- Willing turbo-diesel engines
- Refined manual transmissions
- Comfortable, supportive driver’s seat
- Comfortable ride
- Light, accurate steering
- Noise from turbo-diesel engines
- Front passenger seats lack thigh support
- Steering wheel lacks height adjustment
- Variable interior trim fit
- Underwhelming 2.3-litre petrol engine
Review: Ford VM.I Transit van (2006-11)
Overview
Released in September 2006, the Ford VM Series I (VM.I) Transit van initially consisted of 2.2 TDCi and 2.4 TDCi variants, with a 2.3i – which was LPG conversion compatible – following in early 2007. In March 2008, the range underwent a slight update, with the 2.3i variant discontinued.
In July 2010, the range was expanded with the introduction of the ECOnetic variant which consumed 7.2 litres per 100 km over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle. Compared to the 2.2 TDCi variant on which it was based, the ECOnetic was fitted with low rolling resistance tyres, more aerodynamic wheel covers, a recalibrated engine, low-friction oil and a gearshift indicator; top speed was also limited to 110 km/h.
The front-wheel drive variants – i.e. the 2.2 TDCi and ECOnetic – provided better fuel economy, a lower cargo floor for easier loading and unloading and a lower total height for greater access to car parks. The rear-wheel drive variants – the 2.3i TDCi and 2.4 TDCi – however, provided greater payloads and towing capacity.
| Variant | Years | W/b | Roof | Engine | Drive | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 TDCi | 2006-10 | SWB, MWB |
Low | 2.2-litre turbo-diesel I4 | FWD | 5sp man. | 81 kW at 3500 rpm | 285 Nm at 1750 rpm |
| 2010-11 | 6sp man. | 85 kW at 3500 rpm | 300 Nm at 1800-2000 rpm | |||||
| ECOnetic | 2010-11 | SWB | Low | 2.2-litre turbo-diesel I4 | FWD | 6sp man. | 85 kW at 3500 rpm | 300 Nm at 1800-2000 rpm |
| 2.3i | 2007-08 | SWB | Low | 2.3-litre petrol I4 | RWD | 5sp man. | 104 kW at 5250 rpm | 206 Nm at 3850 rpm |
| MWB, LWB |
Mid | |||||||
| 2.4 TDCi | 2006-11 | SWB | Low | 2.4-litre turbo-diesel I4 | RWD | 6sp man. | 103 kW at 3500 rpm | 375 Nm at 2000 rpm |
| MWB | Mid | |||||||
| LWB | Mid, High |
|||||||
| LWB Jumbo | High |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the VM.I Transit van included a driver’ s airbag and driver’ s seatbelt pretensioner; the 2.3i and 2.4 TDCi variants were also fitted with ABS and electronic brake force distribution.
From March 2008, ABS and electronic brake force distribution were fitted as standard across the range. The LWB 2.4 TDCi Jumbo was also fitted with traction control and electronic stability control.
ANCAP crash testing
In ANCAP crash testing , a Transit 2.2 TDCi SWB with a Low Roof received a three star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 22.53 out of 37. In the offset crash test, the passenger compartment lost integrity in the footwell area such that protection from serious leg injury was poor for the driver, while chest protection was weak for both front occupants. A default score was conferred for the side impact test.
Features
Standard features for the VM.I Transit van included a two speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a 12 volt power outlet and immobiliser. Inside, the Transit was also fitted with cargo storage rails.
Related links
Review: Ford VM.II Transit van (2012-13)
Overview
Released in January 2012, the VM Series II (VM.II) Transit van was powered by a new 2.2-litre-turbo-diesel four cylinder engine which was available in two states of tune for the front and rear wheel drive models. Furthermore, the variant names were revised to be approximately equal to one-tenth of that variant’s Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM).
| Variant | W/b | Roof | Engine | Drive | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 280 | SWB, MWB |
Low | 2.2-litre turbo-diesel I4 | FWD | 6sp man. | 92 kW at 3500 rpm | 330 Nm at 1350-2400 rpm |
| 330 | SWB | Low | 2.2-litre turbo-diesel I4 | FWD | 6sp man. | 92 kW at 3500 rpm | 330 Nm at 1350-2400 rpm |
| 330 | MWB | Mid | 2.2-litre turbo-diesel I4 | RWD | 6sp man. | 114 kW at 3500 rpm | 385 Nm at 1600-2300 rpm |
| 350 | LWB | Mid, High |
2.2-litre turbo-diesel I4 | RWD | 6sp man. | 114 kW at 3500 rpm | 385 Nm at 1600-2300 rpm |
| 350 | LWB Jumbo | High | |||||
| 460 | LWB Jumbo | High | 2.2-litre turbo-diesel I4 | RWD | 6sp man. | 114 kW at 3500 rpm | 385 Nm at 1600-2300 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the VM.II Transit van included a driver’s airbag, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and driver’s seatbelt pretensioners; the 460 LWB Jumbo was further equipped with electronic stability control, traction control and hill launch assist. From December 2012, all Transit vans were fitted with a front passenger airbag as standard.
Furthermore, an optional Professional Pack included a front passenger airbag, electronic stability control, traction control and hill launch assist.
Features
Standard features for the VM.II Transit van included a two speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs (3.5mm/iPod), a six-way adjustable driver’ s seat and four-way adjustable front passenger seat, air conditioning, steering wheel audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, two 12 volt power outlets, an alarm and immobiliser.
The optional Professional Pack added cruise control, rear parking sensors and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
December 2012: Transit van update
In December 2012, standard features were extended to include front fog lights and Bluetooth connectivity with Voice Control; the 350 and 460 LWB Jumbo models were also fitted with a trip computer. Visually, the post-December 2012 models could be identified by their new wheel covers and bodyside mouldings and wheel covers, while the 350 and 460 LWB Jumbo models were fitted with body-coloured grilles.
Related links
- Brochure: Ford VM.II Transit (October 2012)
- Specifications: Ford VM.II Transit (October 2012)
- Ford Newsroom: Ford Transit 280S – Unsurpassed Fuel Economy (November 2011)
- Wikipedia.org: Ford Transit (Fifth generation)
