New High-Roof Ford Transit Custom on the way

By Padraic Deane

Ford tells us that a new high-roof version of the Transit Custom one-tonne commercial vehicle offering 20 per cent more load volume than the low-roof model is now available to order here for delivery later this year.

This new version is designed for customers including builders and parcel operators, and features 370 mm greater load height to increase the distance from floor to roof to 1.78 metres and offers a maximum load volume of up to 8.3 cubic metres (full bulkhead fitted).

The high-roof model is unique in the segment for its all-steel roof construction that offers more durability than composite roof panels, along with roof rack capability and a maximum roof load of 100 kilograms.

This is a Transit Custom plus – all the style, economy and durability of the low-roof vehicle, plus that valuable extra cargo volume,” said David Gregory, Transit Custom chief program engineer, Ford of Europe. “We also made sure that the high-roof keeps all those smart load space features that customers asked for when we designed the new model.”

Deliveries of the new high-roof Transit Custom begin later this year, and customers have the same comprehensive options as the low-roof vehicle including short and long wheelbase versions and a wide gross vehicle weight and powertrain range; both van and kombi bodystyles are available.

Also in line with the low-roof model, the high-roof Transit Custom offers best-in-class load space features including the widest side door opening to enable loaded Euro pallet access, and the ability to carry three loaded Euro pallets in both short and long wheelbase models.

The Transit Custom offers innovative load space features developed include the innovative ’load-through hatch’ in bulkhead enabling loads up to 3.0 metres in length, such as pipes or ladders, to be safely carried inside the vehicle (3.4 metres in long wheelbase model). The innovation continues with the repositioned DIN and ISO compliant tie-down hooks located on the body sides, to increase usable load area and allow complete cleaning of the floor.

A tailored, one-piece easy-to-clean load floor liner offering enhanced durability and simple cleaning is another spark of innovation, as is the ultra-bright LED loadspace lighting with four high-performance LED units.

The high-roof Transit Custom also offers outstanding fuel economy with CO2 emissions from 178 g/km* delivered by the improved 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel with optional Auto-Start-Stop. Cost-of-ownership is further minimised by the longest service intervals in the class at two years/50,000 km/30,000 miles.

The Transit Custom is the only van in its segment to have achieved a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and the high-roof model also delivers advanced Ford vehicle technologies including SYNC with Emergency Assistance, Rear View Camera, Acceleration Control, Auto High Beam, Lane Keeping Alert and Driver Alert.