An updated version of the Ford Transit – again offered in van and chassis cab form – has arrived in South Africa, now armed with a standard service plan.

New front-end styling brings the Transit into line with the rest of the Blue Oval brand’s commercial range, and includes a new three-bar grille, redesigned headlamps, a restyled front bumper and a new bonnet.

Inside, the Transit has also been refreshed with new seat materials that Ford claims “enhance both comfort and durability”. Interestingly, the local arm of the Dearborn-based firm is now including a six-year/90 000 km service plan in the vehicle’s price (this was previously offered only as an added-cost option).

As a reminder, the Transit Van is available in medium-wheelbase form (with a gross payload of 1 325 kg and a braked towing capacity of 2 800 kg) and extended long-wheelbase guise (with a claimed payload of 2 270 kg and a 3 500 kg braked towing capacity).

The towing capacities of the Transit Chassis Cab models, which are likewise offered in medium- and extended long-wheelbase forms, match those of the van derivatives but they boast higher gross payload ratings of 1 597 kg and 2 691 kg, respectively.

Power comes from Ford's 2,2-litre Duratorq turbodiesel engine, offering 92 kW and 350 N.m in the smaller models and 114 kW and 385 N.m in the larger derivatives. All Transit variants are equipped with a six-speed manual transmission as standard, with drive directed to the front wheels in the case of the medium-wheelbase models and to the dual rear wheels for the longer variants.

Pricing:
Ford Transit Van 2,2 TDCi MWB: R527 100
Ford Transit Van 2,2 TDCi ELWB: R658 200
Ford Transit Chassis Cab 2,2 TDCi MWB: R477 000
Ford Transit Chassis Cab 2,2 TDCi ELWB: R589 300

Original article from Car