Ford UK releases updated Transit SportVan
August 5, 2009 by Matt Brogan
The slow white van has just been given a new lease on life with Ford UK today announcing its updated Transit SportVan – available in white.
The limited edition Transit SportVan has been created for customers who want a little more personality from their van and features Le Mans style bonnet stripes, twin exhausts, 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear spoilers, side skirts and flared wheel arches.
Transit SportVan is based on the popular 260, short wheelbase Transit with front wheel drive and a 2.2-litre TDCi diesel engine mated to a six-speed transmission.
“The first Performance Blue limited edition Transit SportVan has been an enormous success, with more than 1,000 sold in 18 months,” said Ford of Britain’s commercial vehicles director, Steve Kimber. “Transit SportVan is all about style and individuality, and hits a sweet spot with many of our customers.”
Inside the Transit SportVan includes velour trim, air conditioning, six CD tuner with steering wheel mounted remote controls, cruise control, power windows and mirrors, leather steering wheel, tinted windows, leather gershift knob and perimetre alarm.
Standard equipment also includes power door locks, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, front fog lights and load area protection kit. Leather seats and colour satellite navigation are optional.
Important safety features are standard including ABS, ESP and driver and passenger airbags.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the Transit SportVan is also available in blue (with stripes), black (with silver stipes) and grey (with silver stripes).
There are no plans for such a model in Australia at this time.
Print it: 
Are they really serious? Making a oftenly used courier vehicle designed for hauling loads and also as a people mover look sporty by adding twin stripes normally reserved for a sporty type car. Personally it does not to me look right. Its bad enough having seen a Hyundai Excel around my area sporting these stripes as a aftermarket thought but even that looks more suited to them than a Ford Transit. I would be embarrased to drive around in one of these things with a sports kit on them as they are as slippery as a brick aerodymanic wise and dont really come across as a sporty vehicle. The other features are ok but putting a sports kit on? No thanks.
The stripes are a bit much, but the rest of the concept is not much different to what you would find here if you went to any motorbike race (dirt or road) and had a look in the carpark… heaps of Hiaces, Transporters and Vitos loaded up with big wheels, tint, lowered suspension ect. Ford UK is 20 odd years behind the Japanese domestic market where factory option bodykits have been available for vans since the 80’s.
The most important thing to know about this van is that yes, it is a joke. It’s on the market to add character, a sense of humour to a job that has little dignity as it is. You’re meant to laugh, not insult Ford and ask if they’re serious. Of course they’re not serious! Did you see the racing stripes?
why dont Ford UK do a proper job and just produce a limited run of cosworth supervan4s and be done with it.
i recently drove a similar van (Renault Trafic, the one with the rounded roof) and was surprised how dynamically capable it was. Very little bodyroll, supple ride, good steering feel, excellent brakes, stable at speed. And, a fun driving position looking above the trafic.
i think some of the vans have come a long way from the buzz boxes they used to be.
Ditch the stripes, put some seats in the back and put it in our local dealerships. It would probably sell well here given there is not a lot of options in this category, particularly from Ford. Territory a people mover? Give me a break!
ha, jusy a copy of the Ford Australia Cobra Transit years ago. hehhhee
I love it! And if Ford Australia’s sense of humour is similarly alive and well, let’s see them bid the Falcon wagon adieu with a limited release Squire Wagon, complete with red-wall tyres and wood panelling down the sides. Yum.
Its not funny at all guys.
In the UK vans are like the Falcon and Commie utes we have here. Utes over there are nearly non-existent.
Ford isnt foolish either because they have just given the public what they wanted, and they are picking up a nice amount of niche sales. Might be a good margin on them too since its the private buyer these things would appeal to
Would be a real interesting test of the aussie market if they brought it here.
There are plenty of privately lowered and sported up vans already on our roads serving particularly the motorcross guys.
Ford should bring 100 or so down under and sponsor the motorcross to get the concept out there.
Would be a really interesting test case to watch
Have any of you guys seen the small transit van in the UK, it looks great and would sell really well here to tradies that are sick of getting their stuff nicked or soaked.
i cant believe the stupid and damning comments on the transit sport van,grrr!! ,for those of us who want to make a statement with the van we drive it looks fantastic and i for one am in the market to buy one asap!!, its about time other companies followed suit and brought out a striking sport van to compete with ford, i myself love my fast sporty cars so why the hell not have a custom van to do my joinery business in!!, im looking forward to making a few heads turn when i turn up to fit a new kitchen!!!