Ford TRANSIT Parts | 2019 - 2023 | EcoBlue mHev E-Transit #A087K805K
This is about the Transit Mk8 van from the sixth generation, also somewhat confusingly known as the Transit Mk8. Presented in 2014 and heavily revised in 2019, it is the best public transport, being more practical, better to drive, and cheaper to run. With a major update in 2019, we do not expect major changes to the big Transit 2020. But if this situation changes, Parkers readers will be the first to know. Ford Transit 2019 facelift In 2019, this model received a major facelift - a process Ford generally refers to as MCA or Mid-Cycle Action. The revised Transit features a new front design, with redesigned grille and bumpers, as well as new daytime running lights, but more significantly, it also comes with increased payload, an updated cabin, and a host of new technologies. This technology includes new 4G connectivity, improved engines with up to 185 HP, electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), and even a mild hybrid electric vehicle (mHEV) option called EcoBlue Hybrid. A fully electric version of the Transit will be released for sale in 2021. Meanwhile, the payload improvements come from a whole series of individual weight-saving measures, including a new rear axle design for rear-wheel-drive models, a new wheel manufacturing technique, a new aluminum hood, and a new composite bulkhead. Consequently, rear-wheel-drive models see a payload increase of up to 80 kg, and front-wheel-drive models see it increased by up to 48 kg. We have driven the 2019 Transit facelift and you will find full details about it in this review, alongside our extensive experience of the pre-facelift model. What is the Ford Transit? For the first time, this Ford Transit is just a large van, which means it competes in what was previously known as the 2.0-ton class. As such, it now leads a diverse family of (smaller) Ford van models, all now featuring Transit in their titles: Ford Transit Custom (medium van) Ford Transit Connect (small van) Ford Transit Courier (compact van) Although manufactured abroad, the latest Transit was designed and engineered in the UK. It is now a "global vehicle," meaning it is sold on six continents, including, for the first time, in the USA. Ford Transit body styles, variants, and trim levels Ford Transit is available as a regular panel van, Double-Cab-in-Van (DCiV) with a second row of seats, chassis cab (including the new chassis cab introduced in July 2018), and minibus variants. We focus on the Ford Transit van, which has been available since launch in two trim levels: Base (now known as Leader) and Trend. A third higher specification level called Transit Limited joined the range as part of the 2019 facelift. The panel van has three body lengths (L2, L3, and L4), two wheelbases (SWB and LWB), and two roof heights (H2 and H3) - you can find full details about all of these on our dedicated Ford Transit dimensions page. Ford Transit Engines Euro 5 and Euro 6 The original Transit specification of 2.2-liter Euro 5 turbodiesel engines was replaced with new 2.0-liter EcoBlue turbodiesel engines in 2017 to meet Euro 6 emissions standards. The introduction of the 2.0-liter engines coincided with a series of other technological upgrades, including for the first time the availability of a six-speed automatic gearbox. At the same time, a more powerful 185 HP engine version was added at the top of the range. More information about all of this in the Driving section of this review. Ford Transit Rivals The popularity, quality, and appreciated prices of the Transit mean it bridges the gap between older, more budget-oriented vans and more modern competitors from premium German manufacturers. Thus, rivals range from the Citroen Relay / Fiat Ducato / Peugeot Boxer types and the Renault Master / Nissan NV400 / Vauxhall Movano types right up to the latest Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Volkswagen Crafter / MAN TGE. The Transit holds its own against all. Ford Transit Verdict Combining strong value with ease of use, an excellent driving experience, lots of technology, and an extensive dealer network offering plenty of direct order options, the Ford Transit remains a benchmark large van. There are cheaper rivals, many of which can carry more payload, but these are also typically older vans with limited safety equipment and reduced comfort. There are also more premium rivals offering lots of technology and refinement - but at a higher cost and usually without any payload advantage. In other words, the Transit occupies an excellent middle ground, offering a high-quality and versatile van at a reasonable cost. Its no surprise, then, that it is so popular with all kinds of buyers. Ford Transit Driving Experience