Lost in Transit...
When is a Transit not a Transit? When it’s a Custom Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV). Yes, Ford carries on its van offensive by ushering in this spanking new vehicle, offering efficiency and practicality in one fell swoop. But is the Custom Plug-in Hybrid any more than a box on wheels with a bit of electrification shoehorned in? Well, let's unwrap the package and put this product from the blue oval in the spotlight for a few minutes.
With its neat external looks, you could be forgiven for thinking that the Custom van is all bark and no bite. Well, on the contrary. This vehicle is a down to earth means of transportation, and space and practicality are why the Transit van has existed in one guise or another since 1965. Inside the present-day Custom Plug-in Hybrid, the trim is not only fetching but well-made, too. In addition, there's plenty of storage - cubbyhole style - and there's ample leg, head, elbow and shoulder room.
The Ford's ride is dumbfoundingly up to scratch and comes with much better manners than the Transits of yesteryear. The van is sprung nicely, so it stands on its own two feet (or four wheels in this case) when it comes to damaged road surfaces. And considering its practical focus, the Custom PHEV steers with tremendous aptitude. Furthermore, the electrified vehicle contains a satisfyingly sized steering wheel. The single-speed transmission helps with responsiveness and is child's play to use, too.
When it comes to twisty British bitumen, the Ford soon protests if you're pushing it out of its comfort zone. The van starts to lean in corners, and even with the blue oval's substantial battery pack weighing the vehicle down at its rump, traction soon runs out. So, the simple lesson here is don't get complacent - or cocky - at the Transit's wheel. It might well look natty and modern, but it's still a van.
The nitty-gritty: Ford Transit Custom Leader PHEV
- Max speed: 75 mph
- 0-62 mph: N/A
- Combined mpg: 91.1
- Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol + 92.9kW electric motor + 13.6kWh battery
- Max. power (PS): 126
- CO2: 69 g/km
- Price: £47,214
The Transit on test here is more sophisticated than you'd ever presume at first. The well-stuffed seats and an air conditioning system mean a serving of luxury is brought to the table. Indeed, the air-con guarantees a congenial environment, whatever the temperature or weather outside. The van is also relatively peaceful on the move, even on motorways. We figured it would sound hollow, metallic and boomy at pace, given the commodious cab, but it was only the wind's howl as it battered our wing mirrors that heckled our journey.
You get a sweeping view of the road, too; the height of the van and the elevated seat at the tiller makes you feel commander in chief of the road. And when you put the anchors on to slow down and park, life at the wheel of the Transit is just as amiable.
The Custom is a piece of cake to insert into compact parking spaces or loading bays, which is what you need if you're, for example, delivering stock under pressure in busy conditions. And on that note, the back of the van looks no different to the standard shorter-wheelbase Custom, so the load volume is still 6m3. However, the payload capacity is marginally smaller than the regular diesel version at 1130kg. This is due to an upgraded axle that’s needed so the PHEV’s body can cope with the added electrical gadgetry.
The Custom Plug-in Hybrid's 13.6 kWh battery helps produce a zero-emissions electric driving range of 35 miles. The Ford's 1.0-litre petrol powerplant can also charge the battery pack on-demand to extend its combined range to around 300 miles, with over 90mpg also possible.
"The Transit is built like a brick outhouse, and the cab looks like it will put up with years of round-the-clock use"
The vehicle can be charged to the brim in just over four hours from a standard domestic electrical socket or around three hours or less by using a commercial charging point.
Furthermore, the new Custom PHEV now comes with the choice of "geofencing" tech to help give a shot in the arm to the air quality in towns and cities. How does this work? Well, by harnessing live location information, the Ford automatically engages its electric drive capability when it enters pre-established locales, such as congestion zones.
You can also identify "green zones" for low-emission or ultra-low emission motoring near schools, playgrounds and parks. Then, the van seamlessly slots back to the most appropriate driving setting for the trip's next leg when it leaves the zone.
Even better, the geofence feature in the Custom PHEV documents data about pure-electric driving. The encoded information can be shared with the powers that be to substantiate conformance with low-emission zone directives, therefore avoiding undeserved fines.
But back to the quality of the van. Bluntly, the Transit is built like a brick outhouse, and the cab looks like it will put up with years of round-the-clock use. What’s more, Ford has an enviable reputation for making dependable vehicles, which means this Custom should prove reliable. For additional inner peace, Ford's commercial products come with a 100,000-mile/three-year warranty.
And on the safety side of things, you're in good hands with the blue oval. The independent crash-test safety organisation, Euro NCAP, doesn't typically assess vans, but there are airbags, and you get electronic stability control to keep you from exiting stage left. Ford also provides kit such as lane-keeping alert and a tyre pressure monitoring system. In addition, new electric power-assisted steering has, relatively recently, found its way into the Transit line-up.
The Transit van has suffered a titchy bit of negative press over the years on the security front. Why? Well, in the past, it hasn't always exactly fought off thieves very well. But Ford being Ford, has seen to this by upgrading the central locking system to thwart villains. Yes, we know this doesn't make the van a fortress against felons, but it's a step in the right direction, and you can always upgrade the van's locks. Ford makes this easy to do because it has a bespoke array of trade vehicle locks on sale.
There is also a FordPass Connect system that can send a warning to your smartphone if your Transit’s alarm is activated. The 'phone app that works with this enables you to see your van's location at any time, too.
Follow Tim Barnes-Clay on Instagram @tbarnesclay and Twitter @carwriteups.