Ford E‑Transit Courier revealed

06/04/2023 Ford’s E‑Transit Courier has been revealed to the European media and Motorhub has the details of the vehicle that will go on sale at the end of 2024 for 2025 registration. The Ford Courier will be available in three fuel options: the EV, a 1 litre petrol and a 1.5 litre diesel. The engined versions go in to production sooner than the EV – at the end of this year. Hans Schep of Ford Pro, talked of the brand’s innovative track record as he revealed the smallest, entry point vehicle to the Ford commercial range in critical electric form. He said how the Courier is a much loved van by owner/operators and fleet buyers alike. The new E-Transit Courier is designed to be a ‘smart connectivity’ offering for businesses and is built on a modified version of the Ford Puma’s front wheel drive platform. The baby Ford van will join the larger E-Transit and E-Transit Custom in all their guises. Ford’s R&D centre in Otosan, Turkey has led the development and the van will be built at the new Ford plant there. Ford Pro will produce over 900,000 vehicles by 2025. As you’d expect Ford talked extensively with its customers to ensure its latest van will meet and exceed customers expectations. You can spot an electric Courier by its stylish front light bar. There is a new and prominent grille and headlights that give the van a blockier look at the front. Its wheels are positioned out to the extremities to maximise interior space. The E-Transit Courier is bigger and notably 180mm longer to bring it in line with rivals. The cabin is modernised and now looks very high tech. There are clever stowage and flat surfaces to aid in-cab working, the EV gets a large 12 inch digital touch screen as standard (ICE versions get an 8 inch screen as standard). More space is the theme, with a load volume up by 25%. Revised rear suspension housing (still twist beam) means there is now a 1.2+ metre load space between rear suspension arches – allowing two euro pallets to fit. Th new body can take loads as long as 1.8m. Payload weight design is 750kg, and towing is rated for a maximum of 1,100kgs. Ford told Motorhub that battery capacity and maximum range from a full charge will be announced nearer its launch. Ford is presently developing just one battery size. The van’s single electric motor pushes out a respectable 136hp and 290nm torque. It will have 11kW AC charging ability and will be able to charge at up to 100kW DC at a fast charger. Battery preconditioning will also feature. The Blue Oval charge network was mentioned and more on this subscription/discounted electricity will be announced in the coming months. Ford expects the E-Transit Courier to be able to charge from 10-80% of battery capacity in 35 minutes. The EV will be circa 35% lower in running costs than the diesel variant. A host of ADAS will be available and the standard safety driving assistance systems will be class leading. The car will be fully connected and telemetry will be able to inform the vehicle’s base of how the van is being used – including whether emergency braking has been activated and other interventions. Ford sees electrification picking up rapidly with 75% of commercials expected to be electric by the end of the decade – and fully by 2035. Ford knows where the market is going – but not necessarily how fast it’s getting there, and was reluctant to define its power mix with Courier between petrol, diesel and electric. Michael Sheridan