2023
Automatic
Tax: n/a
Mileage: 150
Diesel
2024
Manual
Mileage: 366
Mileage: 387
Mileage: 398
Mileage: 401
Mileage: 478
Mileage: 512
Mileage: 524
Mileage: 540
Mileage: 548
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For Ford, there haven't been too many downsides to their 'Project Cyclone' agreement with Volkswagen which has allowed the Blue Oval brand to share the development costs of its two most recent LCVs (the Ranger and the Transit Custom). Not as ideal has been the basing of the third generation Transit Connect on the Volkswagen Caddy, a van never designed to be offered as an EV. Which means the Connect is the only member of Ford's four-strong battery-powered LCV line-up that can't be had in full-electric form. Still in compensation, there's the option of the PHEV version we look at here, which at launch in 2024 was the compact van sector's very first Plug-in Hybrid. In the segment, only this model's Volkswagen Caddy clone can also be had with this technology. PHEV tech was pioneered in vans by Ford back in 2019 with the a rare variant of the larger Transit Custom, but few operators chose it and no rivals appeared. How will this smaller Plug-in Hybrid Transit model fare?
It's difficult for us to understand why more manufacturers haven't adopted Plug-in Hybrid tech for vans - particularly smaller urban-based ones. After all, virtually every London taxi you see these days is a PHEV. And it's a much more flexible and slightly more affordable alternative than a full-EV drivetrain. Ford had better hope that enviro-minded business operators quickly grasp this logic because otherwise this third generation Transit Connect is going to struggle, without the full-EV variant that most of its rivals offer. The replacement model that will put this right is some way away. But then, so is full van market acceptance of electric power. Here, in this PHEV model, is for the time being arguably a better way forward.
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