Grow your Business with the Ford Transit

Ford Transit

The Ford Transit with a different look and efficient engine will help you to grow your business

Introduction

Ford produced a range of light commercial vehicles named as Ford Transit since 1965. The Ford Transit mostly used as a cargo van, the Transit also built as a minibus, cutaway van chassis, pickup truck and passenger van. Transit is the third best-selling van of all time with sale of over 8 million units. Since 1965 the Transit has been produced in 4 basic platform generations and many “facelift” version of each generation.

By the end of 20th century the Transit was marketed globally except North America. In 2015 Ford E-Series was replaced by it in North America. The Transit is very popular in many countries and in many countries the term “Transit” is in generic use even for any light commercial van. In Europe the Transit has been the best-selling light commercial vehicle for 40 years. The Transit is now produced in Europe, North America and Asia for buyers from all over the world, while initially it was designed for Europe only.

Ford Transit Generation

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In ‘Motor Trends 2015’ the Transit won second place for the ‘Truck of the Year’ award in America. The Transit is the best-selling van in United States including the minivan sales. The Transit drives Ford's 57 % share of the full-size van market in the US.

Taunus Transit (1953-1965)

The first Transit van was introduced in Germany in 1953. It was then known as FK 1000, where FK refers to ‘Ford Koln’ and 1000 is for carry the 1000 kg. It was available in 3-door and 4-door van body style. Initially 1.3-litre straight-4 engine was included in it. The capacity of engine was enlarged to 1.5-litres in 1955. This vehicle was called the Ford Taunus Transit since 1961. In 1965  the production of this model ceased.

Taunus Transit 1953

The British model produced from 1965 to 1978 was tagged as “Mark 1”. Since 1965 there has been four basic platforms, many upgrades and facelifts referred to range of “Mark” Numbers.

Ford's own historical look back at Transit production, published for the launch of the 1994 model, avoids the issue by referring to generations of Transit by years produced.

First generation (1965-1978)

The Transit Mark 1 or the first generation Transit was introduced in 1965 in United Kingdom. The Transit Mark 1 van was initially produced in Berkshire, England at Ford’s Langley facility but due to large demands the production was shifted to Southampton until its closure in 2013.

A mid-engine forward control van the Ford Thames 400E was replaced by the introduction of the Transit. Rootes group’s Commer, BMC J2 and J4 were competitors of Ford Thames 400E.

Ford Transit Mark 1

The Transit has also been produced in Turkey and Belgium. From the mid-1970s to end of 1981 the Transits were also produced for local market in Amsterdam. In this factory total 8000 units were produced in 6 years.

The Essex V4 petrol engines 1.7 L and 2.0 L were used in the United Kingdom. By using relatively short V-4 engines Ford were able to minimise the additional length necessitated to place the engine ahead of the driver. Perkins diesel engine with maximum output of 32kW (43 HP) was also offered. The version with diesel engine had a longer bonnet. The version with 3.0 L V6 diesel engine was used as an ambulance and a police van. 

Ford Transit Engine

The straight-6 engine was used in Australia in 1973. A famous British show ‘Top Gear’ told police have reported that in 95% of all robberies the criminals used Ford Transit type vehicle in 1970s.

Engines

• Petrol engines (Pre-Facelift 1965-1978)
• 1.3 L Taunus V4 1288 cc
• 1.5 L Taunus V4 1498 cc
• 1.7 L Taunus V4 1699 cc
• 1.7 L Essex V4 1663 cc
• 2.0 L Essex V4 1996 cc
• 3.0 L Essex V6 2994 cc
• 3.3 L I6 3277 cc (Australia)
• Diesel engines (Pre-Facelift 1965-1978)
• 1.7 L Perkins I4 1760 cc
• 2.5 L I4 York
• Petrol engines (Facelift 1978-1986)
• 1.6 Kent/Crossflow I4
• 1.6 L Pinto I4
• 2.0 L Pinto I4
• 2.8 L Cologne V6
• 3.0 L Essex V6
• 4.1 L I6 (Australia)
• Diesel engines (Facelift 1978-1986)
• 2.5 L York I4

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Facelift (1978-1986)

A facelifted version usually known as the Transit Mark 2 but within Ford codenamed as “Transit 1978 ½ “ was launched in March 1978. In this version the Pinto engine replaced the Essex V4 engine. The police vans and ambulance van used the Essex engine version 3.0 L V6. 

Ford Transit Mark 2

This version was available in numerous body styles such as 2-door pickup, 2-door chassis cab, 2-door box van, 3 -door van, 4-door minibus, 4-door crew bus and 4-door van all  available in short-wheelbase (2690 mm) and long-wheel base (3000 mm) versions.

The Transit Clubmobil was introduced by the Hymer company only for European market in 1981. A four-wheel drive version was added to the German market in 1982.

