Ford Transit 280 SWB ECOnetic Review: Mark Bursa
Ford Transit 280 SWB ECOnetic
What is it?
NEW Euro Stage V-compliant version of Ford’s small Transit eco-warrior. Latest ECOnetic Transit model is more expensive than the old version it replaces, but more economical and laden with technology, including stop-start and a speed limiter.
What’s hot?
- No change to the exterior styling, but we like the new ‘Mars Red’ colour of our test van
- Comfortable cab is unchanged, with comfortable cloth seats
- Dashboard has all the familiar Transit cubbyholes, cup-holders and document storage
- New 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi engines are much more refined thanks to lower compression ratio and higher injection pressure
- Other refinements make for much quieter in-cab environment than ever before on a Transit
- Steel bulkhead is standard feature – and helps keep cab noise low
- Build quality is excellent – very few rattles and squeaks
- Dashboard-mounted gearbox now has six speeds as standard, and it retains its short, precise shift
- New 100PS 2.2-litre Duratorq engine is smooth, with improved torque of 310Nm
- Stop-start works well, and speed limiter helps boost fuel economy to 43.5mpg combined – almost 10mpg better than Stage IV Ford Transit 260S we tested last year
- CO2 emissions are just 173g/km, or 178g/km without the speed limiter
- Low-revving engine means comfortable 40mph cruising at below 1,500rpm
- Safety is paramount – standard features include Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)…
- …as well as Hill Launch Assist (HLA) and ABS brakes with EBD
- New features include a rear-view parking camera…
- …while simple sat-nav gives good graphics and instructions
- Service intervals have been increased to 20,000 miles or 12 months, which helps reduce costs…
- …while residuals are likely to be better than Stage IV Transits
What’s not?
- Speed limiter might not be to everyone’s taste, though it does save money
- Likewise stop-start, though this does work well; you can switch it off
- Dashboard mobile phone holders are so 2006 – they’ll take an old Nokia, but not an iPhone or a Blackberry
- Rear doors open 180 degrees, but don’t lock in the fully open mode – a strong gust of wind blows them back
- Interior lights in the load area still look fragile and easy to smash
- List prices are higher than Stage IV Transits, model-for-model
What you need to Know
| P11D Value: | £19,045 |
| Monthly Rental: * | £n/a |
| What will it be worth: ** | £ |
| GVW: | |
| Payload: | 900kg |
| Loadspace Volume: | 6.55cu m |
| Basic Loadspace Dimensions: | |
| Engine: | 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi Diesel |
| CO2 Emissions: | 173g/km |
| Power/torque: | 100PS/310Nm |
| Economy: | 43.5mpg |
** Trade value of van if purchased after three years and 60,000 miles. (Powered by Deltapoint)
Business Van Manager Road Test Rating
You’re hard-pressed to notice any difference visually – just blue numbers on the model badges instead of red – but this is a very important facelift for the Ford Transit. As well as much-improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions, the new Euro V turbodiesel engines are much smoother and quieter than the previous-generation motors. Add to that some neat new technology and significantly lower running costs and Ford can justify the fairly hefty price rises applied to the latest versions. A very good upgrade for the UK’s market leader.
Also Consider
Read our road test of the Euro IV Ford Transit ECOnetic
Click on the link: Transit ECOnetic – fuel-saving Tranny
