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By Charl Bosch

Motoring Journalist


Ford says 2024 yes to all-new Transit Custom and Tourneo Custom

Blue Oval's Transporter/Caravellle and Quantum rival will officially enter the local market after almost two years of waiting.


With the twin of the Volkswagen Caddy, the Tourneo Connect, not expected to return to South Africa soon, Ford has instead announced the availability of the sized-up Tourneo Custom and its Transit Custom van equivalent for the local market from the first quarter of 2024 at its 100-year anniversary celebration in Pretoria on Wednesday (8 November).

Turkish delight?

Unveiled in the latter stages last year, the Tourneo and Transit will continue to be built at the Kocaeli plant in Turkey, but unlike the first generation made from 2012 to 2022, they are brand new and equipped with features and tech previously not available.

New Ford Transit Custom heading to South Africa in 2024
Transit Custom, pictured in Sport guise, will take aim at the Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes-Benz Vito and Hyundai Staria panel van when it goes on-sale. Image: Ford

Set to take renewed aim at the Mercedes-Benz Vito and V-Class, the Hyundai Staria, Opel Zafira Life, Toyota Quantum/Quantum VX and the Volkswagen T6.1 Transporter/Caravelle, exact specifications remain to be confirmed, though approved is Ford’s new 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the digital instrument cluster of the same size.

ALSO READ: Spruced up new Ford Tourneo Custom and Transit Custom revealed

While offered in Europe in no less than six trim levels, only three have been confirmed for the local market: Tourneo Custom, namely Trend, the new Titanium X and the equally novel Sport, until now reserved for the flagship Transit Custom.

Ford approves new Tourneo Custom for South Africa
While the basic silhouette from the original is unchanged, the styling is brand-new. Image: Ford

As before, the former will be available in standard and long wheelbase guises, with the same applying to the Transit Custom reports from the UK allege will have a payload of over two tonnes, along with a cargo capacity of just under 1 500 kg.

Ford approves new Tourneo Custom for South Africa
Interior sports a dual 13-inch display under a single piece of glass similar to Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX system. Image: Ford

Dual sliding side doors will be offered depending on the trim level, with those of the Tourneo Custom being electric, similar to the Caravelle, Quantum VX and the top-spec Staria Luxury.

Ford approves new Tourneo Custom for South Africa
Second-row will swivel while the third remains fixed in the Tourneo Custom. Image: Ford

Besides the doors, the Titanium X will also have a swivelling second-row, electric tailgate, Adaptive Cruise Control and potentially the model’s first 360-degree camera and 14-speaker B&O Play sound system.

Diesel only

Up front, Ford is still to finalise engine options, but did confirm the availability of the single-turbo 2.0-litre Panther engine from the Ranger revised to produce a South African market-specific 131 kW.

New Ford Transit Custom heading to South Africa in 2024
Two wheelbase options will be offered, but seemingly, only a single roof height choice. Image: Ford

In Europe, the same engine comes in four states of tune; 81 kW, 100 kW, 110 kW and 125 kW, though it remains to be seen which ones Ford South Africa opts for.

On the transmission side, the six-speed manual gearbox will be retained for the Transit Custom, while only a single option has so far been mentioned for the Tourneo Custom, a new eight-speed automatic.

New Ford Transit Custom heading to South Africa in 2024
Completely new interior appears anything but commercial vehicle. Image: Ford

As before, drive will go to the front wheels only, with the plug-in hybrid and electric versions sold on the Old Continent not heading for local soil anytime soon.

Price to be announced in 2024

At present, pricing kicks-off at R570 500 for the entry-level Transit Custom and ends at R843 900 for the short wheelbase Tourneo Custom fitted with the six-speed automatic gearbox.

Therefore, expect a considerable price premium to be applied once sales of the new derivatives start next year.

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