Ford has revealed a facelifted version of their ultra-versatile people mover, the Tourneo, in Europe. Since this is basically a more luxurious folk ferry based on the Transit, this hints at an imminent update for the entire range, including the more workhorse-like cargo van.
Externally, there’s not all that many changes to visible on this new Tourneo . It’s pretty much headlined by a revised front end and a little else, with a new five-bar chrome grille, slimmer headlights, and new 17-inch alloys on the Titanium X variant. Under the skin, though, it has been re-engineered to be much more plush to sit and ride along in.
The trim materials have seen a thorough combing and new measures have been taken to ensure that passengers experience a much more refined ride free of outside disturbances. In fact, Ford has gone so far as to make available an optional rear air suspension setup.
Of course, the Tourneo’s flexible seating layout is carried over here, offering six individual seats with the ability to arrange the two rear rows in conference, or in two rows of three seats facing forward. On high series models, the six individual seats can each be folded flat, tumbled, stowed in a multiple locations or removed completely to maximise the luggage area. Eight or nine seat layouts are also configurable.
To reinforce the more upscale interior feel, Ford has updated it with an all-new instrument panel based on the design cues established by the all-new Fiesta, with an 8.0-inch SYNC3 infotainment panel with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support acting as the centrepiece with satellite navigation and rear view camera. Other niceties include additional USB ports (6 total) throughout the cabin and a 10-speaker audio system.
Under the bonnet lives Ford’s new EcoBlue line of turbodiesel engines that churn out between 77kW to 127kW, mated to a new six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. Ford also makes available a range of driver assistance features such as Blind Spot Monitoring with Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, as well as Autonomous Emergency Braking in the form of Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection.
Ford Australia does not carry the Tourneo in the local line-up, but it’s nearly certain that many (if not most) of the changes seen here will permeate to the more utilitarian Transit, such as the revised front fascia, new selection of engines, and some of the active safety features.
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