Ford Tourneo enters the luxury class

By Colin Windell 

Providing competition in the luxury end of the commercial people-mover market, the new Ford Tourneo Custom gains a completely revised and upgraded interior package.

Luxury travel from Ford’s new commercial tourer

Targeting executive shuttle services, high-end travel companies and private users, the upgraded Ford Tourneo Custom is distinguished by its bold new front-end design with five-bar chrome grille.

The Tourneo people mover has been comprehensively re-engineered to provide superior levels of refinement and sophistication, including high-quality trim materials, along with improved comfort and noise levels.

"With the new Tourneo Custom, every passenger can enjoy the best seat in the house," says Doreen Mashinini, General Manager, Marketing at FMCSA. "This versatile people mover has been refreshed with attractive new exterior styling and an interior that combines the comfort and quality of a luxury car with outstanding space and practicality."

New Tourneo Custom has a bold new front-end appearance that shares the same design DNA as Ford's latest passenger cars, with a high-mounted trapezoidal grille and dynamic, slim headlamps that flow neatly into the vehicle's muscular shoulder line.

All models feature distinctive new signature daytime running lights along with automatic headlight activation, manual headlamp levelling and front fog lamps.

Throughout the vehicle, the interior trim has been completely revised – from the headliner and seats to the side panels and carpets – with a focus on outstanding craftsmanship and appearance.

Travelling comfort is enhanced by new seat designs featuring revised foam padding and geometry for optimised support, plus improved refinement resulting from a significantly upgraded sound reduction package in the rear cabin. Rear seat passengers will also appreciate the more effective air-conditioning system offering faster cooling or heating.

The new Tourneo Custom offers comfortable seating for six passengers at the rear in two rows of three seats facing forward.

For added convenience, the seats can be folded flat, tumbled, stowed in multiple positions or removed completely, enabling customers to create limousine-like space, maximise the luggage area or meet their own special business or lifestyle requirements.

Standard items across the range include Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Hill Launch Assist (HLA), Load Adaptive Control (LAC), Roll-Over Mitigation (ROM) and Trailer Sway Control (TSC) which is activated with the fitment of an approved tow bar at a Ford dealer.

A high level of occupant protection is provided by means of the standard front, side and curtain air bags, as well as ISOFIX child seat mounting points on the second row seats.

All models are equipped with a six-speaker audio system incorporating Bluetooth, USB and Aux connectivity and steering wheel-mounted controls.

The Tourneo Custom is powered by Ford's 2,2-litre four-cylinder Duratorq TDCi turbo-diesel engine  mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Two long-wheelbase models are available at launch, starting off with the entry-level Ambiente model. It uses the 74 kW version of this engine which delivers 310 Nm of torque from as low as 1 300 r/min. In the Trend, power is rated at 92 kW linked to a maximum torque output of 350 Nm.

The Tourneo Custom is rated to carry a gross payload of 915 kg and can tow a 750 kg unbraked trailer, or up to 1 400 kg in the case of a braked trailer.

 

Ford Tourneo Custom - Recommended Retail Prices:

2.2 TDCi LWB Ambiente 74kW 6MT                          R546 000

2.2 TDCi LWB Trend 92kW 6MT                                  R567 300

 

All models come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a 4-year/120 000 km comprehensive warranty, 3-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A 6-year/90 000 km service plan is included, with 15 000 km service intervals.