Ford Transit Connect wins international award

The all-new Ford Transit Connect has just won thew “International Van of the Year 2014” award at the Contrans commercial vehicle exhibition in Moscow. Ford became the first single manufacturer to win the award for two consecutive years and Ford registered a record-equalling fifth success with this award.

The Transit Connect finished ahead of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with the Renault Kangoo in third place.

“The all-new Transit Connect has moved the game on for compact vans – and we are really proud to win this significant award again,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president of Product Development, Ford of Europe. “The new Transit Connect is just as tough and hard-working as all our commercial vehicle range, and comes with smart new looks and much lower fuel bills.”

As Ford completely redesigns its entire commercial vehicle line-up over a two-year period, the stylish new Transit Connect joins an all-new four-strong Transit range, alongside the Transit Custom and the forthcoming 2-tonne Transit and Transit Courier to be launched in 2014.

The Transit Connect offers van operators class-leading fuel economy, load carrying ability and durability, with the ECOnetic model delivering 4.0 l/100 km (70.6 mpg) and CO2 emissions of 105 g/km* – a 34 per cent improvement versus the current model. The highly fuel-efficient 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine also offers class-leading petrol economy.

Available in Van, Double-Cab-in-Van and Kombi bodystyles, the Transit Connect also offers a spacious and practical load area with total volumes of 2.9 m3 and 3.6 m3 with a full bulkhead; maximum payloads of up to 1,000 kg match the best in class figure.

The all-new Transit Connect is now available to order for delivery in late 2013. It may or may not arrive by the end of next month (October), the deadline for the prestigious Continental Irish van of the Year award.