Ford recently launched the new Transit “2-tonne”, replacing the large Transit van first launched in 2000 and updated in 2006. The new Transit 2-tonne ECOnetic offers EU combined fuel consumption of 6.9l/100km, with CO2 emissions of 179g/km. How close could we get to that over a route of around 2,000km? A furniture collection and delivery to the west of Ireland gave us an opportunity to find out.

Low emission ECOnetic

Fuel consumption is a priority for most fleets and like its predecessor, the latest Transit ECOnetic offers a range of fuel consumption reduction technologies. Acceleration Control, first launched on the Transit Custom, limits acceleration to that of a 50% loaded van. Others include engine Stop/Start, smart regenerative charging and Ford’s battery management system. Then there’s an “ECO”mode – which is activated automatically but can be switched off by the driver. This limits top speed to 110km/h, helping to cut motorway fuel consumption. European Transits are powered by versions of the existing Transit 2.2-litre diesel engine, driving either front or rear wheels through a six-speed gearbox.

Sister publication VAN Fleet World is currently running a Transit ECOnetic. The 125hp 350 L3 H2 front-wheel-drive model features UK base specification. That means electric windows, but manual adjustment for the large door mirrors, remote central deadlocking and a full-steel bulkhead. Other equipment includes an adjustable driver’s seat, reach and rake adjustable steering column, storage space under the dual passenger seat, Bluetooth enabled radio with USB connectivity and remote controls.

The route

Starting from Bath in the UK, I drove 132km south to Hayling Island near Portsmouth for the first collection. From there, I headed 351km north east to Hingham in Norfolk, where I collected more furniture and a second driver. The final stage on day 1 was a 221km drive to Banbury to collect more furniture and a third driver.

From here we set off 365km north, early on day 2 for the Stena Line fast ferry to Dublin from Holyhead in north-west Wales. Then on arrival in Dublin, we crossed Ireland to our final destination near Clifden in County Galway, some 317km away.

For the return journey, we reversed our route across Ireland and back to Banbury, before I returned the van to the Van Fleet World offices at St Albans north of London, the following day. Altogether we covered 2,173km on road.

Loading

The Transit’s side loading door, standard in UK specification, is wide enough to load a Europallet and the load area is 1,784mm wide at the widest point, able to accommodate two Europallets side by side. Ford has moved most of the substantial tie-down eyes from the floor to the body sides. Our mixed load came nowhere near challenging the Transit’s 1,479kg payload. The re-located lashing points proved their worth, ensuring the strapped down load didn’t move for the entire journey and making it easier to slide items across the load floor.

On the road…

The latest Transit is not alone in demonstrating low engine noise levels, but it makes a big difference on a long journey like this. Exploring the economy potential of the van meant we used the default “ECO” setting. Acceleration control and the gear change indicator helped us to make the best use of the Transit’s 350Nm of torque between 1,450 and 2,000rpm. The high sixth gear gives under 2,000rpm at the limited speed.

OUTBOUND

Day 1

Day 1 proved to be the hottest day of the year to date in the UK with temperatures reaching an indicated 30°C. Air conditioning would have helped, but with just me in the cab, it was tolerable. With three aboard, the centre passenger could do with a bit more legroom, but regular driver changes made sure no-one sat in the middle for too long.

Our route to Hayling Island is half motorway, while to Norfolk it is mostly motorway and fast road. A serious accident on the A11 in Suffolk brought traffic to a standstill while the road was closed. Fortunately, by the time we had loaded up at Hingham, the road had been re-opened in our direction.

This and traffic delays on the M25 around London slowed our progress and it was 5:00pm before we left Hingham for Banbury. With no motorway on our route and a good proportion of single carriageway road, it helped to keep our fuel consumption down, finishing the day after 689km with an average of 7.2l/100km, a good result, considering the windy conditions in the afternoon and evening.

Day 2

We were up early to make the 10:30am Stena Line crossing from Holyhead. Today would not be so kind to fuel consumption. Having joined the M40 motorway north, the rest of the UK route was motorway followed by fast roads all the way to the ferry terminal. By the Knutsford Service Area in Cheshire on the M6 motorway, fuel consumption had dropped back to 7.7l/100km. Rain later did little to help and we reached the ferry terminal in good time. The last time we would be able to say that on this trip!

The sea crossing was near perfect, ensuring that we docked on time. Getting through Dublin and heading west used to be a real challenge, because of the almost complete lack of signposts and the lack of good roads. Ireland did not have a motorway network 10 years ago.

Not any more. Regular signposts in Dublin lead to the M50 motorway and out to the new motorway network. Then, it’s motorway and fast roads all the way to Galway city.

It’s a different story west of Galway. Here the narrow, single carriageway N59 threads between mountain and lake – a spectacular sight in the prevailing good weather. By 6:00pm we were at our destination overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on a warm summer’s evening. 1,392km and fuel consumption had slipped back to 8.4l/100km.

RETURN

Day 1

It started so well, with a relaxed drive towards Galway in fine weather. It was only as we approached the city that I realised I had misread the ferry departure time. We were going to miss it. A hasty call to the Stena Line office in Dublin brought more bad news. The next crossing, from Dublin port was full and we would have to wait until 8:30pm for the next crossing. That meant a midnight arrival at Holyhead and a 4:00am arrival at Banbury.

The upside of our late arrival in Wales was that the roads were clear, traffic building gradually as we travelled further south, with a steady line of trucks on the M6. The sky lightened as we approached Banbury and we arrived as dawn was taking hold.

Day 2

The return to St Albans, via a meeting in Luton seemed a bit quiet. 2,173km at an average of 8.4l/100km may be short of the claimed fuel figures, but the van was new, with less than 2,000km on the clock at the start. The amount of motorway driving also worked against better fuel economy and those on more mixed driving cycles should expect better.

What did my co-drivers think? They were both impressed by the all-round visibility from the large door mirrors with the wide-angle lower sections. They were also impressed with the low engine noise levels, comfortable seats and generous storage. Ride comfort also scored well. We all agreed air conditioning would have been welcome as well as more legroom for the middle passenger, but overall, the 2-tonne Transit has made a good start.