Dependent on the quality of the customisation, most modified light vans can command a double-take in our highly vehicle-aware market. There is hardly a street in any village, town, or city in the UK that does not have a head-turning VW Transporter, Renault Trafic, or Vauxhall Vivaro parked on it. Owned usually by hobbyists that include anglers, outdoor sports enthusiasts, or just customising fans, a growing number of businesses want an attractive, zapped-up, modified van, upon which to declare their enterprise.
Although some Ford Transits have received the customising treatment, none of the conversions has been as thorough, or professionally attractive as that produced by Pontypool-based MS-RT. While the Transit Custom was launched last year to much acclaim, the latest Ford-approved conversion is to the Transit Connect, its smaller brother.
An important vehicle, its roots lie in the original Escort van, replaced by the more purposeful Connect model in 2002. Powered by Ford’s 1.5-litre Eco-Blue turbo-diesel engines in 74, 99 and 118bhp forms (badged 75, 100 and 120), it is the latter unit, mated to a very slick 6-speed manual gearbox (an automated-manual alternative transmission is available as an option) that powers the MS-RT test van.
While the standard van is defined by its styling that incorporates a useful, Euro-pallet sized load cube, this van has the optional twin side-sliding doors for easier access to the load bay that has a maximum carrying capacity in this form of 595kgs. The rear ‘barn doors’ open fully to allow forklift truck access, even with the lightly extended rear bumper bar fitted as part of the MS-RT kit. The rest of the customising exercise deals with cosmetics, such as new front grille and bumper, side-skirts, tail spoiler, 18.0-inch diameter OZ alloy wheels, with enhanced tyres and twin exhaust outlets that work!
The cabin, protected by a full-height metal bulkhead, provides flexible access for a driver and passenger; the ‘double seat’ on the nearside of the cab being just about wide enough for two slim occupants. Fully retrimmed in faux suede (Alcantara) and Nappa leather, the seats are very supportive and comfortable. The driver’s seat and steering column offer an enormous range of adjustability and positioning the gearlever in the lower dash-centre allows space for the middle occupant’s knees. A sporty steering wheel is an element of the conversion, while the in-built sat-nav also provides a screen for rear-view.
Structurally rigid, the Transit Connect rides firmly but comfortably and can be hustled through the Welsh countryside with amazing eagerness. Its steering responds crisply and it handles competently. Thanks to leggy gearing, a fuel return of around 58.9mpg is in prospect, yet the Connect is not short of verve and can top 100mph with ease, while despatching the 0-60mph benchmark in around 11.5s; it is certainly enough to match its racy appearance.
