FORD Australia has returned to the sunshine bus section with its new 12 seater Transit Bus, of which only a single variant shall be supplied from $63,690 plus on-road prices.
Set to do battle with the brand new LDV Ship 9 Bus, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Bus, Renault Grasp Bus, Toyota HiAce Bus and the Volkswagen Crafter Bus, the brand new people-lugging Ford is on the market solely in a 2+9 format with an non-obligatory ($2500) excessive roof including not solely extra headroom however overhead stowage cabinets and studying lights as effectively.
Now with a power-sliding aspect door, the brand new Transit Bus comes with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen boasting each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – satellite tv for pc navigation is a $600 possibility – whereas the sliding door might be opened/closed by both the driving force or passengers.
Different normal tools highlights and security options embody adaptive cruise management, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot data system with rear cross-traffic alert, lane protecting support, lane departure warning with driver alert, visitors signal recognition, computerized headlights, high-beam and wipers, heated windscreen, programmable MyKey, rearview digicam in addition to entrance and rear parking sensors.
Powered by the acquainted turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine good for 125kW of energy and 390Nm of torque, energy is shipped to the rear wheels by way of a 10-speed computerized transmission.
Accoriding to Ford Australia and New Zealand president and CEO Andrew Birkic, the Transit Bus had all the time been a well-liked possibility inside its section however there was a “sturdy demand for it to come back with an computerized transmission”.
“We will now ship on that want and assist teams of Aussies journey in consolation and magnificence, whether or not that be sports activities groups off to their massive recreation, a shuttle to the airport, or colleagues heading to a convention,” he mentioned.
Sub-20-seat gentle bus gross sales are up 3.7 per cent to this point this 12 months ending February with 423 items shifted, the overwhelming majority of (which 391/92.4%) have been Toyota HiAce Buses.
