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Ford unleashes latest Transit SportVan on Britain

Noah Joseph — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Performance, Work, Ford, UK

Ford has been in the UK for a full century now, but for fans of its workhorse Transit van, the past four years have been the most exciting. That's because, since 2007, the Blue Oval automaker has released successive special edition SportVans that give the big wagon an added dose of attitude.

Each version has been distinguished by its color combination, and all have sold out: blue with white stripes (500 examples), grey with silver stripes (80), black with silver (500), white with blue (80), dark blue with silver (150) and, most recently, red with white stripes. Now Ford has released the latest edition in Moondust Silver with graphite stripes.

Aside from the paint scheme, the Transit SportVan also gets graphite alloys to match the stripes, dual exhaust and an aero kit. Based on the short-wheelbase 260 model, the SportVan packs a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel with 140 metric horsepower channeled to the front wheels through a six-speed manual. The cabin also packs all the bells and whistles, but only 180 examples will be offered, and you can bet they'll all sell out faster than a Transit can haul its cargo through London's busy streets. Details in the press release after the jump.

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Ford celebrates the Transit in UK with special edition SportVan. One, please.

Noah Joseph — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Performance, Ford, UK

Ford Transit SportVan - Click above for high-res image gallery

Push comes to shove, the Brits know modern delivery vans better than we do. (Hard to admit, we know.) What we use high-cube trucks, pickups and vans of varying sizes for, they do it all in panel vans. They drive the wheels off 'em, and the Ford Transit (not to be confused with its kid brother, the Transit Connect) is the king of 'em all. In fact, it has for the past 45 years been the best-selling van in the UK. And to celebrate, Ford UK is launching the special edition you see here.

This Ford Transit SportVan is based on the short-wheelbase 260 model and comes equipped with a 140-horsepower turbo-diesel, 18-inch graphite-finish alloys, twin exhaust pipes and a variety of other features, all wrapped up in red with white racing stripes. Only 100 examples will be made, and given the van's popularity on the Isles, we're sure they'll all sell out in a flash. In fact we know they will, since every previous SportVan edition has, including editions in blue with white stripes, grey with silver, black with silver, white with blue and blue with silver stripes.

Unfortunately this is another sport model we'll have to admire from the opposite shore, but driving back home in an SVT Raptor ought to help numb the pain. You know the drill: details in the press release after the jump, photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Transit SportVan

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford celebrates the Transit in UK with special edition SportVan. One, please.

Ford celebrates the Transit in UK with special edition SportVan. One, please. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Delivery trucks are cool: Ford Transit SportVan

Alex Nunez — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:23:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Work, Ford

Click image for photo gallery

The annual Commercial Vehicle Show in Blighty is one of our favorite things, specifically because our inner children never stopped liking big trucks , and the manufacturers actually unveil cool stuff at the show. Exhibit A comes from Ford, which pulled the wraps off the limited-edition Transit SportVan. Powered by a 130-horse diesel, the bespoilered SportVan is targeted at the small business owner who wants to deliver his or her goods in style, hence the Performance Blue paint, Le Mans stripes, and 18" alloys. Inside, it's driver rolls along in leather seats, with creature comforts like additional leather appointments, a CD changer, A/C, rain-sensing wipers, and more all included in the deal. Only 500 will be built. Full details from Ford come after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: Ford Transit SportVan

Continue reading Delivery trucks are cool: Ford Transit SportVan

Delivery trucks are cool: Ford Transit SportVan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW to start building sportvans

Dan Roth — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Minivan/Van, BMW

Could this portend the impending doom of the SUV as family car? BMW will be adding sportvans to their lineup beginning with the F5 in 2009. The basis for the F5 will be provided by the X5. Following on the heels of the F5 will be a van based on the 3-series called, quite naturally, the F3. Underneath the five-door five-placers will likely be found several power options, as well as available all-wheel drive with rear-wheel drive standard. The rhetoric is that large diameter wheels will be avoided, as they mainly detract from ride quality, add unsprung weight, and don't help handling as much as you'd think. The picture seems to run contrary to that statement, as the wheels fill the openings, but perhaps the graphic artist just got a little crazy.

[Source: Motor Trend via Topspeed]

Continue reading BMW to start building sportvans

BMW to start building sportvans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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