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The What Van? Road Test: Ford Transit Custom MHEV (2019)
Date: Monday, April 6, 2020
Engine and gearbox
Equipped with a variable-geometry turbocharger and employing a particulate filter, the Custom’s four-cylinder 16-valve diesel Ecoblue common-rail direct fuel-injection diesel produces maximum power at 3,500rpm. Top torque of 360Nm bites across a 1,500-2,000rpm plateau.
Selective catalytic reduction is fitted, which means that AdBlue is required to ensure the Custom meets the Euro6 exhaust emission regulations. It is held in a 21-litre reservoir and the filler point is beneath a flap on the nearside of the van’s body next to the diesel filler point.
A six-speed manual gearbox is the only transmission offered on MHEV models. A six-speedautomatic is available as an option on its standard diesel stablemates.
Driving
Once again Ford has come up with a slick, quick gear-change that makes it easy to get the best out of the Custom’s willing engine. Acceleration away from rest and up through the gears is strong thanks in part to the van’s MHEV technology, and a long drive from Herefordshire to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and back showed that the Custom is as competent on motorways as it is around town.
It rides well, even when lightly laden, and its handling is pin-sharp. Torque vectoring control, standard on the Custom, clearly helps. It reacts to the road surface 100 times a second, says Ford, balancing the amount of power delivered to each of the driven wheels in order to maximise grip.
Nor is the level of in-cab noise an issue. Wind and road noise are both well-suppressed, aside from a bit of noise from the tyres. The only time engine noise is noticeable is under acceleration, when the driver is rewarded by an encouraging growl.
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