Comfortable and very easy to drive Good engines, though not always the quietest Innovative - but not essential - EcoBlue hybrid technology Ford Transit is very easy to drive for a large van. It feels much smaller than its actual size on the road and is far from intimidating, even for inexperienced large vehicle drivers. This applies even to the super-long L4 versions. The Transit is available with front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD), and all-wheel drive (AWD). In general, sales are evenly split between front and rear-wheel-drive models, with all-wheel-drive Transits remaining a more specialized choice. However, below we have driving impressions with the all-wheel-drive Ford Transit. Ford Transit Euro 5 Engines This generation of Ford Transit was launched with a range of three 2.2-liter TDCi turbodiesel engines, offering the following outputs: 100 HP / 310 Nm 125 HP / 350 Nm 155 HP / 385 Nm At launch in 2014, we tested the 2.2-liter 125 HP and 155 HP engines in both front and rear-wheel drive, with a 500 kg payload on board. Ford Transit Euro 6 Engines In the summer of 2016, a new range of 2.0-liter EcoBlue turbodiesel engines (known within Ford as Panther engines) joined the Transit range - although these did not start arriving at UK dealers in significant numbers until 2017. The power sources for the Transit 2.0-liter engines are as follows: 105 HP / 360 Nm 130 HP / 385 Nm 170 HP / 405 Nm An additional 185 HP / 415 Nm variant was added to the range as part of the 2019 facelift. Despite their smaller size, all Euro 6 engines are impressively vigorous, as they offer 20% lower torque earlier in the rev range, an advantage you can clearly feel on the road. We tested each output in a variety of conditions, and even the least powerful 105 HP version is a strong performer, and that was with a 600 kg test weight in the back. These engines are also quieter than those they replace, making every journey so pleasant. Ford Transit Engines - 2019 facelift onwards On the surface, it seems not much has changed for the post-facelift engine lineup, except that there is a new 185 HP power at the top of the range; the other three engine options offer exactly the same power and torque figures as before. But, in fact, each of the new engines receives a revised turbocharger, a new piston design, an on-demand oil pump, and higher-pressure fuel injection. As a result, they are said to be more responsive and efficient. Ford Transit - 2019 facelift model, front view Driven in isolation, there is no extremely obvious difference - although it proved to us that the new engines are more powerful than before, the rear-wheel-drive variants prove to be particularly noisy inside. Whether this is the result of engine updates or changes to some materials as part of the facelift weight-saving program to boost its payload, we are not sure. But the new aluminum hood and composite packages along with the higher-pressure injectors certainly havent made the van quieter. As a result, refinement is an area where the Transit now definitely loses out to the latest German rivals - especially the VW Crafter and MAN TGE. Although honestly updated Renault Master and Vauxhall Movano will give Ford a run for its money in this area. That being said, tested with half payload, the Transit engines continue to feel well up to the task of effortlessly shifting a lot of stuff. Youll just have to speak up a bit when talking to your companions in the cab. What is the Transit EcoBlue Hybrid? Transit EcoBlue Hybrid is a new version of mild hybrid electric vehicles - sometimes labeled mHEV - which is available at the end of 2019 with the 130 HP 2.0-liter diesel engine; the mHEV package uses new 48v electric technology and can be fitted to all EcoBlue engines, but in the UK it is 130 HP only to start to see what interest there is. Dont be fooled by the "hybrid" part of the name - this is not a Transit that can run on electric power for any significant period (youll have to wait for the fully electric Transit to come in 2021 for that, or downsize to the Transit Custom PHEV). Instead, mHEV uses a starter-generator and a small lithium-ion battery pack stored under the passenger seat to try to save fuel during regular driving. Driving Transits with and without the technology on board, we couldnt really tell much difference, except for how the engine stops as soon as you press the clutch at low speeds. This is good news in the sense that day-to-day driving with the EcoBlue Hybrid is no different from any other Transit. But without even an indicator to tell you when extra energy is being recovered or when the extra battery is being used, there is not much immediate sense of satisfaction from paying for this at this stage. On large fleets, where