The Transit name plate has been a constant for Ford for the past six decades and while the style and design philosophy has changed dramatically over those 60 years there are few other commercial nameplates that have been so long lasting, save for perhaps VW’s Transporter.
Even then Ford’s Transit has been a main stay for Henry in both Europe and here in Australia. From asthmatic V4 cylinder petrol versions in the 1960 to V6 powered machines in the UK and Falcon straight six cylinders here in Australia to more drivable, torquey and economic turbo diesels the Transit has seen a lot of incantations and changes in the time since the nameplate debuted.
The latest version of the ford Transit has just hit out shores with new versions that include a battery electric powered model along with a plug in hybrid variant(PHEV) and an all wheel drive version that should grab the attention of campervan converters. None of this comes cheaply witht he base model of the new Transit range kicking off from $61,990 plus on-roads
The availability of both the latest battery electric configuration and the offering of a PHEV model will clearly broaden t eh appeal of the transit with operators and fleets keen to reduce their carbon footprints, while staying with a dependable brand that has a strong track record in the light commercial van market in this country and around the globe.
The latest Transits, as they have been for a few years now are manufactured in Ford’s major plant in Türkiye, a factor that has not affected the build quality or overall finish of the van range. Such is the global manufacturing base that Ford’s manufacturing template ensures quality standards no matter where the vehicles are bolted together. In fact ask most operators where they think Transits are made and most will say England or some where in mainland Europe. But Türkiye is the global hub for Transit and they do a very good job.
the company believes the addition of both PHEVand the fully battery electric E-Transit widens the buyer audience for the Transit Custom platform. There is a long list of optional choices for the latest Transit including both short- and long-wheelbase versions, with load capacities varying from 5.2 to 6.0 cubic metres. while they offer payloads from 1111 to 1206kg depending on the version. Towing capacity is also reasonably impressive offering operators braked capacity from 2300 to 2500kg again depending on the version chosen.
although we only got to drive the three new drivelines on the day of the Ford media launch, the PHEV, BEV and all wheel drive model known as the Trail, For was quick to point out the other body and configurations available including the venerable dual cab tray back variants and cab-chassis options that have growing appeal amongst light truck buyers fed up with the woeful ride and handling delivered by the dominant Japanese light duty truck makers, Isuzu, Hino and Fuso..
The new all wheel drive Transit Custom Trail uses Ford’s tried and proven two-litre turbo diesel four cylinder engine which delivers 125kW of power and 390 Nm of torque to all four wheels. Ford engineers have also given the Trail improved underbody protection, special black alloy wheels fitted with all-terrain tyres and a bunch of other body decals and id.
As we identified Ford reckons the Trail will have appeal and offers a blank canvas camping conversions, bit also will probably appeal to rural delivery operations that have to cope with gravel roads. The downside for freight operations is a reduction in load capacity due to the added weight of the all wheel drive system.
We didn’t get an opportunity to test it in anything more demanding than a piece of straight gravel road on Melbourne’s northern outskirts, but the Trail sat nicely on the road and performed acceptably given the limited test we gave it.
However most eyes were on the PHEV and BEVC versions of the Transit Custom that captured most people’s enthusiasm and which will be of particular appeal to companies looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase fuel efficiency and reduce overall running costs. Of course there is a price premium to be paid for the new technology drivelines but the gap is not as huge as some might expect,
But it’s arguably the arrival of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric (BEV) Transit Custom models that are of the greatest interest to SME (Small to Medium Enterprises) and fleet buyers.
The E Transit Custom is powered by an electric motor mounted in the rear as an e axle delivering 160kW of power and an impressive 415Nm of torque.Of course the nature and characteristic of electric power is that those 415 Nms are delivered from start up. Under the floor of the E Transit Custom is the battery bank that provides that power and torque with Ford engineers specifying a 64kWh lithium array, which Ford says can be re charged from 15 to 80 per cent in about 32 minutes using a DC 125kW charger. On a 240 volt 11kW AC charger, that time blows out to 6.7 hours says Ford.
Interestingly Ford has added a vapour injected heat pump to the E-Transit Custom in order to provide heating and cooling in the van’s climate control system.
Just as with many of the latest crop of EVs, the E Transit feartures the convenience and regeneration advantages of a one-pedal system, something that an urban van driver will find extremely convenient, easy use and safe.
In terms of range the optional short and long-wheelbase models deliver varying ranges with the SWB model offering a claimed 307km on a single charge and the LWB 301km before needing to be recharged.
Just as with its recently launched Ranger utes, Ford has jumped into the PHEV pool with the new Transit offering an electric/petrol internal combustion engine driveline, with an 86kW 2.5 litre four cylinder normally aspirated petrol power plant mated to a 111kW electric motor that also delivers 320Nm of torque. The combined result is 171kW of oomph.
At the lunch Ford claims that the PHEV Transit Custom can deliver a fuel consumption figure of around 1.7litres per 100km using the official WLTP combined cycle fuel consumption tests.
On our short drive of the PHEV, out and back from Ford’s technology and design centre based on the site of its old HQ and manufacturing base at Campellfield in Melbourne’s north, we didn’t get much of view of what the fuel consumption might be. However we were able to cover just under 50 km with out the petrol motor kicking in for any length of time. Ford claims a range of up to 54km on battery alone, a factor that bolsters that stated low average fuel consumption of just 1.7litres per 100km.
