Ford Transit Custom Trail off-road van preview
Introduction
The Ford Transit Custom Trail is the new off-road primed van from Ford UK. As well as featuring a range of new styling cues, the Transit Custom Trail features a limited slip diff and tailored ESC settings to improve traction in tough working conditions.
“The Active and Trail models demonstrate how versatile and capable the Transit range can be,” explained Hans Schep, general manager, Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Europe. “From businesses that operate off the beaten track to families who want a vehicle as adventurous as they are, there is a Transit to suit every need.”
Bespoke off-road appearance
The Ford Transit Custom Trail isn’t any ordinary van, and that is clear from the outset thanks to a very distinctive oversized ‘Raptor Style’ front grille with the large ‘FORD’ letters in a matte black. Further use of this black cladding can be found around the front and rear lower bumpers and side panels.
Completing the exterior branding are unique 16-inch alloy wheels and ‘Trail’ logos on the front doors.
On the inside…
Inside, the Ford Transit Custom Trail upgrades include full leather seating, even with the dual passenger seat adding a little bit of luxury and practically as they are easy to wipe down. The windscreen has Ford’s signature feature – the quickclear heated function – and this is complemented by air-conditioning, electrically foldable door mirrors and automatic lighting.
Ford Transit Custom specification
The most high profile change to the Ford Transit Custom Trail is the fitting of a mechanical Limited Split Differential (mLSD) on the front axle.
Ford have developed this system with driveline technology specialist “Quaife” and the mLSD automatically transfers the engines torque in slippery conditions to the wheel with most traction helping the vehicle to traverse poor ground conditions such as gravel tracks and unpaved roads.
Of course, this could potentially impact the ‘running’ of the Electronic Stability Control system so Ford have recalibrated the whole system to improve the harmonisation between the two systems.
This same technology and arrangement has gone into Ford Performance products like the Focus RS and Fiesta ST, and has no impact on the fuel or economical performance.
Ford Transit Custom Trail price and availability
The Trail models are available as a panel van, double-cab in van or Tourneo, and with either the 130PS, 170PS or 185PS engine. Prices start from £29,250 plus VAT and are only available from Ford’s Transit Centre network.
