IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Ford Transit: The Best Gets Better
Auckland, New Zealand, 10 August 2006 – Ford's longest serving commercial nameplate – the Transit - enters a new era in
its long and successful life, with a series of extensive improvements to keep it ahead of the pack.
"The new Transit range will feature new exterior styling for a bolder and more contemporary look and interior changes
which include an elevated dash-mounted gear shifter for car-like driving position, and innovative and class-leading
storage combinations," said Mr. Richard Matheson, Managing Director of Ford New Zealand.
"The new Transit will be powered by a new range of efficient, powerful diesel engines that meet the Euro Stage IV
emission compliance well ahead of legal requirements.
"With a 12 and 14-seater bus, and short-wheel, long-wheel and jumbo length vans with a variety of roof heights and door
combinations, Ford New Zealand's Transit range will offer a product for every van operator," said Mr Matheson.
A fresh new look inside and out
"The new Transit has been redesigned with real customer input – Ford's designers and engineers worked hard to reflect
the needs of the today's commercial vehicle owner/driver in the final product," said Mr. Steve Fraser, Ford New
Zealand's Transit Brand Manager.
"Exterior design changes give the vehicle a stronger, more contemporary profile when viewed head on."
The most noticeable changes are at the front where the bold new two-bar grille sits between new, more vertical
headlamps. Positioned in the middle of the grille is the largest Ford oval (23.5 centimetres) in Ford's global line-up.
Major changes have also been made to the Transit interior, reflecting the desire of some users that van interiors should
contain the same level of user-friendly features as passenger cars.
A completely new dashboard, two-tone instrument panel and a new car-like steering wheel face the driver, while new and
innovative storage solutions ensure that Transit is now an even more convenient workplace. These innovative storage
solutions include room for two 2-litre bottles and a hanging A4 folder in the glovebox.
A significant change in the cabin sees the gear lever moved up to the dashboard – giving a more car-like driving
position, and improved ergonomics. It also gives a completely clear floor area from the driver's side to the passenger's
side for "walk through" access.
New durable and economical engines
All of Ford New Zealand's Transits will boast a powerful 2.4-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine. These engines are the
latest products from Ford Motor Company's ongoing co-operation with PSA Peugeot Citroën on state-of-the-art diesel
engines and are the first units to be designed specifically for light and medium commercial vehicle applications.
"With their highly competitive torque output, these engines will ensure the new Transit has strong load carrying
capability, high towing capability, impressive acceleration and fuel economy which starts at 8.1 litre/100km for the
short-wheel base vehicle," said Fraser.
"With the same 2.4 litre diesel engine, the long-wheel base van boasts fuel economy of 8.7 litres/100kms and the jumbo
van is at 9.1 litres/100kms."
Matched with a five-speed Durashift manual transmission in the short-wheel base Transit, the 2.4 litre engine will
deliver 74 kW and 285 Nm while the long-wheel base vehicle will feature a six-speed transmission and a maximum power of
103 kW and 375 Nm.
All Transits are compliant with Euro IV emissions standards and feature latest generation common-rail technology. They
have been designed to accommodate forthcoming emissions legislation and to deliver improved performance with reduced
fuel consumption, while the engine layout has been revised for ease of servicing and repair.
The drivers' favourite
"The design team at Ford of Europe has listened to its customers and made the Transit's interior a more enjoyable place
to be, with a host of new convenience features," said Fraser.
They include three levels of heating and ventilation and a new instrument cluster. The new Transit also boasts a
self-charging waterproof ignition key – the first vehicle in the sector ever to be fitted with one.
"In terms of driving dynamics, Ford engineers have worked hard to ensure the new Transit has driving and handling
characteristics that are even more like our acclaimed passenger cars," said Fraser.
The basic suspension layout remains unchanged from the outgoing model, with MacPherson strut front suspension and a
Hotchkiss rear axle, but a number of significant detail changes were made within this. As a result of these and other
changes such as a new sound pack that reduces road noise from reaching the cabin, NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness)
has been cut by 20 per cent.
A firmer body structure provides more confident high speed driving while large front and rear disc brakes allow for
shorter stopping distances.
Security and Safety
"Protecting the occupants in an accident is an important function of the vehicle’s structure and Ford's engineers were
keen to improve on the already high standards set by the Transit," said Fraser.
