By Staff Reporter

Late last year we drove the Ford Tourneo Custom Bus and we bemoaned lack of an automatic option and the dated interior in the people mover. It’s as if Ford heard our cries as the Ford Tourneo Custom range has been expanded with the addition of two six-speed automatic and the interior has been refreshed.

Interior

The mid-level Trend and range-topping Limited series now feature a completely new interior. The quality improves with more soft-touch surfaces and detailing with chrome and gloss black finishes introduced. Ford says that the new instrument cluster, displays and control panels have been designed for enhanced ergonomics and ease of use.

On the Limited model, the new interior incorporates Ford’s SYNC3 with an integrated eight-inch touchscreen. SYNC3 provides full smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, including the option of using the phone’s navigation apps. On the Trend Automatic, a four-inch screen is supplied.

On both systems, a total of eight USB ports are located throughout the cabin for charging mobile devices. An integrated 230v power socket is available as an optional item to power various devices, such as laptop computers, while on the move.

That’s not all, a new steering wheel sourced from the latest passenger car designs is adopted.

Engines

The all-new automatic derivatives of the Tourneo Custom Bus are powered by the latest generation 2.0-litre Single Turbo diesel engine which is derived from the current Ford Ranger and Everest models. Two versions of this engine are available, with the unit in the mid-level Tourneo Custom Trend producing 96kW of power matched to 385Nm of torque. The top-spec Tourneo Custom Limited delivers 136kW allied to a substantial torque peak of 415Nm.

In both models, power is delivered to the front wheels via the six-speed automatic transmission that does duty in the current Ranger 2.2 and 3.2-litre models. Additionally, “Manual” mode with SelectShift gives the driver control over the gearshift points, which is particularly useful when towing.

The new automatic models are equipped as standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, while the existing manual derivatives retain 16-inch rims.

Pricing

The automatic models are priced as follows:

2.0 SiT Trend 6AT                                                     R700,200

2.0 SiT Limited 6AT                                                  R740,900

All models come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a four-year/120,000km comprehensive warranty, three-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and five-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A six-year/90,000km service plan is included.