UPDATE: we have now driven this new lifestyle van – read our Ford Transit Connect Active review.
Ford has released full details of its new Transit Connect Active and Tourneo Connect Active lifestyle models. These were initially announced as future versions when the Transit Custom Active and Tourneo Custom Active were revealed in 2020, and are set to go on sale in early 2021.
As with their bigger brothers, the Connect Active variants take SUV-influenced styling enhancements and plaster them all over a commercial vehicle, in this case Ford’s entrant into the small van market. Sounds like it should be a horror show, actually works quite well.
What’s more, the Connect Actives get increased ride-height and the option of extra traction via the same mLSD as the bigger vans. Keep reading for the full lowdown.
Wait. Do cool lifestyle people still say lowdown?
>> Sign-up for the Parkers Vans and Pickups newsletter
What makes the Transit Connect Active?
Ford’s Active range started on its Focus and Fiesta cars before spreading to the Transit Custom and now the Transit Connect – alongside its Tourneo Connect passenger carrying sibling.
As with the others, the Tourneo and Transit Connect Active gain additional body cladding to prevent scuffs to the paintwork – most noticeable around the wheel arches and along the sides, but also found on the door mirrors and rear bumper – plus front and rear skid plates, all aiming to give it a ‘tougher appearance’.
The Connect Actives are also the first vans to see an increase in suspension height – a feature of the Ford Active car range but not possible on the Transit Custom Active or Tourneo Custom Active.
The increases on the Connect Active are 24mm at the front, 9mm at the rear, improving ground clearance for rough roads and slightly raising the driving position. It’s a very purposeful-looking little van, especially with the standard 17-inch polished alloy wheels.
Roof rails are also standard-fit on these models, as they’re expected to appeal to lifestyle customers who are likely to want to carry bike racks, canoes, and so forth.
Active badges and a full-width rear decal complete the makeover, and buyers can choose a couple of unique colours: Sedona Orange and Solar Silver.
What’s an mLSD, and which versions of the Transit Connect Active can be fitted with it?
The mLSD is a mechanical limited slip differential – a physical device that helps the driven front wheels maximise grip on slippery surfaces. Together with the raised ride height and extra ground clearance, this should allow the Transit Connect Active to venture further off the beaten track (though not tackle full-on off-roading).
It’s an optional extra on the 120hp model with the manual gearbox only. The same technology is used in many of Ford’s performance cars for enhanced cornering traction, including the Fiesta ST, the Focus ST and the Focus RS.
How many types of Connect Active are there?
All Connect Actives are powered by 1.5-litre EcoBlue TDCi turbodiesel engines, though you can choose between 100hp or 120hp. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard or you can pay extra for an eight-speed automatic. Only the 120hp manual can be fitted with the mLSD, and this is available on the Tourneo Connect Active and the Transit Connect Active.
Two body lengths are available, giving the Transit Connect panel van a 2.9 cubic metre or 3.6 cubic metre load area; maximum payload is 982kg.
The standard-length Tourneo Connect Active has five seats, while the longer Grand Tourneo Connect Active has seven seats.
All the same safety features are available on these as the rest of the range, including autonomous emergency braking, sidewind stabilisation and an intelligent speed limiter.
What’s the price of the Ford Transit Connect Active and Ford Tourneo Connect Active?
When initially announced in July 2020, for slightly puzzling (presumably marketing) reasons, the Tourneo Connect Active was slightly cheaper than the Transit Connect Active, despite the extra glass and seats. Prices for the Tourneo Custom Active were set at £21,285, while the Transit Connect Active was due to cost from £21,675 – both excluding VAT.
However, they were also due to start reaching dealers before the end of 2020, but we have learned that they are now delayed until February 2021 at the earliest. Since Ford is also still working on its post-Brexit pricelists, we don’t yet know how much they will cost at this point – but will update this page as soon as there is further info.
Also read:
>> Ford Transit Custom Active amps-up the lifestyle with SUV-inspired makeover
>> Our Ford Transit Connect review
>> Official: next Ford small van to be based on Volkswagen Caddy
