The all-new Ford Tourneo Custom is going electric for the first time, with the people-carrying version of the best-selling Transit Custom set to go on sale from mid-2023.
The E-Tourneo Custom comes with the same battery and motor technology as the Transit Custom, with a maximum range of 230 miles, fast charging and space for up to eight. Ford says it is targeting the new large MPV at private and company buyers alike, with a selection of different versions to cater for the different needs.
Space for nine, or eight if you go electric
The Tourneo Custom comes with seats for up to nine occupants, but only if you go for the diesel and plug-in hybrid versions – the electric model sacrifices one of the front-row seats and is an eight-seater. There are two lengths on offer, with standard and long wheelbase models both offering the full three rows of seating – you gain extra luggage space from the longer models.
The new model offers a flexible track-mounted seating system in the rear of the cabin, allowing the second and third rows of seats to be configured in a variety of ways. These tracks allow you slide the seats forward and backwards – the second row can be moved independently of one another, while the third row is a two/one seat split.
Ford has made the seats lighter than before, which means they can be lifted out that little bit easier. The seats in the second row come with integrated seat belts that means they can be spun around to create a conference style layout, with the passengers all facing one another.
For those needing to transport smaller passengers, the Ford has up to five Isofix points in the rear – they feature on all three seats in the middle row and the two outer seats in the third row.
The Tourneo Custom carries over several of the clever features that were first shown on the van version, including the tilting steering wheel that turns into a small table or a laptop/tablet holder. It also gets the steering-column-mounted gear-shifter on the automatic models, which frees up more space lower down in the cabin to make getting in and out easier. Ford has also sited the front passenger airbag in the roof, rather than the dash, which offers more storage space lower down.
It also gets the Digital Key system that allows you to access the vehicle using a key similar to a hotel key card, which is geared towards those who have more than one driver using the vehicle, or to those that need a waterproof key to keep on them while doing water sports or similar.
The doors can be opened in a hands-free manner, by kicking out at a sensor next to the front wheel.
Other Tourneo Custom-specific elements include an integrated side-step, tri-zone air conditioning, a 14-speaker B&O stereo system, wireless charging for devices and heated outer seats in the second row.
Electric power in a Tourneo for the first time
This is the first time that a Ford Tourneo of any size will come with an electric version, and the Custom will come with the same 74kWh battery and 160kW motor that features in the panel van equivalent.
Because of the extra weight of the components required for carrying passengers, the Tourneo’s overall range is six miles less than the Transit Custom’s, but at 230 miles is still comfortably further than the 143 miles of the likes of the Peugeot e-Traveller and Vauxhall Vivaro Electric Life and just better than the 213 miles of the Mercedes-Benz EQV.
The battery comes with a range of charging options, with an 11kW AC three-phase charger that gets from 0-100% in eight hours fitted as standard. It also comes with the ability to hook up to a 125kW DC fast charger, which can get the battery from 15-80% in just 41 minutes and adds 23 miles in only five minutes.
Like the Transit Custom, and the larger Transit, the Tourneo will come with Ford’s Pro Power Onboard system, which allows you to plug devices into sockets in the front cabin. These sockets deliver up to 2.3kW, so should be able to support bigger devices such as tools or camping equipment.
Multiple versions, including PHEV, diesel and AWD
Ford is continuing its wide-ranging approach to the Tourneo Custom range, with a selection of different powertrains. As well as a plug-in hybrid version there will also be three different diesel engines, with a choice of 136hp, 150hp and 170hp. There is also a choice between a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearboxes.
As well as the different engines, there also a choice of an all-wheel-drive version for the first time. This is offered on the two extremes of the diesel engine range and only in combination with the automatic gearbox.
Those who want the manual gearbox can add a mechanical limited-slip differential to the 150hp and 170hp diesels.
The plug-in hybrid model uses a 2.5-litre petrol engine and a motor and battery combo that is capable of an electric-only range of 31 miles.
The Tourneo also gets a redesigned chassis, with an independent rear suspension setup that is standard across the range.
What trims of Ford Tourneo Custom are available?
Although the full details of the different models have yet to be confirmed for the UK market, Ford has said that range will include Active, Sport and Titanium X versions, with very little fundamental change from the outgoing version.
The latter is set to be the most well-equipped Tourneo to date, with kit including 19-inch alloys, LED lighting and synthetic leather upholstery. Ford has also confirmed that all versions will be available with each of the different powertrains, so there will be loads of different configuration options to pick from.
There is plenty of safety kit offered on the Tourneo Custom for the first time, with adaptive cruise control with lane centring, reverse brake assist, park assist and a 360-degree camera all available.
What is the Ford Tourneo Custom pricing and what is its on-sale date?
The Tourneo Custom is being made alongside the Transit Custom in Turkey and will be available at a similar time to the van version, with first vehicles set to start heading to customers in mid-2023.
We don’t yet have details of pricing, but we will bring them to you as soon as we do.
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