The new Ford Transit was crowned as the 2007 International Van of the Year back in September, which set Ford of Europe's team into motion to create two special one-offs to celebrate the honor. The first is the Transit XXL, a bespoke limousine created by joining two short-wheelbase Transit Tourneo models. Despite being over 24 feet long, the Transit XXL seats only seven people, but just imagine the kind of leg room each passenger enjoys. Entry into the vehicle can be accomplished through one of four full-size sliding doors, and the XXL was made a right-hand drive model, not just because it was developed in Europe, but also because livery drivers will find themselves on the right side of the vehicle when pulling up curbside to drop off passengers.
The second vehicle is an updated version of the Transit Connect X-PRESS, a high performance version of the Transit that was originally developed in 2004. The Ford of Europe team has updated the X-PRESS to reflect the van's redesign, though the vehicle still retains the running gear from the 2004 Ford Focus RS, which includes a 212-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, five-speed stick and limited-slip differential. The X-PRESS can reach 60 mph in less than seven seconds and top out at 130 mph, which is not too bad for a commercial van.
Dunton, England – 3 January 2007. Ford of Europe's Commercial Vehicle development team, based at the company's Dunton Technical Centre in the UK, is celebrating the Ford Transit's status as International Van of the Year 2007, by creating an unusual one-off special – the Transit XXL.
Transit XXL literally stretches the Transit Tourneo passenger vehicle to new lengths, and could well be the longest Ford Transit in the world!
Designed and built by the Transit team at Dunton as a special project, Transit XXL uses 'off the shelf' Ford Transit components throughout. It is based on two short wheel base Transit Tourneo models which have been meticulously joined together to deliver a bespoke limousine that carries the driver plus seven passengers in full 'first class' comfort.
Every passenger benefits from a leather-trimmed, seven-way fully adjustable Transit 'Captain's Seat' complete with heating, lumbar adjustment and armrest. As you would expect, legroom and shoulder room are extensive!
This one-off vehicle has been designed to further demonstrate the Ford Transit's flexibility and capabilities. It measures 7.4 metres in length and has a wheelbase of 5.9 metres. This compares to the standard Tourneo length of almost 4.9 metres and wheelbase of 2.9 metres.
Transit XXL also features four full sliding doors – two on each side – while the entire vehicle benefits from privacy glass allowing occupants to be transported in appropriate anonymity. The four opening side doors of the Transit XXL are complemented by the fact that it's a right hand drive van. When used in left hand drive countries, the Transit XXL driver can stop at the kerbside and be ready quickly to help passengers get in to or out of the vehicle – something that drivers of long limousine vehicles understand and appreciate.
The interior also features a fully fitted carpet made from the standard Tourneo item, and a floor to roof carpeted bulkhead behind the rearmost pair of seats which creates a separate luggage compartment accessible only through the tailgate-style rear door.
Passenger comfort is maximised through the use of front and rear air conditioning, with the rear being controlled via the passenger compartment making this literally the coolest Transit to travel in.
The team isn't finished yet, and has plans to install a full in-vehicle entertainment system, including DVD player and games consoles, with individual monitors.
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Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
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