New Ford Transit Courier: Bigger, Better
The Transit Courier, the smallest member of the Ford commercial vehicle family, has been introduced with its new version. Larger, more stylish, and technologically advanced compared to its predecessor, the Courier will be produced at Ford Otosan’s facility in Romania. The new Transit Courier, available in 2-seater and 5-seater options, has been unveiled with new engines, a new platform, and new technologies, representing a complete overhaul.
The Transit Courier, Ford’s pickup model F-150-inspired front end features boomerang-designed headlights on its vertically designed front fascia, a large front grille, and a cleanly designed front bumper. The unpainted lower part of the front bumper serves as a detail that protects the vehicle’s paint during urban maneuvers, while the unpainted boomerang-shaped piece housing the fog lights adds to the front’s cohesive look. The LED strip that connects the daytime running lights is a detail found in the electric Ford F-150 Lightning model, and it has been integrated into the Courier for a reason – you can now get Ford’s small commercial vehicle in an electric version.
While the black A-pillar gives the vehicle a somewhat Doblo-like appearance, the Courier distinguishes itself with a spoiler at the rear and a unique taillight design, making it the most eye-catching commercial vehicle design I’ve seen so far. It’s worth noting that the Courier will be produced on the same platform as the Ford Puma. The reason for being manufactured at Ford Otosan’s facilities in Romania, where the Ford Puma is also produced, is primarily due to this light commercial vehicle not transitioning to the Volkswagen platform like its sibling, the Tourneo Connect. This decision stems from the fact that Volkswagen does not have plans to produce a light commercial vehicle in this segment, eliminating the need for joint model development.
With a loading area length reaching 1.8 meters, the light commercial vehicle is 18.2 cm longer than its predecessor, the old Courier. It boasts a loading width of 1.22 meters and a 25% increased loading volume, making it the largest vehicle in its class. Comparing the Transit Courier to its only current rival, the 16-year-old Fiat Fiorino, would be unfair. The model, with a loading volume almost catching up to competitors in the upper class, can carry 118 kilograms more load in its electric version compared to its predecessor, reaching a maximum load capacity of 700 kilograms.
Ford, in the new Transit Courier, enables the loading of items up to 2.6 meters in length by opening a window into the passenger seat. The model, equipped with added LED lighting in the cargo area, also features a 44-liter storage space under the hood in its electric version.
The 1.5-liter Ecoblue diesel engine produces 100 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, transmitting power to the wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission. Meanwhile, the version equipped with a 1.0-liter Ecoboost engine will have options for either 100 or 125 horsepower, with a choice between a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Production of the internal combustion versions will begin in the third quarter of 2023, and the electric version, set to be introduced in 2024, will feature an electric motor with 136 horsepower. The e-Courier will have a battery capacity of 54 kWh, supporting fast charging up to 100 kWh, enabling an 80-kilometer charge in just 10 minutes. While the range of the model has not been disclosed, it was noted that the battery’s charging time from 10% to 80% will be under 35 minutes.
The Transit Courier will feature a massive 12-inch touchscreen that operates with Ford’s current SYNC4 multimedia interface. With a two-spoke steering wheel that allows control over various vehicle functions, the Transit Courier has gained comfort features such as a digital display and wireless charging. The interior, looking more high-quality than before, is now more comfortable. While physical controls like the volume knob are retained, the embedding of settings like climate controls into the touchscreen could potentially divert the driver’s attention. The touchscreen, which offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, can provide live traffic information through a subscription-based navigation system, show available parking spaces via satellite, and assist in emergencies.
The center console, customizable in many combinations, includes a foldable arrangement that can be used as a table if desired. I’ll leave the details that make the interior more livable and adaptable to various businesses to the images below.
The new Ford Transit Courier comes standard with lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assistance, automatic high-beam assist, and rear parking sensors. Additionally, it will offer advanced options such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning system, secondary collision prevention system, intersection assistant, and more. How do you find the new Ford Transit Courier?