Only a couple of weeks after debuting the thinly disguised Tourneo Concept at the Geneva Motor Show, Ford has lifted the covers off the production version of its full-size people carrier.
The new model will make its world premiere at the Birmingham Commercial Vehicle Show in England this April before it goes on sale in Europe and other global markets later this year. The Tourneo is the first model in Ford’s new series of Transit vans.
The new Tourneo will not be offered in the States as Ford is developing a separate Transit lineup for the North America market based on a different rear-wheel drive platform that will be unveiled later this year.
“The bold new Tourneo Custom signals the start of a revolution in Ford’s commercial vehicle range,” said Stephen Odell, CEO of Ford of Europe. “It’s a fantastic-looking people mover – inside and out – and offers outstanding day-to-day, real world practicality as well as being great to drive.”
The front-wheel drive Tourneo Custom will be available in eight or nine seat configurations, and a choice of short (4.97 meters / 195.7-in.) and long wheelbase (5.34 meters / 210.2-in.) versions. Tthe additional length of the LWB model goes to provide extra luggage space behind the third row seats.
Ford says that the Tourneo Custom comes with fully adjustable rear seats that can be easily folded into multiple configurations and removed in segments or even completely. Other highlights include the availability of Ford’s SYNC voice-activated, in-car connectivity system, a rear-view camera and Lane Keeping Alert and Driver Alert systems.
Ford’s large people carrier is offered with an improved version of the company’s 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine with three power ratings: 99hp (100PS), 123hp (125PS) and 153hp (155PS), all of which are linked to a six-speed manual gearbox and come with standard Auto-Start-Stop.
According to the automaker, the Tourneo Custom delivers a combined fuel consumption of 6.9 lt/100 km (34.1mpg US or 40.9mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 182 g/km.
The new Tourneo Custom will be built at Ford’s Turkish plant in Kocaeli.
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