Ford’s refreshed Tourneo Connect will be available with both turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, as well as four-wheel-drive, when it lands next year.
Sold in two lengths and offered in three distinctive trim levels comprising ‘Active’, ‘Titanium’ and ‘Sport’, the Tourneo Connect promises to bring style, space and versatility.
Available in a choice of ten colours, the trio are marked out by design cues unique to them, although all get roof rails, LED headlights and share the same honeycomb grille. Sitting on 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels, ‘Titanium’ and ‘Sport’ drop the protective body mouldings found on ‘Active’ for a simpler look.
At its heart is a seven-seat layout that Ford says is “comfortable and highly-flexible” as rows two and three can be folded or removed altogether to create an entirely flat load area for items.
Given its van-based roots, Tourneo Connect owners can transport longer items such as surfboards, kayaks or flat-pack furniture measuring up to three metres long as the front passenger seat also folds flat.
Access to the middle and rearmost chairs is made easier by wide-opening sliding doors on each side of the vehicle, with cubbies, cup holders and charging points dotted throughout the interior for increased practicality.
As for comfort, the Tourneo Connect is available with dual zone climate control and a panoramic glass roof that allows the cabin to be bathed in natural light for an airy feel. Accessory-wise, buyers have the option to add hard-wearing rubber floor mats that can be cleaned down by hand when they become dirty.
Up top, a dash-integrated 10-inch centre touchscreen is standard on all versions of the Tourneo Connect, with sat-nav, audio and climate functions accessed through it.
It also packs in Ford’s ‘Pass Connect’ – a system that provides live traffic reports as well as alternative routes; nearby fuel stations and their pump prices and opening hours; and parking spaces including availability, distance and price.
Standard on ‘Sport’ and available as an option on ‘Titanium’ and ‘Active’ models, the configurable 10.25-inch digital instrument binnacle works in conjunction with the multimedia system to give the impression of one large screen.
A total of nineteen driver safety aids come on the Tourneo Connect, including Lane-Keep Assist, Driver Alert, Hill Start Assist, cruise control and front and rear parking sensors.
Available for the first time is ‘Pro Trailer Backup Assist’ that simplifies manoeuvres when towing by using the door mirror adjustment knob instead of the steering wheel to control the vehicle and trailer direction.
Engine-wise, the Tourneo Connect is powered by a 112bhp 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine paired either to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic transmission. A 2-litre diesel developing 100bhp and 110bhp is also available.
All-wheel-drive can only be had with the higher-tuned diesel/manual arrangement and power is meted out to each corner depending on grip and surface conditions. Unlike some set-ups, the extra gubbins doesn’t compromise overall interior space or loading height.
“The all-new Tourneo Connect is the first of an exciting new generation of Tourneo vehicles from Ford,” said Ford of Europe’s Hans Schep. “Its fresh new design, seven-seat versatility and new all-wheel drive technology plus its all-important connectivity features offer a winning combination for our customers.
“We’ve taken the qualities that customers value and have raised them to another level, creating a new Tourneo Connect that’s ready for any challenge – whether it’s work or play.”
Ford hasn’t announced pricing for the Tourneo Connect but this should be made known once order books open early in the new year.
