Rally-Inspired Ford MS-RT Transit Custom And Transit Connect Hit European Markets

Come September, you can order your MS-RT Transit Custom or Transit Connect from your local Ford Transit Center in Europe.

Both vans feature sporty styling inspired by the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s Fiesta WRC car, while still retaining all the practicality and durability that you’d need from these types of vehicles – not to mention the full Ford warranty.

“With stunning, authentic motorsport design and – for the Transit Custom – the option to personalize with a huge range of head-turning colours, the MS-RT Transits are like no other vans on the road,” said Brendan Lyne, Ford of Europe Commercial Vehicles exec. “MS-RT conversions mean our motorsport-loving customers can mix business with pleasure, safe in the knowledge that their modified vehicle is fully supported by Ford.”

The two models come with restyled grilles and redesigned front fascias with more aggressive-looking air intakes, integrated fog lights and a sporty splitter.

Related: Ford Applies The ‘Active’ Treatment To Transit Connect And Tourneo Connect In Europe

Moving on to the sides, you’ll notice the wide wheel arch extensions hovering above the bespoke 18-inch OZ Racing anthracite alloys and complementing the sporty side skirts that add to the lower profile.

As for the rear, there’s an integrated diffuser element, a roof spoiler and, in the case of the Transit Custom, a twin-pipe sports exhaust (the Connect gets a distinctive quad-exhaust system), while buyers can specify optional Ceramic Black exhaust tips.

Also available are colors from Ford’s SVO range, to go with optional decal kits resulting in more distinctive liveries.

Then there’s the interior, which houses handcrafted MS-RT Nappa leather and suede seats, MS-RT sports steering wheel with carbon fiber inlays, and MS-RT branded instrument clocks and floor mats. Standard features include sat-nav, rear-view camera, bi-xenon headlights, plus the SYNC3 color touchscreen and a FordPass Connect modem with Wi-Fi connectivity for up to 10 devices.

So, is it all show and no go? Well, it depends on how you look at it. Seen as how these are vans, the fact that the MS-RT Transit Custom comes with a 185 PS (182 HP) 2.0-liter EcoBlue engine with a hefty 415 Nm (306 lb-ft) of torque isn’t bad at all. You also get a choice of either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox.

The MS-RT Transit Connect meanwhile is powered by a 120 PS (118 HP) 1.5-liter EcoBlue unit, with 270 Nm (200 lb-ft) of torque. You can have this model with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed auto.