold about 50,000 commercial vehicles in Europe, up 10% from year-ago.

The new Courier goes on sale next month and will be offered with a choice of three engines, including a highly efficient 95-hp 1.6 TDCi Duratorq diesel rated at 63.5 mpg (3.7 L/100 km) and carbon-dioxide emissions of 97 g/km when speed is limited to 62 mph (100 km/h) and a stop/start system is used.

CO2 emissions reach 100 g/km if speed is not limited but the stop/start system is present and grow to 105 g/km if neither speed is limited nor the stop/start system employed.

Also available is a 75-hp 1.5L diesel averaging 60.2 mpg (3.9 L/100 km) and 103 and 108 g/km CO2 with and without stop/start, respectively.

But Pons says the success of the EcoBoost gasoline engines in Ford cars has led the brand to include the 1.0L EcoBoost as an option for the new Courier. It is rated at 45 mpg (5.2 L/100 km) and 119 and 124 g/km CO2, the latter without stop/start.

All engines come with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

“Do not rule out that the excellent results of this engine also initiate a return to the petrol engine in the LCV segment of the market, reverting the long dominance of diesel engines,” Pons says.

All of the engines enjoy longer service intervals of one year or 30,000 miles (48,000 km), and Ford claims to have optimized the design for ease of maintenance and repair of the vehicle.

To reduce the cost of collision-related repairs and draw lower insurance premiums, the rear bumper consists of several pieces and side-impact protection has been optimized. In addition, the headlights and taillights have been elevated in order to limit damage in an accident.

The standard Ford Easy Fuel system prevents the costly mistake of filling the tank with the wrong fuel.

Ford says its Transit Courier, with a nominal load of 1,455 lbs. (660 kg) and volume capacity of 81 cu.-ft. (2.3 cu.-m), offers 10% more cargo room than its direct competitors, with a bigger opening through its sliding side doors and twin asymmetric rear cargo doors boasting up to a 158-degree opening angle. The load floor also is longer than most other vans in its class at 5.2 ft. (1.6 m).

"When its rivals are fully loaded, our model can still accept (another) 133 bricks or 200 more 1L water bottles,” Pons says.

Competitors in what Ford calls the B-ISV segment (B-sized, Integral Styled Vans) include the Peugeot Bipper, Citroen Nemo and Fiat Fiorino.

Not considered a direct rival is the Renault Kangoo, which is considered a C-segment model and competes more directly with the Transit Connect, the Courier’s big brother.