First Drive: Ford Transit Sportvan Red

Date: Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The latest and sixth Ford Transit Sportvan is probably the most striking yet. A not-so subtle brand of Colorado Red paintwork with white bonnet stripes makes for a van that’s not going to go unnoticed.

This limited edition Sportvan was one of a 100-vehicle run, following on from the Performance Blue (500 vehicles), Sea Grey (80), Panther Black (500), Frozen White (80) and Ink Blue (150) limited runs of the Sportvan that have gone before.
What’s unique about this one is that Ford claims it’s the first medium van to be fitted with a standard DAB digital radio. That adds to a standard kit that includes stunning 18-inch graphite alloys, leather steering wheel and gear lever, cruise control, trip computer, auto lights and wipers, tinted glass and Bluetooth. Oh yes, plus front and rear spoilers, side skirts and extended wheel arches. Our vehicle’s optional LED daytime running lights finished off the effect.
Low-profile tyres sitting on those lovely alloys mean the ride is sometimes a little short of comfortable, and the overt styling elicits a range of reactions from fellow road users, some better than others. Power comes from the regular 140hp 2.2 diesel, which is plenty for the SWB 260 Transit, even when lugging a decent load. The load bay gets a standard protection kit.
Priced at £22,880 plus VAT, the Colorado Red Sportvan costs a bit over £2000 more than the same size van in Limited spec, but you get plenty of extra kit for the money, which is just one reason behind the popularity of the Transit’s Sportvan editions. The bad news is, like all the previous Sportvans, the Colorado Red run is already completely sold out.

 

Verdict
Overt yet appealing special edition that’s well-specced for the money, but limited run means they’re scarce. 



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