Ford is to bring back its car-derived Fiesta Van just a year after withdrawing the model from production in response to what it perceives to be a growing demand from city-based customers for small petrol vans in particular.
A spokesman for the blue oval brand told What Van? the market dynamic had changed since Ford decided to drop the Fiesta Van and run with the Transit Courier as its sole representative in the compact van sector from April 2017. He said there was now increased demand from urban operators for small, economical vans with a choice of fuels.
Ford unveiled the new Fiesta Sport Van at the Commercial Vehicle Show on 24 April, prior to its forthcoming return to its line-up in autumn this year.
Based on the latest Fiesta passenger car, which the manufacturer launched last year, the Sport Van is powered by the 1.0-litre 125hp petrol EcoBoost engine and is also available with the 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine with 120hp.
It has a payload of 500kg and a load volume of 1.0m3 compared to the 660kg and 2.4m3 capacities of the Courier.
Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system is included as standard on the Fiesta Van and comes with an 8in colour touchscreen.
The van also features the brand’s new FordPass Connect on-board modem technology, which provides wifi connectivity for up to 10 devices.
The FordPass mobile app can supply vehicle health alerts to advise when a service is required or give updates on fuel levels or tyre pressures as well as providing a vehicle locator to enable drivers to find their vans in busy car parks. A remote door lock and unlock facility is also part of the package.
In 2016 Ford sold 4,076 Fiesta Vans next to 3,050 sales for the Courier.
