The Ford E-Transit Custom Sport: Finally Bringing Closure to a Nine-Year-Old Task
About three careers and as many decades ago I worked as a delivery driver, a job centered around a van. More specifically, I made same-day deliveries around London, transporting items too large for a motorbike courier. This was a simple time, with the independence of the open road and my only companions the local radio and the Master Atlas of Greater London. It was a suitable job for a young, directionless, and unqualified person, but a job nonetheless.
Over the years, I’ve moved on to be a professional designer and writer. Last spring, I drove what I considered the perfect model, the classic Transit. Later in the year, I had the task of clearing out my mother’s house which required the largest van available. I eventually got a long-wheelbase, high-roof model and managed to get the job done. But, steering that slab-sided box on the motorway was like wrestling an octopus for five hours. Plus, the fuel economy was terrible.
A Model and a Nine-Year Wait
There was another, much more personal task that for nine years had been on my to-do list: retrieving a model I created during my Masters degree at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London. Upon graduating, I had intended to collect it immediately, but life intervened, and I moved back to the Midlands. Nine years flew by.
Since then, the vehicle design course at the RCA has become “Intelligent Mobility” and moved to a new building in Battersea. I knew my model was still there because it appeared in videos promoting the course. Recently, I bumped into one of my old RCA lecturers, which spurred me into action.
The Right Tool for the Job
For this mission, there was only one practical option: a Ford E-Transit Custom Sport. This is the sporty, all-electric variant of the popular Transit Custom, a battery-powered, rear-wheel-drive version not available in America.
The E-Transit Custom Sport is a pure EV version of the Transit Custom, a battery-powered rear-wheel-drive model of a normally front-wheel-drive van. In Europe, the Transit range includes:
- Transit Courier: Fiesta-based
- Transit Connect: Global C platform
- Transit Custom: The latest version, in production since 1965
- Transit: The large rear-wheel-drive model available in Europe and the US
The E-Transit Custom Sport offers 214bhp, coupled with 306 lbs. ft. of torque, which is a bit more than the standard model.
To match the “Sport” designation, it features racing stripes and a small spoiler. Special black alloy wheels and a hint of a body kit also mark this model. This specific test vehicle also includes a Bang & Olufsen sound system, the Navigation Plus Pack with 360o cameras, a rear liftgate, and Pro Power outlets. All of this adds up to a hefty price tag.
One feature that would have improved the driving experience, especially for a vehicle with a rear view mirror that is a camera, would have been a camera-powered Digital Rear View Mirror; But this was an extra option. Considering that the Transit is a commercial vehicle, the final price, includes a 20% VAT (sales tax).
For comparison, a standard ‘Trend’ trim model with the lower-powered motor is about 52,000 pounds ($66,000), including VAT. The E-Transit needs to prove it’s worth.
Practicality and Performance
The Transit has a gross payload of 2260lbs (1025kg) with a loadspace measuring 102.5” (2602mm) long and 69” (1775mm) wide, with 54.8” (1392mm) between the arches. Towing is rated at over 5,000lbs (2300kg). It has a full-height metal bulkhead, which not only offers security but also prevents cargo from becoming a safety hazard. It’s easy to remove this, but the upgraded sound system requires it.
Noise, or rather, the absence of it, is a key feature of the EV. A commercial van with all that metal behind you makes for an echo chamber, but at only the faintest hint of a cordless drill, the E-Transit is a pleasure to drive. The electric van proved a perfect tool for navigating London. One-pedal driving is available, though the level of regeneration is not adjustable. Visibility is excellent, aided by large mirrors.
The E-Transit is equipped with a 64kWh pack under the floor, with a stated range of 211 miles. My initial plan was to drive the route to the RCA Battersea Campus and back on a single charge, which is approximately 206 miles. However, charging the E-Transit to 100% takes significantly longer than charging to 80%. I got to 78% in a reasonable time, but another forty minutes was required to reach a full charge. The indicated range was 186 miles, so a return journey on one charge was impossible.
Efficiency and Driving Experience
At a steady 55-58 mph, the E-Transit achieved an average of 3.2 KWh efficiency. The lane-keeping assist system was a bit intrusive but adjustable. Otherwise, the E-Transit is a comfortable road companion. The steering is excellent, and the batteries under the load area help give a planted feeling.
The Jeep Model
Included with the E-Transit was the model I had created for my master’s degree. The inspiration for the model came from the front graphic that resembled a skull. My design was of an autonomous Jeep designed for off-road use. The open space in the back with gullwing doors that turned into seating made this model something entirely unique.
What I set out to do nine years ago was finally achieved with the E-Transit Custom Sport.
Ford has listened to customer feedback and clearly focused on customer satisfaction when designing and building this newest E-Transit. And EV commercial vehicles are becoming increasingly important as cities worldwide begin to implement clean air zones. The E-Transit combines the traditional Transit’s attributes and updates it with current technology.
