When you think commercial vans, it’s fair to say that most of us will think of the Ford Transit. The name has become synonymous with the term “van” and like brands such as Biro and Xerox, many people outside the trades refer to all vans simply as Transits.
Ford’s first Transit went to market in 1965 and Ford has since gone on to sell over 8 million Transits worldwide, so it’s no wonder that we feel such familiarity with the model. Its adaptable design has been the key to its long-standing success, with the Transit being used in light commercial and construction settings, as minibuses and recreational camper vans.
In November 2020, Ford launched a new flagship Transit that promises to be bigger and better.
How this Transit Van is Different
This new five-tonne version of the Transit has been designed to be even more adaptable and hard-working for the construction industry. It’s the most capable, heaviest rated van Ford has ever built.
Hans Schep, general manager for commercial vehicles at Ford of Europe said,
“We listened to our converter partners and their customers who need this extra capability for their businesses, whether it’s a tipper, an ambulance or larger minicoach. The 5.0-tonne Transit’s durable design and flexibility make it an ideal choice whatever their speciality.”
Gross Vehicle Mass
GVM for short, this is Ford’s way of describing gross vehicle weight (GVW) and refers to the total weight of the vehicle and everything on board – including the people in the front. This new weight capacity is what positions the new Transit in a different class to many of its rivals that typically have a 3.5 tonne limit. The weight limitation is traditionally set at 3.5 tonnes, which means that in order to drive the new Transit, your drivers will need an O licence.
However, it is this five-tonne weight limit that’s the key to the new Transit’s adaptability and ability to meet the demands of the construction sector, enabling the long wheelbase van to be converted into variants including high roofed models, factory fitted flatbeds and drop sides.
Engine Specifications and Changes
As you’d expect, changes over the standard Transit have been applied in order to deliver this new and impressive GVM. Starting under the bonnet, the Transit is powered by a two-litre diesel engine that delivers 390Nm of torque and approximate 170bhp. This capable engine powers the real wheels via either a manual or automatic gearbox. The popular ten-speed auto gear box is the same one that’s found in the impressive Ford Ranger and it is intelligently designed to deliver ‘maximum efficiency’, in any given situation.
In addition to the power plant, the five-tonne Transit has wider wheels and tyres, new hub assemblies and rear brakes, with some models also benefitting from reinforced body panels.
Ideal for the Construction Industry
The new specs mean that the new Transit is not just a stronger version of itself, but it is an ideal basis for bespoke conversion into vehicles such as:
- Tippers / Dropsides
- Aerial access platforms
- Vehicle transporters
A factory fitted flatbed body gives the new Transit a payload of 2,558kg, offering plenty of room for cargo.
Availability
The new Ford Transit in all its variants is already available in the UK (as of November 2020). However, please be aware that demand – coupled with the current issues affecting the market including Covid-19 and Brexit – could cause possible delays, so please get in touch for more info and full details on our lorry and truck hire solutions and van alternatives.
At Nexus, our online rental platform IRIS means that customers have access to more than 550,000 vehicles, including specialist vehicles for construction, across 2,000 locations, which means that hiring vehicles across multiple sites, on a project by project basis or in a time critical manner is easy.
