Ford Transit Connect Limited Review
Introduction
The Ford Transit Connect Limited is Ford’s mid-to-high spec small van for the discerning owner-operator, sitting above the entry-level Leader and Trend and featuring long list of creature comforts. Can this showpony graft like a workhorse? Tim Campbell puts it to the test.
Background
When Ford looked to replace their ageing Escort and Fiesta van in 2002, they looked to a larger cubic capacity product and hence the Transit Connect was born.
The old vans were produced in the UK but Ford’s push for a greater rationalisation of manufacturing plants meant to the production was moved to Otosan in Turkey.
A facelift model was launched in 2009 as well as introducing the vehicle to the US market. In 2012, the second generation Transit Connect was launched and at the same time production was shifted to Valencia in Spain.
Then in 2019 Ford updated the product for perhaps, the final time.
Cab and Interior
The Transit Connect cab has Ford written all over it, sharing many of the dashboard layout and features found in the whole “van family”.
Despite the extensive use of black around the cab, the large front windscreen and good sized windows help to make the interior feel spacious.
The dashboard layout is very clear and there are plenty of storage areas including and the lights dial is a little out of the way.
Inside the cab there’s a DAB radio, USB, Bluetooth and 4.2″ TFT screen as well as electric front windows, heated drivers and single passenger seat. The in-cab temperature is controlled via the manual air conditioning and the four spoke leather trimmed steering wheel is houses the multi-functional switches.
Ford Transit Connect Limited Specification
The Transit Connect Limited has a high level of equipment considering its not the top of the range. Outside the vehicles boasts adaptive cornering fog lights, body coloured mirrors, handles and side body mouldings. Automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers and rear parking sensors are also standard with 16″ alloy wheels finishing off the effect.
Ford Transit Connect Limited engines and driveline
The Transit Connect Limited L1 is available with only one engine Ford’s 1.5 litre EcoBlue rated at 120PS ( 88kW) with 270Nm of torque developed between 1750-2000rpm. Behind the engine sits a six speed manual gearbox with an eight speed automatic as an option. Fuel figures and emissions figures show a combined mpg of 56.5 and CO2 emissions of 130g/km, currently based on NEDC.
Transit Connect dimensions
The Short wheelbase Connect has an interior load length of upto 1786mm and this is increased to 3000mm if the optional load through facility is specified. The 2.9 cubic meter body is 1543mm wide and the height is 1269mm with the width between the wheelarches at 1248mm. Outside the side load door is 612mm ( 433mm with a bulkhead) wide and 1228mm high, the rear cargo doors are 1248mm wide and 1202mm high.
Transit Connect payload and weights
The Transit Connect Limited 200 L1 has a gross vehicle mass of 2245kgs allowing for a 718kg payload meaning the kerb mass is 1528kgs, if you are towing then you will be interested to know the Gross Train Mass of 3590kgs.
Ford Transit Connect Limited Costs and availability
The list price of the Transit Connect Limited L1 is £19,875 and the van we had an test had four options totally £1280.
- Metallic Paint £500
- Sat Nav ICE Pack 9 £780
- Full Steel bulkhead with load through hatch £0
- Seat pack 31 £0
- All prices exc VAT
