Ford Transit Custom 2.0 EcoBlue 170 L2 Nugget Titanium 4dr Auto

Ten Second Review

Ford's Transit Custom Nugget aims to set a new standard for motorhome versatility. Check out what you can now do with one of these as part of your adventures. You might be surprised.

Background

Ford never used to think there was much merit in providing a campervan for the UK market. Its Transit Custom van-based Nugget motorhome model was on sale in Germany for over three decades before it finally arrived here in 2019. The version we have now arrived in 2023 based on the second generation Transit Custom, a van which shares its design with the Volkswagen Transporter LCV that used to form the basis for the Nugget's arch-rival, Volkswagen's California camper. These days, the California has switched to Multivan MPV underpinnings, but it's still the Nugget's closest rival - in a market that also includes two other van-based motorhomes, the Citroen Holidays and the Mercedes Marco Polo. Like the earlier Transit Custom Nugget, which sold like hot cakes in the staycation era of the Pandemic, this one was developed for Ford by German camper experts Westfalia. But the Blue Oval brand gave them a lot more to work with this time round - as we're going to see...

Driving Experience

Ford is offering a petrol PHEV powertrain for the first time with this Nugget and in the future there will be an EV version too. But for the time being, the majority of customers are still going to want to fuel from the black pump. Given that this state of affairs won't have a very long shelf life, Ford hasn't bothered doing much to the diesel that powered the previous generation version of this model. There's a choice of two power outputs for the black pump-fuelled 2.0-litre EcoBlue models - 150PS (with manual transmission) or 170PS (with an 8-speed automatic). The manual can be ordered with a mechanical limit-slip differential for extra winter traction. An all wheel drive system will be available. As mentioned earlier, Ford would also like combustion engine customers to consider the petrol Plug-in Hybrid option, with 232PS of power output. Surprisingly, this PHEV powertrain isn't a borrowed Volkswagen unit but a development of the set-up used by the old PHEV Transit Custom van. This sees a 2.5-litre petrol engine replace the old 1.0-litre EcoBoost unit, with an electric motor powered by a larger 11.8kWh battery which, when fully charged, is expected supposed to be able to take this LCV up to 31 miles without troubling fossil fuel. As for the aforementioned future all-electric E-Transit Custom Nugget, well that will get a 74kWh battery offering a range of well over 200 miles.

Design and Build

The most notable thing about the exterior of the Nugget is that while unlike most of its main rivals, it can be had in choice of standard or long wheelbase body shapes. That might sell this model to you right then and there. Less significant is the option of 'SUV inspired' 'Active' trim that might appeal to more adventurous types. There are five seats and the vehicle can sleep four. As with the previous model, the cabin is split into three parts - front seats, sleeping and kitchen. Obviously, given that this camper is now based on the second generation Transit Custom, the front area is completely different from before - and can be much more car-like. As for sleeping, well the second row (which can take three seated passengers) drops down to create a double bed and because the seats are heated, your bed will be too. The second generation Transit Custom model's flatter floor means you can walk around this motorhome much more easily than was the case with its predecessor and do things like spin the front seats around or store more stuff on the floor. The kitchen area's changed too, with 20% more worktop space and a drawer-style fridge that can now take an upright bottle. A table and chair are stashed in the tailgate and there's a ladder hidden in a cupboard to get you up to the roof bed. Interior lighting and heating controls are dealt with by a 7-inch colour touchscreen, which can also work via an app if you want to connect to it via your 'phone after lights-out. The screen also includes an inclinometer to help you in levelling out the vehicle's positioning on an uneven campsite pitch. We also like the blacked-out roller blinds on the windows, the charging sockets by the main bed, the 5G modem that creates a Wi-Fi hotspot and the shower built into the tailgate (around which you can add a little optional screen). Up to 33-litres of fresh water can be kept on board. The raising roof is also improved, with material better designed for folding. For the first time, you can add a solar panel to it, which in favourable weather could power all the vehicle's internal features without the need for plugging in: neat. We'd want to stretch to the long wheelbase version, which offers either a larger kitchen area or an alternative interior layout that includes a built-in toilet.

Market and Model

The market demographic here isn't particularly price sensitive, made up mainly of older people spending pension funds - and that's reflected by the plump pricing here. There are two trim levels available, 'Titanium' and 'Active'. 'Titanium' models start from just under £78,000 (inc VAT) for the base 2.0-litre EcoBlue 150PS diesel manual model, but you'll need around £85,000 (inc VAT) for the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel 170PS automatic. You choose between short and long wheelbase body shapes. All versions come with automatic headlamps, tinted glass and a 13-inch 'SYNC 4' centre touchscreen with a 5G embedded modem. Plus air conditioning, alloy wheels, keyless entry, a 'Sensico' leather-covered steering wheel and an alarm. Choose an electric or a PHEV version and your Transit Custom Nugget can also feature vehicle-to-load power sockets up-front, allowing you to tap into the vehicle's battery in order to power devices up to 2.3kW, like lap tops or kettles. Options include navigation, a heated steering wheel and obviously a rear trailer coupling. With the manual gearbox model, you can also add a limited slip front axle for slippery campsites. Plus there are various 'Titanium Seat Packs'. And it's worth paying the extra to get the larger 70-litre fuel tank on the diesel. Bigger 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels are also available.

Cost of Ownership

Even the EcoBlue diesel variants have some degree of electrification, Ford's mild hybrid system, which uses a belt-driven integrated starter/generator (BISG) to replaces the usual alternator, enabling recovery and storage of energy during vehicle decelerations, and charging a 48-volt lithium-ion air-cooled battery pack. The BISG also acts as a motor, using the stored energy to provide torque assistance to the engine under normal driving and acceleration, as well as running the vehicle's electrical ancillaries. The EcoBlue diesel's Auto Start-Stop technology operates in many situations, including when the vehicle is stationary in gear, and when the vehicle is coasting to a stop. The driver can adjust the coasting speed at which Auto Start-Stop operates, between 7mph and 12mph. In our 'Driving' section, we also told you about the PHEV petrol/electric version which has an 11.8kWh battery offering around 30 miles of EV range. For the future, obviously, the cleanest and most efficient version of this model will be the E-Transit Custom Nugget, which as we told you in our 'Driving' section has a 74kWh battery with a driving range of well over 200 miles. Charging takes just under 8 hours from an 11kW source, while DC public charging can take the battery from 15 to 80% capacity in 41 minutes. Ford has designed the charge profile to 'frontload' the energy, which allows a 125kW fast charge to add 23 miles of range in just 5 minutes for quick top-ups.

Summary

The Transit Custom Nugget's selling point is that unlike some of its main rivals, there's the useful option of a long wheelbase body style and potentially (when the EV version arrives) a wider choice of powertrains. We think that bigger body style will be the greater draw - space is the ultimate luxury in a camper van and this one makes very good use of it indeed. We can't imagine that too many potential Nugget customers will be too bothered about the idea of cruising around in a converted Transit Custom van, but any who might be will find themselves pleasantly surprised at just how car-like the latest underpinnings are. The end result is arguably a class-leading camper.