every tiny improvement in fuel economy makes a difference, we can see the point of it. But for small operations, it seems difficult to justify at this point - a change in driving style among heavy-footed drivers could bring greater cost savings. Does the switch to electric power steering make a difference? The short answer is no. The Transit has always had good steering for a van, and replacing the traditional hydraulic power steering with electric power-assisted steering for the 2019 facelift makes no difference. This remains a van that is easy to drive with confidence and quick and easy to place exactly on the road. What electric assistance does is allow a whole new selection of driver aids and safety systems - such as lane-keeping assistance and automatic parking. Ford Transit gearbox options All Transits of this generation come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, which is very user-friendly through a dashboard-mounted gear lever. An optional six-speed automatic became available for the first time on front-wheel-drive models with the introduction of Euro 6 engines in 2016. This works well enough, even if it is far from a cutting-edge design (though new to Transit, it has been used in other Fords for over 10 years). Useful for drivers regularly dealing with traffic jams, but not a particularly popular option on this model. Starting in spring 2020, rear-wheel-drive Transits will be available with a new 10-speed automatic option, which could see the number of automatic Transits increase significantly. Good visibility A high seating position and a relatively low dashboard mean youll have a good view of the road ahead, while the dual-section door mirrors help you keep track of whats happening behind. Options are available, including a reversing camera, blind spot monitors, and parking sensors to make maneuvering this van even easier. Onboard technology, including FordPass Connect and FordPass Pro The big technical upgrade is the new FordPass Connect 4G modem, available across the range. This not only powers an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices but also enables new connectivity features. For large fleets, this means new Ford Telematics and Ford Data Services options, which can help track vehicle health and driver behavior. But the more exciting development is the FordPass Pro app, which targets owner-operators and small fleets of up to five vans. This is a no-nonsense smart smartphone app that gives you instant access to van information - such as whether it is locked and if it has any immediate maintenance issues. The app will also allow you to lock and unlock the van remotely, start it remotely if its automatic (so you can start the defrosting process on a cold morning before leaving the house), and delve deeper into the vehicles status, with information including fuel level, oil life, and tire pressures. Ford Transit Facelift EcoBlue 2020 Service Intervals The original 2.2-liter Euro 5 engines are considered to go 25,000 km or two years between dealer visits, while at launch, the 2.0-liter Euro 6 engines were supposed to achieve intervals of 31,000 km or two years. However, following "real-world experience" (see oil change issues), in 2018, Ford quietly changed the official policy of Euro 6 engines to "a variable service interval up to two years." The short way to explain this is: change the oil whenever the van tells you to. The slightly longer explanation is that light vans can go up to 20,000 km or two years between services (two years being the absolute maximum), while those regularly subjected to heavy loads and high engine speeds will need maintenance much sooner than that. Ford recommends an annual "safety check" even if the service light hasnt come on. Ford Transit Warranty and additional service information The Transit is covered by a standard three-year, 100,000 km warranty. There is also a 12-year anti-perforation warranty for the bodywork, but make sure you get this checked at every service or it may be difficult to claim. Ford has a scheme called Transit24 where service booking requests can be made online. It also has an increasing fleet of mobile service vehicles, so in some cases, you wont even have to visit the dealer for care. A "Ford Assistance" package with "load continuation" is also available, where in case of breakdown, the van load can be delivered during vehicle repair. Ford Transit Euro 6 mpg Currently, there is no green equivalent for the 2.0-liter Euro 6 engine range, but fuel economy is rated at 42.2mpg in the pre-facelift range, and these should be more efficient on board. That being said, the 2.0-liter engines use a 21-liter AdBlue tank, which will need refilling every 5,000-6,000 km, adding to your costs. The updated 2.0-liter