Ford Motor Company has announced a new high-roof version of the Transit Custom one-tonne commercial vehicle offering 20 percent more load volume than the low-roof model is now available to order in Europe for delivery later this year.

This new version of the 2013 International Van of the Year is designed for customers including builders and parcel operators, and features 370 mm greater load height to increase the distance from floor to roof to 1.78 meters and offers a maximum load volume of up to 8.3 cubic meters (full bulkhead fitted).

The high-roof model is unique in the segment for its all-steel roof construction that offers more durability than composite roof panels, along with roof rack capability and a maximum roof load of 100 kilograms.

Deliveries of the new high-roof Transit Custom begin later this year, and customers have the same comprehensive options as the low-roof vehicle including short and long wheelbase versions and a wide gross vehicle weight and powertrain range; both van and kombi body styles are available.

Also in line with the low-roof model, the high-roof Transit Custom offers best-in-class load space features including the widest side door opening to enable loaded Euro pallet access, and the ability to carry three loaded Euro pallets in both short and long wheelbase models, according to Ford.
Innovative load space features developed include:

• Load-through hatch in bulkhead enabling loads up to 3.0 meters in length, such as pipes or ladders, to be safely carried inside the vehicle (3.4 meters in long wheelbase model).

• Repositioned DIN and ISO compliant tie-down hooks located on the body sides, to increase usable load area and allow complete cleaning of the floor.

• Tailored, one-piece easy-to-clean load floor liner offering enhanced durability and simple cleaning.

• Ultra-bright LED load space lighting with four high-performance LED units.

The high-roof Transit Custom also offers outstanding fuel economy with CO₂ emissions from 178 g/km delivered by the improved 2.2-liter Duratorq TDCi diesel with optional Auto-Start-Stop. Cost-of-ownership is further minimized by the longest service intervals in the class at two years/50,000 km/30,000 miles, according to Ford.