Ford has revealed details of its new E-Transit Courier before the compact van makes its debut at the Commercial Vehicle Show on 18 April.
The E-Transit Courier will not come to market until 2024, but will be preceded by petrol and diesel versions this year.
The new E-Transit Courier is bigger than the previous generation ICE Courier, which improves its load-carrying capabilities, according to Ford. It has a load volume of 2.9m3, compared to 2.3m3 on the outgoing model, and a load length of 1,803mm, which is up from 1,621mm on its predecessor and can be stretched to 2,661mm with an optional load-through bulkhead, designed to accommodate items such as ladders or pipes.
Ford says a new rear suspension design has led to a 208mm increase in the width between the wheel arches to 1,220mm, which enables the van to carry two Euro pallets as opposed to one previously. Maximum loading height increases from 1,244mm to 1,253mm and the E-Transit Courier has a payload of 700kg, up from 582kg in the previous generation.
Ford says the loadspace dimensions are the same for all Transit Courier powertrain variants but weight-carrying capacities differ: petrol and diesel versions offer a standard payload of 678kg but a High Payload option increases this to 845kg, while the petrol Courier has a maximum trailer weight of 1,000kg, the diesel 1,100kg and the electric 750kg.
The manufacturer is launching four lock packs developed with TVL Security with the Courier, which are available as factory-fitted options. These complement a suite of new Ford Pro software alarms and sensors designed to alert operators to attacks.
A 100kW (136hp) electric motor will power the E-Transit Courier. The manufacturer says an 11kW AC onboard charger will provide a charge from 10% to 100% in 5.7 hours, and a 100kW DC fast charger will deliver 10% to 80% in less than 35 minutes as well as adding 54 miles in just ten minutes. Ford Pro has not yet revealed details of the E-Transit Courier’s battery or its expected range, however.
Customers can also opt for a 1.0-litre 125hp Ecoboost petrol engine or a 1.5 100hp diesel engine. A six-speed manual transmission is standard but the petrol engine is also offered with a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Auto start-stop and an active grille shutter are standard to boost efficiency.
Ford predicts non-scheduled maintenance costs will be 35% lower for the electric Transit Courier compared to ICE models.
The electric van’s exterior features a high bonnet line, upright grille with integrated headlights and an LED light bar.
Amko Leenarts, design director, Ford of Europe said: “There’s a touch of SUV-ness in the design.”
The interior includes a “squircle” steering wheel that Ford claims increases legroom and visibility, a 12-inch digital cluster and 12-inch Sync 4 touchscreen and an optional, foldaway flat surface large enough for a laptop.
