Cork, July 22, 2008 – All-wheel-drive (AWD) is now available on Ireland’s best-selling commercial vehicle, with the arrival of the Ford Transit AWD.

 

This new AWD Transit is specifically targeted at customers who frequently face low friction surfaces, adding more flexibility and reliability to their transportation needs.

 

The Ford Transit range showcases exactly what versatility for commercial vehicles is all about – a range of clean and efficient engines, a choice of front or rear wheel drive, dozens of body configurations, a heavy duty front axle option, and passenger car comfort.

 

The Transit's AWD system is available with the 2.4-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine with 103 kW (140 PS) and a six-speed manual transmission.

 

The system is purely mechanical and self-activated, which means the driver is not distracted by having to engage the system and can therefore fully concentrate on driving. Furthermore, the system dramatically increases traction capabilities and positively affects the vehicle's road performance as a safety plus.

 

"The Transit AWD gives the driver a lot of extra confidence when driving over slippery road surfaces", says Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland. "It answers the needs of a key group of Ford’s commercial vehicle customers."

 

The Ford Transit AWD will be offered with rear wheel drive, single rear wheel vehicles across a broad range of cab-styles including single and double chassis cab, M2 Bus, Kombi and Kombi Van, and the standard Transit van range including double cab in van. Low, medium or high roof derivatives will be available and short, medium or long wheel base.

 

Key customers for the new model are those frequently encountering low friction surfaces and bad weather conditions. Transit AWD has outstanding off road capability but does not include raised ground clearance, therefore retaining standard load heights. As such, on the Continent, the Transit AWD is an ideal shuttle vehicle for ski resorts and hotels in mountainous areas where drivers encounter snow and icy conditions which lead to reduced grip.

 

In Ireland, the new Transit AWD is perfectly suited for authorities like the emergency services, forest wardens, rescue services and fire brigades, providing the reassurance and confidence to handle situations which are beyond the capabilities of a standard vehicle. 

 

Utility companies will also benefit from the capabilities of the Transit AWD, as they will be surefooted performers for field and track work (for example crossing a muddy field track to fix a pylon) without the need to send two vehicles in case the first becomes stuck on a slippery surface. Ultimately this saves time and means that utility resources can be more effectively deployed.

 

"The Transit is by far Ireland’s favourite van and we are delighted to be able to offer this unique AWD model to our Irish Transit customers," commented Eddie Murphy, Managing Director of Ford Ireland. "Transit AWD demonstrates how committed Ford is to keeping the Transit range at the forefront of the medium commercial vehicle market in Europe, as well as responding to specific customer needs in this highly competitive marketplace."