Sporty Transit earns its racing stripes

Ford Transit SportVan

24 April 2007

by Stuart Milne

Once the preserve of tradesmen and delivery drivers, the Ford Transit has undergone the sportiest transformation in its 42 year history.

The Transit SportVan shuns the traditional white paint, and comes with a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, twin exhaust pipes and a pair of bold white bonnet stripes.

Low profile tyres, front and rear spoilers, side skirts and flared wheel arches complete the look.

Inside, leather seats, air-conditioning, a CD-player with steering column-mounted controls, cruise control, electric windows, electric and heated mirrors, leather steering wheel, tinted glass and leather gear knob all come as standard.

Only available in Ford's Performance Blue � the trademark colour for its sporty models � Ford will offer 500 of the special editions when they go on sale in June, priced at £18,750.

The Transit SportVan � and a Transit Connect SportVan concept � were unveiled at the Commercial Vehicle Show today by Sabine Schmitz.

Schmitz is one of the official 'taxi' drivers at the 14-mile Nürburgring circuit in Germany and reached fame when she beat Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson in a lap around the 'ring' in a Ford Transit. Clarkson was driving a Jaguar.

Ford has a history of sporty Transits, although none were offered for sale. Several incarnations of the 'Supervan' featured Formula 1 engines and chassis under a Transit body, while a hot version of the smaller Transit Connect has running gear from the Focus RS hot hatch.