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Ford Transit 12-seat Bus Delivers on Price (563)

• The travel industry, government departments, schools and others who regularly transport groups will now have another option with Ford’s new Transit 12-seat bus that offers a 2-3-4 configuration allowing flexibility and significant cargo space.
• On sale now, the Transit 12-seat bus is powered by a 2.2-litre Duratorq turbo-diesel engine, which develops up to 114 kW of power and 385 Nm of torque.
• Fuel efficiency prioritised for these road warriors with ECOnetic smart technology that includes auto/stop start technology, smart regenerative charging, economy gear shift indicator and battery management system.
• Transit 12-seat bus was tuned for passenger comfort with confidence-building driving dynamics more usually associated with a small car for both urban and highway settings.

Ford is expanding its Transit range with the rear-wheel drive Transit 12-seat bus to attract businesses, community organisations and government departments who transport groups of people and are looking for more capability, comfort and efficiency from a people mover.

With a Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP*) of $57,680, the Transit 12-seat bus is based on the mid-roof van with an uprated gross vehicle mass from 3,550 GVM to 4,100 GVM and nine-seats added in a 2-3-4 configuration behind the 3 standard seats in front.

This layout provides significant cargo area behind the fourth row of seats to accommodate gear from passengers. Importantly for owners and drivers, the Transit 12-seat bus can be operated by holders of a regular full Australian driver’s licence.

“Ford has a Transit model to suit many applications and the arrival of the Transit 12-seat bus further expands the opportunities in this segment,” according to Ford Australia President and CEO, Graeme Whickman. “The Transit 12-seat bus presents a great option for customers who require an economical, well-equipped and comfortable bus who make a living moving groups on trips big and small.”

Transit 12-seat bus provides Ford Australia with a strong opportunity to attract discerning customers such as schools, sporting clubs, community groups, members of the transport and travel industry, local councils, rental companies, and government departments who would make good use of its versatile and flexible seating and cargo solutions as well as its advanced technologies.

The arrival of the Transit 12-seat bus brings the model choices in the Transit range to six – which includes the 350L LWB Van, 350E Jumbo Van, 470E Jumbo Van, 470E Single Cab Chassis and 470E Double Cab Chassis.

All are powered by Ford’s proven 2.2-litre Duratorq turbo-diesel engine, which develops up to 114 kW of power and 385 Nm of torque. Like its Transit peers, the Transit 12-seat bus’ TDCi engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Since the buses are driven frequently, the Transit 12-seat bus also helps ease the fuel bill with advanced Ford ECOnetic fuel-saving technologies, which includes auto/stop start, smart regenerative charging, economy gear shift indicator, and battery management system to improve battery durability.

Like the van range, the bus will be available in both Frozen White and Moondust Silver. Key optional features that will be available also include the City Pack and Single Passenger Seat instead of the standard dual front passenger seat configuration.

Comfort and advanced technologies

The Transit 12-seat bus has a cabin that is both functional and spacious, with good visibility and a more comfortable driving position when compared with the previous model, with a steering column fully-adjustable for rake and reach.

The new interior, with a stylish instrument panel, incorporates a range of smart stowage solutions including a large hidden compartment under the dual front passenger seat and door storage pockets that can fit an A4 clipboard and 2-litre drink bottle.

Ford engineers have tuned the vehicle to deliver driving dynamics more usually associated with a small car, with more confident, car-like handling in both urban and highway driving.

The interior is significantly more refined, with reduced noise levels and improved ride comfort for passengers, when compared with the previous model.

To suit the vehicle’s role as both a people carrier and mobile office, Ford has included several convenience features, including the Ford SYNC voice-activated, in-car connectivity system.

The Ford SYNC Emergency Assistance feature uses the driver’s own paired mobile phone via Bluetooth®+ and runs in the background once the phone is properly paired with SYNC and is within mobile phone range.

In the event of an accident where an airbag is deployed or the emergency fuel pump shut off is triggered, the technology calls for emergency response and begins a 10-second countdown during which the driver can cancel the call if necessary.

Importantly for customers, SYNC with Emergency Assistance has no additional contracts or subscriptions to maintain the service, but it does rely on having a working and properly paired mobile phone connected.

Key Features

• SYNC Infotainment system with Voice Control
• Ford Emergency Assistance
• Cruise Control with Adjustable Speed Limiting Device
• Leather Steering Wheel with phone, audio and voice control buttons
• Height-and-Reach Adjustable Steering Column
• 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi with 6-speed manual transmission
• Auto Stop/Start system
• 2,500 kg towing capacity^^
• 114 kW @ 3,500 rpm
• 385 Nm @ 1,600 rpm – 2,300 rpm
• Hill Launch Assist
• 1,426 kg payload
• 1,786 load height
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Traction Control (TC)
• Trailer Sway Control
• Load Adaptive control
• Torque Vectoring/Curve Control
• Roll-Over Mitigation
• Airbags: Driver and Front Passenger, Seat Side and Side Curtain
• Emergency Brake Assist and Emergency Brake Warning
• Allergy-Friendly Interior (including Pollen Filter)
• Manual Headlight Levelling
• Heated Electric Door Mirrors – power folding
• Battery Management System
• 100-litre Fuel Tank

Pricing

The Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP*) of the VO Transit has carried over unchanged for model year 2016. The newly introduced Transit 410L 12-seat bus has an MLP of $57,680*.

* This is the Manufacturer’s List Price for the vehicle only. A number of other components, including a dealer delivery fee, stamp duty, registration, compulsory third party insurance and other statutory charges may be payable by a customer in relation to the purchase of this vehicle. The final transaction price will be as negotiated by the customer with their chosen Dealer.

+Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG., Inc. and is used under license.

^^Braked towing capacity on 410L 12 Seat Bus when fitted with a Genuine Ford Tow pack and accessory Tow Ball. Subject to state and territory towing regulations.

**Recommended Manufacturer’s List Prices only. Prices shown include GST. The actual selling price for options and accessories (fitted or unfitted) is at the dealers’ discretion.

#Single Rear Wheels

^ Dual Rear Wheels