Ford’s Transit Custom has collected an enviable cabinet of trophies over the last year, including International Van of the Year. As Custom continues to filter through to the market, the company has been adding models, with the ECOnetic variants and Sport Van arriving in the summer and a high roof version due by the end of the year.
Aimed primarily at owner drivers and image-conscious fleets, the Custom Sport follows Ford’s tried and tested policy of concentrating on styling more than a change to performance. That said, the van is based on a short wheelbase 290 Custom with the most powerful version of the
Despite riding on 18” alloy wheels with low profile rubber, the van maintains a 1,075kg payload and the full 5.95m3 load volume. The sliding side door is standard, as is the full steel bulkhead, which helps to keep noise levels commendably low in the cab. More surprisingly though, it also maintains a really comfortable ride quality, in combination with assured handling and road holding.
The Sport builds upon the already high trim level of the Custom Limited van, adding part-leather seat trim, the high series instrument cluster with an extensive trip computer, a rear-view camera with Trailer Hitch Assist and a monitor in the rear view mirror, plus Ford’s Lane Keeping Alert with Driver Alert systems.
Lane Keeping Alert automatically detects when you move over the white markings of your lane without indicating, gently vibrating the steering wheel and turning the lane graphic in the dash from green to red. The rear-view camera is by far the most valuable system on offer though, working with the standard front and rear parking sensors to allow easy parking in the tightest of spaces.
If the decision to buy is based around image, then the Sport certainly has visual impact. Front and rear lower bumper spoilers, body coloured side skirts, wheel arch extensions and front fog lights all contribute to the sporty feel. You can delete the stripes on the bonnet if you prefer and there is a wider choice of colours available this time around.
In the cab the Custom Sport has one of the best driving environments on the market. While it doesn’t have quite as many storage cubbies and boxes as previous Transit models, it is easy to find somewhere to put everything on a daily basis. A lift-up passenger seat squab provides storage away from prying eyes for laptops and other valuable items.
Our test van came with an integrated sat-nav (£690), completing possibly the most extensive specification available on an LCV today. You really want for nothing in the Sport, though with a list price of £25,445 before the VAT you would hope so too.
However, with mid-30s fuel economy (claimed 40.4mpg), two year/30,000 mile servicing and a 100,000 mile warranty, the running costs shouldn’t be too far from the standard van.
Verdict
High horsepower and a sporty image won’t appeal to everyone, but for those looking for the ultimate mid-size van, the Transit Custom Sport is one of
Specification
MODEL Ford Transit Custom Sport 290 SWB
BASIC PRICE £25,445
ENGINE 4-cyl/2,179cc
FUEL INJECTION Common-rail
POWER 155hp @ 3,500rpm
TORQUE 385Nm @ 1,600rpm
Weights (kg)
GVW 2,900
KERB WEIGHT 1,825
PAYLOAD 1,075
MAX TRAILER WEIGHT 2,000
Dimensions (mm)
LOAD SPACE LENGTH 2,555
LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,775
LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 1,406
LOAD HEIGHT (unladen) 534
LOAD VOLUME 5.95m3
Cost considerations
FUEL TANK CAPACITY 80 litres
COMBINED MPG & CO2 40.4mpg/186g/km
OIL CHANGE 2 yr/30,000 miles
WARRANTY 3 yr/100,000 miles