Ford has this week introduced a new variant to its growing lineup of Transit vans. The company now offers small compact vans with the Courier and Connect and then larger models with the Custom and the flagship Transit too. However, Ford has now launched an additional variant, with the new Transit City.

Because this new model will be electric only, Ford hasn't used the E-Transit branding, of which it does apply to all of its other vans, apart from the Connect. The Transit City is around the same size as the Custom, but will be priced in-between the E-Transit Courier and Custom. This could mean a target price of £33,000 ex VAT, but exact pricing remains to be seen.

The Transit City is actually a result of a partnership between Jianling (JMC) and Ford and this new van is a rebadged JMC Touring, with the front end styling being changed and Ford fitting a slightly larger battery. It is also made in the JMC factory in Nanchang - but this has meant though, that Ford can produce them much more affordably than the E-Transit Custom, for example.

The Transit City uses an 56kWh LFP battery with a range quoted by Ford to be 160 miles. This range is less than the electric Custom, but Ford states that from its own data, the average mileage covered by 90% of Ford electric vans is 68 miles. LFP batteries are also much more capable of being regularly rapid charged than NMC.

Charging speed is rated at 87kW DC and 10-80% will take 33 minutes. Ford has also fitted 11kW AC for depot and overnight charging.

Unlike the Transit Custom, the Transit City will come in a wide variety of body styles, ranging from L1H1, L2H2 and chassis cab. Up until now, customers would need for the larger full size Transit for most of these needs.

Payload for the L1H1 is rated at 1,085kg and up to 1,275kg for the L2H2 version.

The interior is pretty stripped back, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Thankfully, there seems to be some physical buttons and dials for the climate control, which makes life a lot easier for busy work days.

However, despite being a 'stripped back model', Ford hasn't cut corners on the included kit that comes as standard, with a rear-view camera, automatic emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. Like Ford's other vans, it'll also integrate with Ford Pro Telematics to give fleet operators access to location, speed and charge level.

Ford will open up orders for the Transit City soon, with first deliveries to start before the end of 2026.

Source: Ford