Road Tests: Ford Transit 350 LWB

If this test gives the impression of being unduly harsh, remember that the new Transit is the result of years of development from a clean sheet by one of the planet's biggest manufacturers. Given this background, and the importance of the market, nothing less than 100% achievement is enough. We think it falls a little short of this target. A truly outstanding chassis and excellent packaging only serve to highlight the comparatively disappointing engine, which is only partially disguised by that dragster diff ratio. In terms of performance, economy and noise, it is merely adequate where it should be exceptional, and should perhaps be best judged as a stop-gap until Ford feels the market is ready for common-rail (or vice-versa). The new Transit doesn't just have to compete in today's market - given current product cycles it's going to be around for most of the new Millenium's first decade. You can be sure that new products from Mercedes, VW, GM/Renault, the Sevel partnership and even LDV/Daewoo are already at various stages of readiness on their CAD screens - some are already in the metal - and it is against these newcomers that the Transit will be fighting for much of its life. The new Transit is a good product: only time will tell if it matures into a great one.