Ford and VW LCV future devolpment

**Tornado T5** · 20-01-2019, 08:28 AM

Now that Ford and VW have announced their JV on future developments of the Ranger/Amarok and Transit Custom/Transporter I was wondering what we might gain or lose as potential Transporter buyers.

Sticking to vans my first wish is the total disappearance of the DSG and if the Crafter shows us by it's 8 speed torque converter auto then maybe that was going to happen anyway. I'd like a hybrid as well to get running costs down.

I thought I'd start a list of what quickly came to mind others can add.
I currently own a 2017 Transit Custom auto (34,000km) and 2017 Renault Trafic Crew and previously had a T4 298,000km and T5 300,000km.

Ford advantage:
Better turning circle
larger width b/w wheel arch
6 speed auto now/8 speed t/c auto on the way
hybrid on the way
rear factory camera in wing doors (VW=

)
Cheaper option for safety tech
better dash/cabin storage

VW advantage:
more powerful/greater torque engines
AWD option
Build quality (of all van brands)
more solid feel on the road
higher tow rating

**Sunny43.5** · 20-01-2019, 09:14 AM

Yes I read the reports a couple of days ago here Ford Transit Custom 300S 2019 Review | Drive.com.au Seems at least they have avoided the DSG style auto and its inherent foibles . Power of the engine is not a big deal cruncher for me as our main van is for everyday and weekend drives , as long as it carries our camping gear and MX bikes in a trailer thats fine . Build quality is a bit of an open ended issue with lots of vans , I know there were some glaring issues with our latest T5 but nothing that I could not fix myself as the dealers were as useless as tits on a bull with any kind of remedy . So how is your Ford in comparison to the VW T5 on the road etc .

**Ozsko** · 20-01-2019, 07:15 PM

It will be interesting to see how this goes as the Ford/Mazda relationship was not a huge success for the BT50/Ranger. Mazda are now going to go with Isuzu instead.

**LogicprObe** · 20-01-2019, 08:40 PM

Mazda and Isuzu are a better fit, I reckon.
Ford is all bling whereas Mazda are work.

**Sunny43.5** · 20-01-2019, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by LogicprObe

Mazda and Isuzu are a better fit, I reckon.
Ford is all bling whereas Mazda are work.

Yes I would agree you only have to look at the crap Ford added to the Ranger to boost sales , the yanks must have been insulted by Ford Australia sticking the name Raptor onto a 4 cylinder powered ute . Like GMH sales are boosted by who can come up with the best way to entice buyers to their brand , I always reckon the Australian male with a short penis was drawn to HSV to offset their own shortcomings . I wait with baited breath to see how this marriage works .

**Tornado T5** · 21-01-2019, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Sunny43.5

So how is your Ford in comparison to the VW T5 on the road etc .

Ford is quieter (I4 vs I5) and smoother engine
No real difference in trans. shift quality when VW was working properly.
Much better turning circle in Ford.
Wider width b/w wheel arches in Ford which makes loading pallets easier
Better storage in cabin for bottles, etc in Ford
When fully loaded in rear less sag in Ford
Ford gets about 1.5L/100km lower or approx. extra 100Km per tank.
T5 tracked better in crosswinds but Ford has sharper steering.
T5 tows better by virtue of greater torque lower down (400nm vs 385) and 20kw more power, T5 was really impressive in rolling acceleration when near maximum GVM
No rattles in Ford (34,000km) but T5 had none also after 300,000km

**TonyMax** · 21-01-2019, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Tornado T5

VW advantage:
higher tow rating

I'm not sure how you came to this or how the rating is even calculated, but a 100kg tow ball weight on our Multivan limits you quite significantly with caravans.

**Tornado T5** · 22-01-2019, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by TonyMax

I'm not sure how you came to this or how the rating is even calculated, but a 100kg tow ball weight on our Multivan limits you quite significantly with caravans.

I had a 2007 T5 which had a higher towball weight rating.

**Sunny43.5** · 22-01-2019, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by Tornado T5

Ford is quieter (I4 vs I5) and smoother engine
No real difference in trans. shift quality when VW was working properly.
Much better turning circle in Ford.
Wider width b/w wheel arches in Ford which makes loading pallets easier
Better storage in cabin for bottles, etc in Ford
When fully loaded in rear less sag in Ford
Ford gets about 1.5L/100km lower or approx. extra 100Km per tank.
T5 tracked better in crosswinds but Ford has sharper steering.
T5 tows better by virtue of greater torque lower down (400nm vs 385) and 20kw more power, T5 was really impressive in rolling acceleration when near maximum GVM
No rattles in Ford (34,000km) but T5 had none also after 300,000km

Thanks for that nice to get an honest opinion . Just a short thing these vans can hardly rattle when there is nothing inside them in the first place !! , I have always begrudged the price we pay for what is technically an empty box on 4 wheels with two seats and a rubber floor mat in the front . For similar money you can buy lots of SUV,s that are fully loaded with luxury touches , yes I know they wont carry as much goods etc but hey you get the picture .