Second generation (1986-2003)

In January 1986 second generation Transit platform was introduced. The codename for second generation of the Transit within Ford was VE6. It was notable for its design the “one-box” design. It was available in 3-door/4-door van, 2-door pickup, 4-door minibus, 4-door crew cab, 2-door chassis cab and 2-door box van body style. 

Ford Transit Second Generation

Due to emissions regulations Cologne 2.9 EFI V6 replaced the high performance 3.0 Essex V6 petrol engine.

Engines

• 2.0 L I4
• 2.9 L V6
• 3.0 L Essex V6
• 2.5 L DI I4

Facelift (1994-2003)

In 1994 a major facelift to Transit gave a new dashboard, and 2.0 L DOHC 8-valve engine. In 1995 Ford released the Transit Hallmark for the 30th anniversary of Transit, which was a limited edition model. In Vietnam it was built until 2003 and in Europe the VE83 Transit was available until 2000.

Ford Transit 1994 Interior

With an electronic fuel pump the turbo diesel version was introduced, with maximum output of 63 kW (85 PS), 74 kW (100 PS) and 85 kW (115 PS).

Third generation (2000-2013)

In 2000, the 2000 Transit was introduced; it was the third generation with ‘New Edge’ designs. “Triton” was the code name used within Ford for third generation. The new Edge design was available in both the front-wheel drive as well as rear-wheel drive. This version was available with 5-speed manual and 6-speed manual (face lift only) transmission.

In 2001 this version won the International Van of the Year. With the launch of the HPCR 2.0 litre in the FWD with maximum output of 92 kW (125 PS) the first high pressure common Rail diesel engine was introduced in the Transit in 2002.

Facelift (2006-2013)

In 2006 the third generation Transit received a facelift to the body, including a new interior featuring the gearstick on dashboard, new front and rear lights, and new corporate radio design of Ford. One new engine from the Ford Ranger replaced the old petrol engine; the capacity was extended from 2.0 litres to 2.2 of front-wheel drive diesel engine.

Ford Transit in 2008

In Mid-2006 the “Sports Van” was launched with maximum output of 96 kW (130 PS) engine. In late-2007 a new engine with maximum output of 103 kW (140 PS) for front-wheel drives and with VMT6 6-speed manual transmission was introduced.

In this version the choices of front-wheel drive/rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive/four-wheel drive were available.

Engines

• Pre-Facelift 2000-2006
• 2.0 L I4
• 2.3 L I4
• 2.2 L Duratorq TDCi I4
• 2.3 L  Duratec I4
• 2.4 L  Duratorq TDCi I4
• 3.2 L  Duratorq TDCi I5
• Facelift 2006-2013
• 2.3 l Petrol, 107 kW (146 PS); 2006–2014
• 2.2 l Diesel, 63 kW (85 PS); 2006–2014
• 2.2 l Diesel, 81 kW (110 PS); 2006–2008
• 2.2 l Diesel, 85 kW (115 PS); 2008–2014
• 2.2 l Diesel, 96 kW (130 PS); 2006–2007
• 2.2 l Diesel, 103 kW (140 PS); 2006–2014
• 2.4 l Diesel, 74 kW (100 PS); 2006–2014
• 2.4 l Diesel, 85 kW (115 PS); 2006–2014
• 2.4 l Diesel, 103 kW (140 PS); 2006–2014
• 3.2 l Diesel, 147 kW (200 PS); 2007–2014

Fourth generation (2013-Present)

At the North American International Auto Show the fourth generation of  the Transit was introduced in early 2013. In this generation the available body styles are cargo van, passenger van, chassis cab, cutaway van. From Kocaeli province of Turkey the Transits are produced and supply for Europe. For growing export markets Ford announced a new production centre in Spain in February 2015.

Ford produced a Mid-size front wheel drive model, branded Transit/Tourneo Custom. The intensions were to compete with Volkswagon Transporter T5 and Mercedes-Benz Vito/Viano vehicles.

Ford Transit 2013 to Present

A full size rear-wheel drive version was produced to replace the Ford E-Series. The freestar minivan was replaced by E-Series and front-wheel drive V347 Transit in Mexico in 2007. For Durability testing and evaluation purposes the Ford loaned examples of V347 and V348 Transit.

Dimensions

Length	217.8-266.1 inches (5532.1-6758.9 mm)
Width	80.8-83.7 inches (2052.3-2126 mm)
Height	82.2-110.1 inches (2087.9-2796.5 mm)

Engines

• Petrol engines
• 2.0 L EcoBoost I4 (china only)
• 2.3 L Duratec I4 (Europe only)
• 3.7 L Ti-VCT V6 (North America only)
• 3.5 L EcoBoost V6 (North America only)
• Diesel engines
• 2.0 L Duratorq TDCi I4 (China only)
• 2.2 L Duratorq TDCi I4 (Europe only)
• 2.4 L Duratorq TDCi I4 (Europe only)

3.2 L Duratorq TDCi/Power Stroke I5 (All markets)