Ford Transit ECOnetic front three quarters

New Ford Transit ECOnetic gives better mpg

Transit ECOnetic test Review: Mark Bursa

Ford Transit ECOnetic SWB 2.2 TDI 115PS low-roof

What is it?

A green, more fuel-efficient version of the Ford Transit, Britain’s top-selling panel van. Ford has tweaked several areas including bodywork, gear ratios and tyres, to bring down CO2 emissions and increase fuel economy.

What’s hot?

  • Economy increases from 34.9mpg (SWB 280) to 39.2mpg (ECOnetic)…
  • …while CO2 emissions drop from 213g/km to 189g/km
  • There’s the same common-rail diesels with offer excellent low rev torque
  • Slight recalibration of the engine is hardly noticeable
  • Low gear ratios stay, but a longer sixth gives improved motorway mpg
  • Aerodynamic wheel covers and low rolling-resistance tyres help mpg
  • Ford appears to have improved cab noise levels of Mk4 Ford Transit
  • Class-leading cab and dashboard functionality remains unchanged
  • New steering means greater manoeuvrability, especially around town
  • Electronic stability control with hill launch are useful standard features

What’s not?

  • There’s actually not a lot of difference – except…
  • …ECOnetic carries a £280 premium over the standard Tranny
  • 5mpg economy improvement should recoup the extra cost fairly quickly
  • A lot of the ECOnetic performance improvements are down to the driver…
  • …there’s a ‘change-up’ dash indicator to encourage low rev changes
  • This is quite intrusive, though it does encourage better fuel economy
  • It also means there’s no automatic option
  • And there’s only one body option – SWB, low roof…
  • …and no second sliding door option (adds weight, cancels fuel savings)
  • 70mph speed limiter is standard – which might upset some users!
  • Ford still hasn’t fixed the vulnerable roof-mounted loadspace lights…
  • …these could easily be smashed by a tall load or a snug-fitting pallet
  • It can meet Euro V emissions – but at the cost of a £750 particulate filter

What you need to Know

P11D Value: £18,095
Monthly Rental: * £263 + VAT
What will it be worth: ** £n/a
GVW: 2,840kg
Payload: 1,097kg
Loadspace Volume: 6.5cu m
Basic Loadspace Dimensions: 2582mm (L)x1762mm (W)x1430mm (H)
Engine: 2.2-litre turbo diesel
CO2 Emissions: 189g/km
Power/torque: 115PS@3500rpm/300Nm@1800-200rpm
Economy: 39.2mpg

*Monthly contract hire rental generated by Concept Vehicle Leasing. Based on a 36 month lease at 10,000 miles a year, 3+35 payments.

** Trade value of van if purchased after three years and 60,000 miles. (Powered by Deltapoint)

Business Van Manager Road Test Rating

ECOnetic sounds like a high-tech new powertrain, but really it’s just a series of tweaks on a standard Transit (different oil, tyres, wheel trims). And to make it work, you’ve got to drive the Ford Transit ECOnetic economically – short-shifting and keeping the revs below 2,000. If you don’t, that 5mpg saving evaporates. The options list is limited; only the smallest Transit body is available; and the lack of twin side doors will be a problem for many users. But if you can live with its limitations, its savings are worthwhile.

Option prices: Euro V DPF, £750; Visibility pack – heated screen and heated electric mirrors, £175; Alarm, £175; Load area protection kit – MDF rear trim, full-length rubber mat, £150; Satellite Navigation FX system, £945; Bluetooth, £200; Rear parking sensor, £200; Metallic paint, £350.

Read our road test of the latest Euro V Ford Transit ECOnetic van
Click on the link: Ford Transit ECOnetic – now meets Euro 5.

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