Ford and VW partnership delivers new Tourneo Connect MPV

Ford has revealed the fruits of its widened commercial vehicles partnership with Volkswagen by unveiling its new Tourneo Connect MPV.

In June last year automotive manufacturing giants Ford and VW followed-up plans to jointly develop new Ranger and Amarok pick-ups with plans for the new Ford city van.

There will also be a one-tonne cargo van to replace the Transit Custom and Transporter, which will be engineered by Ford.

Based on the VW Caddy platform, the Tourneo Connect is created and built by VW and sits on its new MQB platform.

It is available in a choice of two lengths and three trim levels (Active, Titanium, and Sport), along with a choice of petrol or diesel engines.

Ford anticipates fuel consumption of up to 57.6mpg and CO2 emissions from 127g/km from an engine line-up featuring a 1.5‑litre EcoBoost petrol engine producing 114PS and 220Nm of torque and two EcoBlue diesels developing 122PS and 320Nm of torque, or 112PS and 280Nm of torque.

All-wheel drive is available on models fitted with the two-litre EcoBlue diesel engine and six‑speed manual gearbox.

Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe, said: “The all-new Tourneo Connect is the first of an exciting new generation of Tourneo vehicles from Ford.

“Its fresh new design, seven-seat versatility and new all-wheel drive technology plus its all-important connectivity features offer a winning combination for our customers.

“We’ve taken the qualities that customers value and have raised them to another level, creating a new Tourneo Connect that’s ready for any challenge – whether it’s work or play.”

An 8.25-inch screen comes as standard, and customers able to specify a 10-inch screen on all series if desired.

Customers can also specify an advanced digital cluster display in place of the traditional dials – a standard feature on Sport models.

Both the L1 short wheelbase and long‑wheelbase L2 Tourneo Connect offer seven-seat passenger accommodation, with a third row of seats that can be folded, tumbled or removed.

With the second and third row seating removed, Tourneo Connect offers up to 3.1m of load volume.

Ford said that its SUV-inspired Active series offers customers a blend of rugged style and premium details, with 17-inch alloys, a honeycomb grille, skid plates and additional body mouldings all included.

Sport features distinctive bonnet stripes, more dynamic lower front bumper, 17-inch dark alloy wheels, meanwhile, as Titanium wears satin chrome detailing, privacy glass and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Trend has high-gloss black grille surround and wheel trims.

Tourneo Connect offers 19 driver assistance technologies to make journeys more comfortable, less demanding and safer including: Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning; a Lane-Keeping System; Adaptive Cruise Control; Blind Spot monitoring; and Cross Traffic Alert.

A Towing Assist Pack includes new Pro Trailer Backup Assist to help prevent or mitigate the risk of “jack-knifing” when reversing with a trailer.

The Tourneo Connect will be available to order in early 2022, with pricing revealed closer to that date.