The Ford Transit Tourneo concept 'people mover' has been unveiled at the Geneva motor show.
Ford says it showcases "a dramatic new look, and is previewing the introduction of an all-new family of one-tonne Ford Transit people movers and commercial vehicles for Europe and Asia."
See the official Ford Transit Tourneo concept picture
Stephen Odell, Ford’s European chief, said: "The Tourneo Custom’s car-like qualities will be appreciated by a broad range of business and leisure customers." These include an "all-new interior design with driver-focused cockpit, and a luxurious, fully trimmed cabin which has the ambience and high-quality materials of a modern multi-seat saloon car."
The Concept also showcases a number of features new to Ford in this sector, including multi-adjustable and removable rear seating, a SYNC voice-activated, in-car connectivity system, a rear-view camera and lane departure and driver alert.
This concept is powered by a 153bhp version of Ford’s 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine.
The front-drive Tourneo Custom Concept is based on a new Ford global platform which the company says has been engineered to "deliver car-like dynamics, including agile, responsive handling, enhanced ride comfort and reduced noise-levels."
"We wanted to give the driver, and the rear seat passengers, an interior which has the same standards of design and quality they would experience in a modern multi-seat saloon car, but with ample space for people and luggage," said Paul Campbell, chief designer at Ford of Europe.
Ford says this Tourneo has a "stylish, sculpted instrument panel is orientated around the driver" which is less of a commercial design and more closely related to the interiors of Ford’s road cars.
The rear seats themselves are of "a completely new design, which can be easily folded into multiple configurations, or removed completely."
The new Transit panel van range - which is based on the same platform - will be revealed in April, and are expected to have a different nose design to the Tourneo.
This new range will be powered by upgraded versions of the 2011 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine and have Auto-Stop-Start technology fitted as standard. Three power ratings will be available: 99bhp, 124bhp and 153bhp. All of these units are hooked up to a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive.
The new Transit model range will also include two wheelbases (SWB and LWB). The Tourneo and Transit panel vans will be built in Turkey, while the models built with a bare rear chassis will be made at Southampton.
