Ford Transit SSV unveiled

Ford Transit SSV - 12.4.2011

Debuts at the Commercial Vehicle Show

Ford has unveiled the one-off Transit SuperSportVan (SSV) ahead of its debut at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, England.

Designed to be the ultimate man van, the SSV is based on the short-wheelbase 260 model and features "Le Mans-style bonnet stripes," a dual exhaust system, and an aerodynamic body kit. While performance specifications weren't released, power is provided by a 3.2-liter five-cylinder diesel engine that develops 200 PS (147 kW / 197 hp) and 470 Nm (347 lb-ft) of torque.

Besides the SSV, Ford will also display the Transit Connect Electric that will be launched in the United Kingdom in June. As we have previously reported, the van has a 28 kWh lithium-ion battery which enables it to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 12 seconds, hit a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) and travel up to 130 km (80 miles) on a single charge.

Check out the press release for additional information

Source: Ford

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FORD TRANSIT SUPERSPORTVAN!

Ford creates one-off Transit - Transit's biggest ever diesel engine fitted into smallest short wheelbase model
Project combines Transit engineering excellence with driving fun

BIRMINGHAM, NEC, April 12, 2011 - Ford has taken the wraps off the next evolution of its iconic SportVan bloodline - the one-off Transit SuperSportVan (SSV).

For this special project, the largest has been partnered with the smallest - Ford's range-topping, five-cylinder 3.2-litre, 200PS Duratorq TDCi engine has been shoehorned into a short wheelbase Transit, for maximum power-to-weight ratio. The engine, normally to be found in bigger Transit models like the 4.25 tonnes Transit Jumbo, delivers 470Nm at 1700-2500 rpm and mates with a six speed gearbox. Under the striking livery, the rest is fundamentally the base SportVan.

The regular Transit SportVan is based on the popular 260, short wheelbase model with front wheel drive, the 140PS 2.2-litre TDCi diesel engine and a six-speed transmission. The exterior features Le Mans-style bonnet stripes, twin exhausts, alloy wheels, low profile 235/45 tyres, front and rear lower spoilers, side skirts and extended wheel arches. Standard safety features include ABS, ESP and driver and passenger airbags.

Power deadlocks, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, front fog lights and a load area protection kit similarly come on every SportVan. Optional are leather seats, Satellite Navigation FX system with 5in colour screen, LED cargo lights in rear and LED daytime running lights.

The SuperSportVan takes centre stage at this year's Commercial Vehicle Show, at the NEC, Birmingham, but is strictly a limited production of one.

Steve Clary, commercial vehicles director, Ford of Britain, explained: "Transit has a strong reputation for its robustness and practicality. We wanted to add some contemporary fun and also showcase our engineers' skill and enthusiasm. SuperSportVan demonstrates just how far you can go with a white Transit van by mixing and matching regular technology in a different way."

The creation of the SuperSportVan is the latest chapter in the story of fast Transits, which began in 1971, with the creation of the GT40-based Supervan 1.

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