Ford Pro has unveiled a new version of the Ford Transit commercial van. The new Transit Courier will be available in Europe with a range of legacy engines later this year, and an electric version, the E-Transit Courier, is to follow in 2024. All models will be built by Ford Otosan in Craiova, Romania. (Ford has not yet announced plans to bring the E-Transit Courier to the US.)
The new E-Transit Courier may paradoxically be described as a larger version of a smaller van. The Courier variant is smaller than the E-Transit and E-Transit Custom, but the new Courier “delivers 25 percent more load volume than the outgoing model”—some 2.9 cubic meters, which allows it to accommodate two Euro pallets. There’s also a new load-through bulkhead feature, which enables customers to carry items such as planks or pipe over 2.6 meters long. Maximum payload for the electric version is 700 kg, and maximum towing weight is 750 kg.
At this point, Ford isn’t saying much about the E-Transit Courier’s powertrain. We do know that it will feature a 100 kW motor, one-pedal driving, 11 kW AC charging and 100 kW DC fast charging. It comes with a year of complimentary access to Ford’s BlueOval Charge Network, which is set to include 500,000 public chargers by 2024, and supports Plug & Charge functionality. Ford Pro Charging offers an end-to-end solution including hardware installation and charge management software.
The new E‑Transit Courier is “fully integrated with Ford Pro’s platform of software and connected services.” Subscription-based Connected Navigation delivers updates on traffic, parking and charging and local hazards. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility are standard, as are a suite of driver assistance systems, always-on connectivity and wireless software updates, and various vehicle security features.
“E-Transit Courier moves its segment up a level with uncompromised EV performance, higher load capacity and fully connected support including end-to-end charging solutions, Ford Pro E‑Telematics and uptime-boosting FORDLiive,” said Hans Schep, General Manager, Ford Pro, Europe. “Ford Pro’s long-standing market leadership gives us unrivalled insight into customers’ needs, and means we can help them get big productivity from their compact vans with more connectivity and capability than ever before.”
Source: Ford Pro