The battery pack in the PHEV Transit is a liquid-cooled 11.8kWh array and drive is channeled through the front wheels using a CVT (continuously variable transmission). Ou brief time witht he PHEV proved smooth and effiicient with the electric motor also providing quiet and peaceful operation with strong acceleration and the benefit of having a petrol ICE power plant ready to take over when the battery is discharged. We reckon the PHEV will most likely be the weapon of choice for fleets looking to cut emissions and costs.
Ford told us that the PHEV’s battery array can be charged from completely flat to 100 per cent charge in around 4.25 hours when using a minimal AC 3.5kW charger. The other benefit is of course that the petrol engine will also eventually replenish the battery charge. The driver can choose which mode they prefer to use with the ability to select the option of EV drive only, auto which selects the most efficient power choice at any given moment ie: petrol or electric or what Ford calls EV-later usage.
Cab space has been optimised in the new Transit Custom range recognising that tradies and delivery drivers alike, need more space for the accoutrement of everyday work and the ever urgent need for paperwork and timing up the most recent job. That being the case Ford has removed floor or dash mounted gear selection, delivering a flat event floor thanks to the wand mounted gear selector on the steering column.
Overall ergonomics comfort, safety and comfort as well as connectivity hs been improved across the entire range with the company acknowledging the needs and demand of tradies and commercial buyers for more and more usable cabin space.
The engineers have gone to great lengths to deliver more cabin storage space, even moving the dual front airbags to a spot in the roof above the windscreen line to free up space around the dash. That along with the column gear selector, an electric park brake and the option of a three seat cab configuration means the Transit Custom offers a much improved and roomier work space
The seat feature cloth upholstery in either the aforementioned three-seat configuration or of just two seats are chosen. In another space bonus the bases of the seats can be flipped up for extra storage underneath while access and egress is benefitted by the wide opening doors for the cab along with the built on step and grab handles
The dash in all the features 12.0-inch digital instrument screen along with a 13.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display which uses the easy to use and connect Ford SYNC 4 connectivity system. This offers wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto connection, while the van also costs a built in 5G modem and FordPass remote access.
Both the PHEV and E Transit versions include keyless push button start, and Sport models are fitted with what Ford calls ‘Smart Keyless Entry’
Another feature that fleets may well be interested in is the optional Ford’s Secure Visibility Pack, which adds $1500 to the price but offers an integrated dash cam, a digital mirror delivering cents mounted rear vision even with a full load blocking vision back through the cargo area, and also removal of glass in the rear load area, which many like as an an anti-theft feature. The Secure Visibility Pack is optional on the diesel and PHEV variants but is standard on other models.
The Ford engineers have waved the wand over the upgraded Transit Custom range with a number of safety improvements adding to the vans marketing arsenal. With duty of car and OH&S demands on companies and fleets these days ts little wonder that these aspects are becoming increasingly important in light commercials.
Transit Custom now gets adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and assist, cross-wind assist, emergency call assist, evasive steering assist, exit warning, front and rear acoustic parking sensors, hill start assist, lane departure and keeping assistants, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse brake assist, reversing camera, traffic sign recognition, trailer sway control, and tyre pressure monitoring across the board, so there is little to add or worry about for the average fleet manager.
Designed primarily as a load carrying work van the standard Transit Custom configuration comes equipped with a single, curbside sliding door along with rear twin barn doors, while a single lift up tail gate is a $700 option and a sliding door can be added to the right hand side for $1000.
Like Henry himself once said, you can have it in any colour as long as it is black. In the Transit Custom’s case it comes standard finished in white, however buyers can select a palette of five different optional metallic or premium colours at $700 a pop . If that is too restrictive Ford is offering an array of what it calls SVO colour options as a $1400 option.
“The arrival of the new E-Transit Custom and Transit Custom PHEV ensures that customers have more efficient options to suit their needs, without compromising on safety, equipment, cargo space, or aftersales support,”said John Hatzimanolis.who is Ford Australia’s director of customer experience and sales.
“While the comprehensive equipment list and low- or zero-emission powertrains will appeal, it’s the ability to go the distance with lower operating costs, without sacrificing cargo space, that Transit Custom owners have been asking for,”
As with the sales success of its Ranger pick up in business and commercial markets Ford’s extensive dealer network which numbers 178 outlet around the country, with Ford emphasising that 152 of these dealers are Ford electric vehicle specialists. The company added that all models come with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with high voltage battery cover for eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first,.
2026 Ford Transit Custom pricing*:
| Trend SWB Diesel (a) | $56,590 | |
| Trend LWB Diesel (a) | $57,590 | |
| Sport SWB Diesel (a) | $59,990 | |
| Trail LWB Diesel (a) | $61,990 | New variant |
| Sport LWB Diesel (a) | $62,990 | |
| Trend LWB PHEV (a) | $67,590 | New variant |
| Sport SWB PHEV (a) | $69,990 | New variant |
| Trend LWB BEV (a) | $77,590 | New variant |
| Sport SWB BEV (a) | $79,990 | New variant |
