The new Ford Transit City is the fifth member of Blue Oval’s growing Transit brand van range, which includes (in descending size order) the Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Connect and Transit Courier.
While all previous Transit models are available in different size classes, the Transit City is roughly the same size as the Transit Custom.
In contrast to the Custom, the City is offered exclusively with electric drive and is manufactured by Ford’s Chinese joint venture partner JMC (Jiangling Motors Corporation) in Nanchang.
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The City is based on the JMC Touring EV. While the two share a platform and mounting points, the Transit City features unique exterior trim with cleaner body finishes and new headlight and taillight units that better match other Transit models.
There are fewer changes to the interior, but the Transit City benefits from a larger 12.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Standard features include push-button start, air conditioning, a rearview camera and a heated driver’s seat.
According to Ford, the two vans also have different drive units and battery packs, with the Transit City being available with just one powertrain and battery combination, at least initially. Under the hood, a 110 kW motor powers the front wheels, paired with a 56 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery installed in the floor.
Ford claims that LFP chemistry is well suited to van operation because degradation is minimal even with normal DC fast charging. The Transit City supports DC fast charging of up to 87 kW and is said to have a WLTP range of around 254 km.
For comparison, the similarly sized E-Transit Custom has a 160kW/415Nm motor driving the rear wheels and a 64kWh battery with a WLTP range of just over 300km.
There will be three body styles: L1H1 (short wheelbase, regular height); L2H2 (medium wheelbase, high roof); and cab chassis.
According to Ford, the maximum payload is 1275 kg, with the L2H2 variant having a loading length of over 3.0 m and a loading volume of 8500 l.
Although the Transit City backlog will be available soon, pricing has yet to be confirmed Autocar expects the range to start at under £30,000 (A$57,700).
If true, it will significantly undercut the existing E-Transit Custom, which starts at £43,630 (A$84,000). In fact, it will be cheaper than the diesel Transit Custom, which starts at £33,750 (A$65,000).
Deliveries of the Transit City will arrive in the UK around the end of the year.
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