The next Transit an ambulance
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FORD is bringing out a Transit ambulance early next year. It will be powered by a three-litre V6 petrol engine with the option of manual or Borg Warner automatic transmission. Later, a V4 petrol engine version will be available.
The base vehicle for the new model is the Transit 125 2.69m (106in) wheelbase chassis windshield van floor, featuring a Transit front end and allowing a longer floor than the comparable chassiscab model. But the floor/ frame is extended and reinforced to give a 3.44m (135.5 in) wheelbase, so that full-length stretchers can be accommodated between axles.
As the vehicle has single wheels and consequently narrower wheelboxes than the long-wheelbase Transit, which has double rear wheels, the floor is wider and gives a better working area.
A low-compression version of the V6 engine is fitted (8.0 to I), which produces 69.6kw (93.3 bhp) net at 4650 rpm and 186Nm ( I37.211b ft) net torque at 2100 rpm on two-star petrol.
The plated gvw is 2.72 tonnes (2.68 tons) and the rear axle ratio is 4.625 to 1. A heavy-duty alternator supplying twin 68Ah batteries is fitted in order to supply any special electrical equipment.
A thermostatically controlled viscous cooling fan and extra insulation are among provisions made to reduce noise levels, and new drive-line couplings and a new centre bearing bracket have been developed to minimize transmission vibration.