Safe moves for the Transit
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by Toby Clark • Ford's Transit range has had a facelift for 1995, with a new petrol engine, a redesigned interior with optional airbags, an engine immobiliser and longer service intervals. Diesel engines have been revised to reduce emissions and there are new safety and security features.
The '94 Transit has ceased production at Southampton; the new model, codenamed VE6, goes on sale on 15 September. External changes are few, but the new model is identified by the "oval" grille, becoming standard across the Ford range. Most apparent changes are to the interior, where a restyled fascia, similar to the Monde° saloon's, has more storage space. Heating and ventilation has been revised, and air-conditioning will be an option. Noise levels are claimed to be much reduced, and larger door mirrors incorporate "blind spot eliminators".
Safety improvements include lap-and-diagonal belts on all three front seats, belt grabbers and "anti-submarining" seat bases. The most significant option is that of driver and passenger airbags.
Ford also emphasises security: the Safeguard electronic immobiliser, as fitted to Ford's petrolengined CDVs, is standard for both petrol and diesel Transits. The ignition key incorporates a radio transmitter with an electronic "password", with billions of combinations. Without the correct key, the starter motor and the engine man agement system or fuel pump are disabled.
Also standard are unglazed rear doors; with the optional unglazed bulkhead this creates a "secure load box". Central and double locking are options: dealers can fit a Tracker vehiclelocation transmitter.
The 87hp 2.0-litre SOHC petrol engine has been replaced by a DOHC model producing 114hp, and Ford has modified all four variants of the Transit's 2.5-litre diesel, lowering emissions to 1996 requirements—
and reducing output of the "80PS" naturally aspirated model to 76PS (75hp/56kW). More importantly, service intervals for all petrol and diesel models have been extended to 10,000 miles.
Eight and nine-seat executive bus models have been renamed "Tourneo"; standard improvements include power steering Details and prices of the new range will be released next month.