THE BABY of the Ford Transit line, the Courier, is back and it’s packed with technology.
As you can see from the above images it’s a good looking machine, especially as Ford chose Barcelona for the launch.
Thus, the new Courier looked radiant with its red paint in the January sun, a welcome replacement for stormy, cloudy Ireland.
But there’s a lot more to the new Courier than just its aesthetics, as it’s been completely redesigned around a larger, more flexible shipping area that provides 25 percent more shipping area than the outgoing model.
The cargo length has been increased by 181mm to 1,802mm, while Ford has reworked the rear suspension and angled the shocks to increase the load width between the wheel arches to 1,220mm.
This means the little Courier can swallow two Euro pallets.
Total shipping volume is 2. 9 m3, 25% more than the outgoing model.
And Ford has installed a new shipping bulkhead that allows it to intelligently transport parts over 2,600mm long, so you can smoothly introduce a giant object like a ladder.
There’s even a high payload edition that comes with double rate springs allowing it to withstand up to 854kg, while the maximum towing weight for all Courier variants is 1100kg.
All panel vans feature 180-degree opening rear cargo doors and six floor tie-down points as standard.
There’s LED lighting at the rear, rubber or wood floors, and half-height garage rails to make more effective use of shipping space.
If you need to transport workers and their gear to site as well as carry cargo then the Courier has you covered with the double-cab-in-van.
And if you thought the load-through bulkhead was clever, check out what the double-cab-in-vans rear seat can do.
It’s a second row of 3 60/40 split seats that can be folded and tilted, so that when the rear seats are in use, they can be folded down and there’s room in the shipping domain for a Euro pallet.
You might think then that the Courier could also function as a family car: drop the kids off in the morning, lift the back seat to use it as a van during the day, and then, on weekends, ride a mountain bike. back and go exploring.
Well, Ford got ahead of the curve by creating an edition called the Tourneo Courier.
It’s more family-friendly and car-like, although both models are actually in the Ford Puma.
Cost: From €18,573Engine: 1.5-litre EcoBlue dieselPower: 100bhpTorque: 250NmEconomy: 45mpgEmissions: 137g/kmDrivetrain: Front-wheel driveGearbox: 6-speed manualEuro NCAP: PlatinumRivals: Renault Kangoo, VW Caddy, Mercedes Citan
This means that all variants of the Courier are fun to drive, like all Ford models, and you can choose from 3 engine options: petrol, diesel and all-electric.
The petrol range consists of Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, offered in 100bhp or 125bhp variants with both available with a six-speed manual or a new seven-speed dual clutch gearbox.
The 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel produces 100bhp and 250Nm of torque and is good for 45mpg.
It’s available in Courier van and double cab van styles and comes with a six-speed manual gearbox, and it’s the style I tested in Barcelona.
It runs very well and the extra torque provided by a diesel engine will allow you to haul and tow loads.
And while the Couriers were left-hand drive, which is always a bit confusing, the drive is so smart that it would be easy to be in a van.
As mentioned, the Courier is packed with a host of technologies, with a “digiboard” dashboard containing a virtual group and an eight-inch touchscreen featuring Ford’s newest SYNC connectivity formula and wireless smartphone compatibility.
In-car connectivity is via a built-in modem that connects you to the Ford Pro.
And the mobile app allows consumers to remotely lock and unlock their pickup truck, check its location, track their fuel expenses, and get fitness alerts related to fluid levels, tire pressure, oil life, and brake condition.
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