Sometimes, you don’t need a big van! The Ford Transit Connect is an excellent, reliable small van in the same category as the VW Caddy or the Peugeot Partner and its cousin, the Citroen Berlingo. Filled with functionality and innovative, new technology, the Transit Connect is a great everyday solution for people who need a van that’s compact but spacious.
Transit Connect (Panel) Van or DCiV
The Transit Connect is available either as a panel van, just called a van by Ford, or as a DCiV (Double Cab-in-Van, double cab, or crew cab). While the van is the best choice for those who primarily need to carry cargo, the DCiV is perfect for people who have extra passengers too. And as the Transit Connect comes in two different wheelbase lengths — Short L1 and Long L2 — you’ve got some flexibility to get the best configuration for you. While the panel van seats the driver and one or two passengers, the double cab / DCiV seats five people in total.
The van has a full-width steel bulkhead, and the DCiV has a moveable, full-height and full-width mesh bulkhead. If you need something more solid, it’s possible to have a different bulkhead fitted by a third party. All models have cargo tie-down hooks in the loadspace to help you secure whatever it is you’re carrying.
Engines, Transmissions, and Drive Systems
Transit Connect engines are available in both diesel and petrol models. There’s a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine with 100hp, and there are also three 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel engines: 75hp, 100hp, and 120hp. The gearbox is a 6-speed manual as standard on most models, but it is possible to get an 8-speed automatic diesel depending on the exact configuration. The Transit Connect is front-wheel drive (FWD), and it’s possible to upgrade to Ford’s mechanical limited-slip differential to enhance grip and stability.
The fuel tank holds 60 litres whether it’s petrol or diesel, and the diesel engines also come with an AdBlue tank of 17 litres. This helps to reduce pollution from nitrogen oxide emissions, and it’s easy to refill yourself. Which you won’t need to do very often!
Transit Connect Body Lengths and Dimensions
As mentioned above, the Transit Connect is available in two wheelbase lengths. There’s also the option of a fantastic load-through bulkhead on the panel van; this allows long items to be loaded through a hole in the back of the outer passenger’s seat. It lets you carry items of up to 3.0 metres long in the L1 van and up to 3.4 metres in the L2. It does mean, however, that the outer passenger seat can no longer accommodate a passenger, so be aware of that!
L1 – Short Wheelbase
Overall length: 4425mm
Overall height: 1830mm
(DCiV: 1819mm)
Wheelbase: 2662mm
Loadspace length: 1786mm to bulkhead
(DCiV: 1394mm)
Loadspace height: 1269mm
(DCiV: 1237mm)
Loadspace width: 1543mm
(DCiV: 1533mm)
Load volume: 2.6m3
(DCiV: 1.2m3)
L2 – Long Wheelbase
Overall length: 4825mm
Overall height: 1828mm
(DCiV: 1820mm)
Wheelbase: 3062mm
Loadspace length: 2152mm
(DCiV: 2164mm)
Loadspace height: 1269mm
(DCiV: 1267mm)
Loadspace width: 1496mm
(DCiV: 1533mm)
Load volume: 3.2m3
(DCiV: 1.6m3)
The overall width (with mirrors unfolded) is 2137mm; if you need to get into a tighter space, you can fold the mirrors in for an overall with of 1967mm. Loadspace width between the wheel arches is 1249mm on the van and 1193mm on the DCiV.
GVWs and Payload
The GWV is the gross vehicle weight (or gross vehicle mass / GVM, as Ford call it), and that refers to the total, combined, permitted weight of the van including the van itself, the payload, the driver, fuel, and any passengers. The Transit Connect has a GVM of 2030-2501kg on the van and 2255-2445kg on the DCiV.
For a small van, the Transit Connect has an impressive payload: up to 978kg for the van and 788kg for the DCiV. These figures include the High Payload version of the van (not the DCiV) that’s available on the Leader and Trend trims. And the payload, in case you were wondering, is the maximum permitted weight of cargo that you can carry, usually excluding the driver but including any passengers.
Transit Connect Specifications and Trims
There are five (yes, five) different trim levels for the Ford Transit Connect. Leader is the base, then there’s Trend, then Limited, and then it branches out into Sport and Active. However, Limited, Sport, and Active are only available in the van. If you’re after a DCiV, you’ll have to choose between Leader and Trend. The individual specs of all five trims are as follows:
Leader includes:
- DAB with Bluetooth, USB connectivity, MP3 capability
- Electric front windows
- Overhead stowage
- Kerbside load door on the van
- Twin side load doors on the DCiV
- Remote central locking
- Steering column adjustable for rake and reach
- Audio controls on the steering wheel
- Capless refuelling system (Ford Easy Fuel)
- Spare wheel
- Air-conditioning as an optional upgrade
Trend includes (in addition to Leader):
- DAB radio with 4.2” display, USB, AUX and MP3 capability, Bluetooth, Voice Control, privacy mode
- Driver’s seat adjustable for height
- Easyclean plastic cargo-floor liner (van)
- Front fog lights
- Front interior light
- Front bumper in the body colour
- Rear bumper end caps in the body colour
- Electric and heated door mirrors
- Quickclear heated windscreen
- Air-conditioning as an optional upgrade
Limited features (in addition to Trend):
- 16” 5×2-spoke alloys wheels
- Seat trim in full leather
- Air-conditioning (manual)
- Cruise control with speed limiter
- Heated front seats
- Ford Power starter button
- Multi-function steering wheel with leather trim
- Mouldings, door handles, and mirrors in the body colour
- Front fog lights with static cornering
- Electric and heated door mirrors with power fold on lock
- Parking-distance sensors (rear)
The Sport trim includes (in addition to Limited):
- 17” 5×2-spoke alloy wheels
- Partial leather seat trim (red stitching)
- 16” 5×2-spoke alloys wheels
- Sports styling kit with stripes, roof rails, spoilers
- Rear bumper in the body colour
- Chromed rear bumper moulding
Finally, the Active trim includes (in addition to Limited):
- 17” 5-spoke alloy wheels
- 6” touchscreen display with DAB, Ford’s SYNC 3, MP3 capability, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Voice Control, diversity antenna
- Unique Active trim and front-door scuff plates
- Increased ride height of 24mm front, 9 mm rear
- Body-colour mouldings, wheel arches, and door mirrors
- Active front grille (carbon black)
Options and Upgrades
Ford offers plenty of extra and upgrade options for the Transit Connect from a glazed tailgate for the DCiV to a Wheelchair Access Conversion Pack for the van. There are also some special paint colours available in addition to the standard white and blue; you can go for metallic paint in a range of great shades including Sedona Orange and Moondust Silver.
At Swiss Vans, we also offer our amazing WASP upgrade pack for the Transit Connect, so you can add affordable style to your van with gorgeous alloys, a front splitter, and a rear spoiler.
Ford Transit Connect Finance
Whether you want to buy outright or arrange a finance agreement, we can help. We always have great deals on cash sales and Ford Transit Connect lease arrangements, so give our helpful sales team a call today to find out more about lease purchase, hire purchase (HP), finance lease, or contract hire. The team will also be happy to answer any questions you might have. They can recommend a smaller alternative if the Transit Connect is too big (the Ford Transit Courier), make a suggestion of something bigger if the Transit Connect is too small (the Ford Transit Custom), or get things moving if the Transit Connect is just right
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