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First drive: Ford Transit AWD
Transit AWD proves a
mud-plugging titan
Big loads and muddy fields are no problem for this new model. John Threadgold reports
If you need to lug a tonne or
so of big stuff across muddy fields, then you are pretty limited in vehicle choice. Certainly the standard mud-plugger such as the Ford Ranger won’t do as they are pretty restricted on load space
Enter the new Ford Transit AWD (all wheel drive), which carries 9.5 cubic metres of cargo yet is still pretty much guaranteed to grind its way across any kind of rough terrain.
The Transit has been offered in All Wheel Drive format for a few years now but is still fairly new for the upgraded model.
The Transit is a quantum leap forward over the old model – new from the nuts and bolts upwards and featuring fresh chunky looks, better build quality, a much more comfortable cab and more frugal diesel engines.
Varying models
AWD models are available as a van or double-cab at 125bhp and 155bhp. Our test model was the long wheelbase hi-roof van version, featuring Ford’s tried and trusted
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2.2-litre diesel powerplant with 155bhp on tap and a payload of 1,335kg.
Priced at £31,825 ex- VAT, the AWD is £4,830 more than the standard model. Meanwhile fuel economy suffers with the off-road system on board. Economy on
the combined cycle is
29.1mpg, compared to 35.8mpg for the standard van.
The AWD is a kind of halfway house between a conventional drive and a full off-road system. The joy of it is that it takes no intervention from the driver at all – the system swaps from rear-wheel drive to all- wheel drive if it senses that the front wheels are losing traction.
Tucked away
On the plus side, the gubbins
are all tucked away under the van out of sight so it doesn’t have to be jacked up higher as with some of the opposition. This means that load height isn’t affected at 668mm – an important point if some heavyweight gear is to be lugged around.
ffOn the minus side, it does somewhat restrict this vehicle in particularly boggy ground, although clearance is still a respectable 320mm. It’s also worth noting that the system doesn’t offer high and low ratio options. However, we reckon that utilities, forestry firms and the like who are interested in this vehicle will be well satisfied with what’s on offer.
On the road, this Transit is much like all the others to drive, although the drivetrain felt a little more clunky and we did hear the odd bit of mechanical gruffling from time
to time. In the rough, this van is surprisingly agile – so much so that we didn’t dare push it anywhere near its limits.
fSpec sheet
Gross vehicle weight (kg): 3,500
Power (bhp/rpm): Torque (lb-ft/rpm): Load volume (cu m): Payload (kg):
155/3,500 284/1,600-2,300 9.5 1,335 Comb fuel economy (mpg): 29.1 CO2 emission (g/km): 251 Basic price (ex-VAT): £31,825