Ford has already revealed the fully electric e-Transit Custom but we have yet to see the ICE-powered version of the new van. This changes today as our spy photographers nabbed a prototype of the new Ford Transit Custom testing without any camouflage, revealing the styling differences with its EV counterpart.
The vehicle is fitted with the high-roof option, similar to the camouflaged prototype we spied on a few months ago. This time, however, the camouflage wrap is gone, and we get to see the details of the black-painted bodywork.
Also Read: Ford Transit Connect To Be Discontinued From The US After 2023
The biggest difference with the e-Transit Custom is, unsurprisingly, the design of the grille, which has a more conventional pattern and larger openings for cooling the combustion engine. Other than that, the front bumper looks nearly identical, with sculpted details where we would normally find side inlets and a wide lower intake in the center. Of course, there is no charging port in the regular Transit.
Another important change is the headlight graphics. The lower trims of the LCV will have halogen units with the full-width LED bar being replaced by a chrome strip. The higher-spec passenger versions (Tourneo Custom) will likely get LED graphics, although we don’t know if they will look as fancy as in the EV.
Similarly, the Transit Custom looks very similar to the e-Transit Custom at the back, with the exception of the taillights which get more basic graphics. The prototype was missing its rear bumper, exposing part of the rear suspension and the barely-visible exhaust pipe. In this configuration, the Transit Custom is fitted with double rear doors hinged on the sides, while a regular tailgate option will be available in the passenger-focused Tourneo Custom alongside proper side windows. We can also see that the vehicle doesn’t have a sliding door on the driver’s side, as is the case with most light commercial vehicles.
Just like its predecessor, the new Transit Custom will be available in a plethora of different bodystyle variants to cover every need. We expect to see different wheelbase lengths and roof heights, with the pictured prototype being one of the largest in terms of available cargo space. A similar configuration is expected to be offered for camping purposes, as a successor to the current Ford Transit Custom Nugget.
The Transit / Tourneo Custom will likely be offered with a range of petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The same will apply to the next generation of the VW Transporter which will be sharing its underpinnings with Ford’s medium-sized van – just like the Ford Ranger served as a base for the VW Amarok. It has been confirmed that production of the Ford Transit / Tourneo Custom will take place in Turkey, starting in 2023.
