2020 has been a big year so far for the van market as demand for recreational vehicles (RV) and panel vans has spiked to record highs amid the distancing measures brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
With the 2021 Transit, Ford is looking to appeal to both the RV and traditional van market by offering new Adventure Prep Package for cargo or crew van, RV Prep Package for cargo van, updated Motorhome Prep Package for cutaway, as well as Parcel Delivery and Livery packages.
The Motorhome Prep Package now adds Adaptive Cruise Control and the option of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine designed to support high frontal area conversions like larger motorhomes.
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The all-new RV Prep Package includes driver-assist features including a side-sensing system and Adaptive Cruise Control, as well as a heavy-duty trailer tow offering. Upgrades consist of front fog lamps, standard four-way manual swivel driver and passenger seats, and an eight-speaker sound system.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, what you really want is the Adventure Prep Package which bundles together popular camper van options including all-wheel drive, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, 3.73:1 limited-slip differential rear axle, heavy-duty front axle and privacy glass.
For the interior, the pack brings an 8-inch color touch screen with SYNC 3 and dual USB ports, power point, and dual absorbent glass mat batteries. As for safety, Adaptive Cruise Control, reverse and side-sensing systems, and Blind Spot Information System also come standard.
Customers looking for Transit work vans can order the new Parcel Delivery Package offering improved access to the cargo compartment via 50/50 hinged rear doors with a wide 253-degree opening and full interior lighting, and deleted armrests from both the driver and passenger seats to further improve cargo access.
There’s also a new Livery Package that targets the premium transportation market with a ready-made configuration focused on comfort and style. Available for Transit passenger van XLT, the pack comes with 10-way power seats finished in ebony leather seating surfaces for all passengers, power sliding side door, HID headlamps, full privacy glass and 16-inch silver wheels.
Separately, all 2021 Ford Transit vans up to 9,500 pounds (4,309 kg) GVWR get an electronic parking brake upgrade that creates a 50 percent wider clear aisle between the front seats, improving the driver’s access to the cargo area. Furthermore, an optional center console with right-side shifter further improves walkthrough and offers more than 7 inches of additional driver legroom. Finally, the overhead shelf is now optional, offering more clearance when standing.
On the outside, all 2021 Transit models gain a standard honeycomb mesh grille, three new exterior colors and new wheel choices. Production starts this fall at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri.