What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide

Ford claimed it is offering savings of up to 7% on the new light vans compared to the outgoing models.

The Transit Connect is the latest van to come to market in the manufacturer’s lcv product renewal cycle, following the launch of the medium-sized Transit Custom late last year. It precedes the compact Transit Courier and two-tonne Transit, which will arrive in 2014.

Barb Samardzich, Ford of Europe’s vice-president product development, said: “Ford has taken the toughness and dependability of the current Transit Connect, made considerable improvements to the fuel efficiency, added smart new loadspace features, and delivered a dynamic new style.”

Available in single, double cab and Kombi bodystyles with short-wheelbase (L1) and long-wheelbase (L2) versions, the Connect offers load  volumes of 2.9m³ and 3.6m³ with a full bulkhead, or 3.7m³ and 4.4m³ including the front loadspace area. Payloads go up to 1,000kg, which Ford claimed  matches the best in class figures.

A load-through hatch in the bulkhead and fold-flat passenger seat enable long loads of up to 3.0m (L1) and 3.4m (L2) to be carried in the vehicle. In addition, a multi-fold dual passenger seat now allows van models to carry up to three people in the cab. With a width between the wheelarches of 1,226mm, both wheelbases can accommodate two Europallets in the load area.

Ford said the new Connect delivers best-in-class fuel efficiency, with the Econetic model capable of 70.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 105g/km when fitted with a fixed 62mph speed limiter – a 34% improvement over the current model.