Ford has added the new smaller Courier van model to the Transit range completing the van range. The 2014 Transit van range in order of ascending size now includes the Transit Courier (max. payload of up to 660kg), Transit Connect (max. payload of up to 1,004kg), Transit Custom (max. payload of up to 1,507kg) and Transit (max. payload of up to 2,281kg).

The Ford Transit range has been totally revamped in the last two years with fully redesigned models that integrate the latest Ford technologies. Ford claims that they use the most fuel-efficient engines that the company has ever developed to deliver low total cost of ownership.

Ford is now offering a four-year/150,000km warranty on all of the vans. The company has a new low van finance rate APR of 3.9% through Bank of Ireland, on selected models to make buying a Ford van easier.

“Our new Transit range is arriving into a rebounding commercial vehicle market in Ireland that is significantly outpacing the growth in the car market,” according to Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland. “Year to date, van sales have increased by some 36 percent while car sales are up 23 percent. The outlook is for that level of CV sales to continue as buyers who have put off renewing or upgrading their vehicles, are increasingly coming back to the market”.

Transit Courier in action

Ford’s small Transit Courier van is available with two engine power options, either 75bhp or 95bhp. The 95hp 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine version claims to achieve 3.7 l/100 km (76.3 mpg) fuel economy figure and 97 g/km CO2 emissions.

The new Transit Courier claims to offer 10% more load volume than its direct competitors with 2.3 m3 behind the bulkhead, as well as longer load length at floor level, and greater access width through the sliding side doors.

The compact van also brings comes with impressive safety features, in-cab stowage space and connectivity, including Ford SYNC with Emergency Assistance. For the Irish market, Transit Courier is available in two series: Base and Trend with the choice of 1.5 litre 75PS TDCi or 1.6 litre 95PS TDCi engines. Prices start from €13,990 including VAT.

We took the 95bhp version of the Transit Courier for a short test drive and its smoothness and engine quietness were impressive. This version of the van comes with a solid bulkhead and good comfort features. A side sliding door is optional on the Courier vans, while the rear doors open in a 60:40 arrangement.