A driver’s airbag is standard across the range and a 120-litre passenger airbag optional on all models.
In addition, the redesigned front structure further enhances low speed impact resistance. Other safety features include
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
40 years and still going strong
Last year the Transit celebrated its 40th year on sale, during which it has become the definitive vehicle in the light
commercial sector – seeing off a host of impressive rivals. More than five million Ford Transits have been made and sold
across the globe since 1965.
"We are confident the new Transit will prove just as popular as the vehicle it succeeds – the outgoing model won the
International Van of the Year title in 2001," said Fraser.
"Loyal customers tell us that they respect Transit as a tough professional that is hard working, trustworthy, dependable
and capable of meeting just about any business or personal need.
"The new 2006 Ford Transit takes these market-leading strengths and moves them to the next generation. Existing
customers will love the new Transit. And the new features, styling and dynamic changes will ensure that many new
customers, who take pride in themselves and their business, will also take pride in placing their name on the side of a
new Transit."
Ford New Zealand Model Line-up
Description Retail Price inc. GST
330 Short Wheel Base Low Roof (74kW 5 speed manual) $42,790
330 Short Wheel Base Dual Door Low Roof (74kW 5 speed manual) $43,490
330 Short Wheel Base Medium Roof (74 kW 5 speed manual) $43,490
330 Short Wheel Base Dual Door Medium Roof (74 kW 5 speed manual) $44,190
350 Long Wheel Base Medium Roof (103 kW 6 speed manual) $49,790
350 Long Wheel Base Medium Roof Dual Sliding Doors (103 kW 6 speed manual) $50,490
350 Long Wheel Base High Roof (103 kW 6 speed manual) $53,290
350 Long Wheel Base High Roof Dual Sliding Doors (103 kW 6 speed manual) $53,990
350 Long Wheel Base Jumbo Ext Frame (103 kW 6 speed manual) $60,290
350 Long Wheel Base Jumbo EF Dual Sliding Door (103 kW 6 speed manual) $60,990
430 Long Wheel Base Jumbo Ext Frame. DRW (103 kW 6 speed manual) $62,790
430 Long Wheel Base Jumbo EF Dual Sliding Door. DRW (103 kW 6 speed manual) $63,490
350 Long Wheel Base C/Cab (103 kW 6 speed manual) $48,090
430 Long Wheel Base C/Cab (103 kW 6 speed manual) $51,290
12 Seater Bus (103 kW 6 speed manual) $62,390
14 Seater Bus (103 kW 6 speed manual) $62,890
2006 FORD TRANSIT SPECIFICATIONS
SHORT WHEEL BASE LONG WHEEL BASE JUMBO
Model 2.4L TDCi 2.4L TDCi 2.4L TDCi
Fuel Type Diesel Diesel Diesel
Roof Height (mm) 2083 (low roof); 2398 (med roof) 2394 (med roof); 2606 (high roof) 2624
Length (mm) 4863 5680 6403
Wheelbase (mm) 2933 3750 3750
Engine Location RWD RWD RWD
Transmission 5 sp manual 6 speed manual 6 speed manual
Carrying Capacity
Kerb Weight (kg) 1719 (low roof); 1743 (med roof) 1863 (med roof); 1891 (high roof) 2076
Gross Weight (kg) 3300 3490 4250
Payload (kg) 1581 (low roof); 1557 (med roof) 1627 (med roof); 1599 (high roof) 2174
Key Specifications
Power (kW) 74kW @ 3500rpm 103kW @ 3500rpm 103kW @ 3500rpm
Torque (Nm) 285Nm @ 1600rpm 375Nm @ 2000rpm 375Nm @ 2000rpm
Towing Capacity braked (kg) 2000 2000 2000
Fuel Consumption (l/100km) 8.1 l/100km 8.7 l/100km 9.1 l/100km
Injection Type Common rail; direct injection Common rail; direct injection Common rail; direct injection
Comfort & Convenience
Air Conditioning Optional Optional Optional
Power Windows Optional Optional Optional
Power Mirrors Not Available Optional Optional
CD Player Single Single Single
Safety & Security
Drivers Airbag Standard Standard Standard
Remote Central Locking Standard Standard Standard
ABS Standard Standard Standard
Passenger Airbag Optional Optional Optional
ENDS