‘Green’ Transit for £290

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009

Ford has announced the pricing for its new Transit ECOnetic, with the low-CO₂ version of the UK’s best-selling van coming in at £18,095. That’s a £290 price increase over the model it’s based upon, a SWB 280.

According to Ford it can return an average fuel consumption figure of 39.2mpg and CO₂ emissions of 189g/km. That compares with 34.9mpg and 213g/km for the standard van.

Power comes from a 2.2-litre diesel producing 115hp and standard kit includes a six-speed manual gearbox, ESP anti-skid control — including Hill Launch Assist (HLA) — and load area safety equipment, including a full steel bulkhead and solid tie-down points.

“In the real world, a fuel economy saving of 10 per cent can make a major impact on running costs,” said Ford of Britain commercial vehicle director Steve Kimber.

The CO₂-cutting tweaks that give Ford a best-in-class CO₂ figure include low friction oil, modified engine calibration, a 4.36 final drive ratio and new low-drag wheel covers on larger 16in wheels. The ECOnetic also features a 70mph speed limiter and green gearshift indicator light as standard.

The Transit ECOnetic will be followed later this year by a low-emission version of the new Fiesta Van and looking forward to 2010 we wouldn’t be surprised to see a Transit Connect sporting the ECOnetic badge.

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