SECTOR: Small van PRICE: From €15,390 (approx) FUEL: 5.6 – 4.0l/100km CO2: 105 – 129g/km

It’s 11 years since Ford introduced the first Transit Connect to compete with successful monospace designs such as the Citroën Berlingo and Renault Kangoo. That model, designed to be "Truck Tough", was based on Ford Escort underpinnings and built in Ford’s brand new plant in Turkey.

The latest model, first seen a year ago, is logically based on the Escort replacement, the Focus, or to be more precise, the C-MAX variant. With the transfer of all Transit Custom and Transit production to the Turkish plant, there is no space to produce the smaller Transit model there now. So production has moved to Ford’s Valencia plant in Spain, home of the C-MAX.

Not surprisingly, the new van shares much with the models it’s based on. Headlights and the frontal design leave no doubt that the Connect is a modern Ford. Inside it’s a similar experience, with the dashboard, instruments and controls likely to  be familiar to any Focus or C-MAX driver. So it has many car-like attributes and design features; just what we would expect from a van of this size.

Ford hasn’t been afraid to borrow good ideas from elsewhere either. The cab is available with a dual passenger seat, first seen in this size of van on the Citroën Berlingo/Peugeot Partner. Similarly, Peugeot and Citroën were the first to offer bulkhead through loading for longer items. Ford has taken the idea and developed it further, so that items can be loaded through the folded-down outer passenger seat.

Size is important. Ford has dropped the high roof option for the new model, but retained two wheelbase options. This means a slight reduction in overall load volume for the larger model, down to 3.6m3 with a bulkhead fitted or 4.4m3 without, compared with 3.7m3 for the current model although the through bulkhead loading for the new model offers 0.1m3 more than the current model with folding passenger seat.

What is probably more important to users is the improved load area access and usable space inside. Ford says the new Connect will be the only van in its class permitting the loading of a Europallet through the side loading door. A special profile in the top of the bulkhead also means that 2.4m x 1.2m sheets can be carried in the longer L2 van – of particular interest to the construction sector.

Ford has also raised the payload to match the best-in-class Fiat Doblo/Vauxhall/Opel Combo. L2 Connect will have a choice of 700-1,000kg payloads, while the L1 model will be available with 625-825kg options.

The core engine will be the Ford/PSA 1.6-litre diesel, available in 75hp, 95hp and 115hp variants. The 115hp engines are equipped with a six-speed gearbox, while the lower-powered models are fitted with a five-speed box. There will also be the option of the 100hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine, the first time there has been a serious petrol engine option for the Transit Connect for a few years. Ford will also offer a 150hp 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine with an automated transmission, but this is designed principally for the North American market.

The 1.6-litre diesel engine is familiar enough and performs as expected in the Transit Connect, offering good performance from the 95hp variant and good fuel consumption potential, particularly from the 4.0-litre/100km ECOnetic variant. In terms of refinement, it’s a clear step ahead of the outgoing model. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost should not be underestimated either. It might lack the diesel's torque, but was quite capable of giving good performance to a part-laden van.

Verdict:

Ford was lagging behind with the outgoing Transit Connect, but on first impressions, the new model is set to go straight to the top of its class.