engines, fitted after the 2019 facelift, promise a 7% higher real-world fuel economy, although confusingly, the best on-paper fuel economy for these is lower at 40.9mpg. This is because the official testing standard has changed to a new WLTP procedure, so even though Ford (and many other van manufacturers) are converting figures to the older NEDC format, there is still a change that should make them more realistic - and therefore lower on paper. The EcoBlue Hybrid models available now with the updated engines are said to bring a 3% improvement in overall driving economy and 8% in urban driving. Ford Transit Euro 6 intervals and oil change issues The 2.0-liter engines introduced in 2016 happily meet the latest Euro 6 emissions regulations, as well as offering higher performance at every power level and fantastic intervals of 36,000 km. Unfortunately, they also seem to suffer from some teething problems, which Ford has not successfully resolved. The highlighted issues revolve around early oil change requests, a problem that has been attributed so far to software issues, faulty injectors, and even the length of the dipstick... A few things to note about this. First, the onboard computer is the one that decides when a service is due, and if you drive unsympathetically or mostly make short trips, you can expect the van to request an oil change early. Some of the early requests may be for genuine reasons. Secondly, as with the Transit Custom (which suffers from similar issues with the other 2.0-liter engines), Ford sells a lot of these vans, so its hard to say if the number of complaints actually represents an unusually high percentage compared to rivals. Whatever the cause, Ford has now adjusted its service interval recommendations and you should not buy one of these expecting to go 36,000 km between dealer visits. Ford Transit EcoBlue injector issues 2.0-liter EcoBlue engines built in 2019 also had injector issues - to such an extent that, in September 2019, Ford not only launched a field service action (similar to a technical service bulletin or TSB) to replace potentially faulty injectors wherever equipped, it also increased the number of courtesy vehicles available to customers in Europe in an effort to reduce downtime. Ford Transit Safety A drivers airbag is standard, and front passenger, side, and thorax airbags are optional. All Transits benefit from electronic stability control (ESC), which includes Curve Control - software that individually brakes certain wheels to prevent the van from rolling if it enters a curve too quickly. Additionally, there is Trailer Sway Control, which also brakes individual wheels when necessary to reduce the effect of a trailer that has started to sway. A range of optional Ford Transit safety systems is also available, including: Adaptive cruise control Lane Keeping Alert (which uses cameras to monitor the vans position and vibrates the steering wheel to warn the driver if they start to drift out of the lane unintentionally) TMPS tire pressure monitoring Static cornering lights (which shine in the direction you are about to turn - standard on Trend models) The Ford Sync infotainment system also includes an emergency call feature, which can automatically contact the appropriate services if there is no response from the driver in the event of an accident. Ford Transit safety technology upgrades 2016 Starting in the summer of 2016, the Transit was also available with an autonomous emergency braking system (AEB) called pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, traffic sign recognition, and side wind stabilization. Additionally, the rear doors now feature high-visibility gaps to prevent traffic from running into them when opened to 90 degrees. Ford Transit safety technology upgrades 2019 The late 2019 facelift also brought even more safety technology, partly thanks to the new electric power-assisted steering, which allows features like improved lane-keeping assistance. Optional blindspot monitors can now account for a trailer up to 10 m long, while an update to adaptive cruise control will automatically adjust the set speed based on traffic signs. Moreover, you can now have full active park assist, which allows the Transit to park itself. Additionally, Ford has introduced new wide-angle cameras for the front and rear of the van - these practically allow you to see around corners at low speeds - and a rear traffic alert system to help you back out of spaces. The usual optional reversing camera has also been moved to a high mounting position, which not only reduces the chance of it being damaged but also allows you to use it when reversing the van with the doors open - such as when backing up to a loading dock.
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