As if we weren’t already excited enough for the electric Ford Transit and AWD Ford Transit, here’s some recent news that’s sure to get your blood pumping. Ford has just announced “Go-anywhere” Tail and Active variants for the 2020 Transit and Tourneo. The bad news? They’ll only be available in the UK (North American residents and the rest, proceed to exasperated fist-shaking).
Ford Transit Trail and Active Models for 2020
The new Trail and Active variants of the Transit and Tourneo models are both available to be ordered for late summer delivery in the UK.
The Ford Transit Trail and Transit Custom Trail front-wheel-drive models will come standard with a new mechanical limited-slip differential (mLSD). The AWD Transit Trail will have the option of adding Intelligent all-wheel drive.
The mLSD was developed in partnership with Quaife and “automatically transfers engine torque in low grip conditions to the wheel with the most traction, allowing Transit Trail and Transit Custom Trail to more comfortably tackle unpaved roads, gravel tracks, and rugged or challenging surfaces.” The Transit’s electronic stability control system was recalibrated to work seamlessly with the mLSD to improve handling and traction without impacting CO2 emissions or fuel economy.
Intelligent all-wheel-drive technology on the Transit Trail will be adjustable via a drive mode selector on the dashboard. Ford describes it as being, “designed to improve performance and driver confidence across a variety of driving scenarios. Intelligent all-wheel drive also features AWD Lock mode to split torque 50:50 between front and rear axles on extreme low-grip surfaces.”
“The Active and Trail models demonstrate how versatile and capable the Transit range can be,” said General Manager of Commercial Vehicles Hans Schep from Ford of Europe. “From businesses that operate off the beaten track to families who want a vehicle as adventurous as they are, there is a Transit to suit every need.”
In addition to performance upgrades, the Trail and Active series Transits will receive visual makeovers including matte-black grilles reminiscent of the Ford Raptor with an oversized Ford badge, alloy wheels in 16- and 17-inch sizes (depending on model), and additional black cladding around the front and rear lower bumpers and side panels. The Transit Trail will come standard with leather upholstery, air conditioning, a heated windscreen, power-folding door mirrors, and automatic lighting.
The Transit Trail and Transit Custom Trail both come standard with Ford’s 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine with a choice of 130 PS, 170 PS, and 185 PS power outputs. The Transit Custom Trail will have the added benefit of Ford’s Hybrid powertrain which recovers energy during deceleration and stores it in a 48-volt battery bank to improve fuel efficiency.
To read Ford’s complete description of the new Transit and Tourneo, visit their website here.
