A COURIER THAT DELIVERS (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Ford's Tourneo Courier MPV reinvents itself in this new generation form. Jonathan Crouch reports

Ten Second Reviewword count: 43

Ford re-invents it's Tourneo Courier small van-based MPV for a new era. But still offers it with the more affordable option of mild hybrid petrol combustion power, as well as in full-EV form. Either way, it's practical, affordable to run and surprisingly stylish.

Backgroundword count: 126

What will the affordable end of Ford's passenger car range look like after the era of Fiesta and Focus? Well here's one answer to that question, the Tourneo Courier which, as its name suggests, is a passenger-carrying version of the latest generation Transit Courier van. It's made in Craiova, Romania alongside the brand's Puma small SUV and will effectively become the company's entry-level passenger car. It'll be at its most affordable in 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol form, but a full-EV E-Tourneo Courier version also features. Ford wants us to see this new model line as 'fun and fuelled by a restless need for adventure'. You might merely see it as an alternative to the small van-based MPVs produced by Stellantis Group brands like Vauxhall, Citroen and Peugeot.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 220

Even though this Tourneo Courier is based on an all-electric platform, its sales prospects were going to be pretty limited if Ford had only offered it in full-EV form. If the car's intended outdoorsy lifestyle vibe is to be realised in ownership, customers are going to need to be able to travel decent distances. Potentially, longer than the ones they can comfortably travel using the current public charging infrastructure. Which is why the DNA of the Fiesta this model basically replaced lives on in the engine most initial Tourneo Courier customers will choose; the 1.0-litre EcoBoost mild hybrid petrol engine we've been familiar with in various Ford models since the beginning of this decade, here provided in 123bhp form. It's not a proper self-charging Hybrid (the tiny battery can never solely drive the car); but it can be had with either 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed dual clutch auto. Obviously you'll have to have an auto (the usual EV 1-speeder) if you choose the E-Tourneo Courier. This has a 134bhp electric motor mounted on the front axle. There's no dual motor AWD version. Expect a battery size around 54kWh and a range of around 200 miles - about 37 miles more than rival Citroen e-Berlingo or Peugeot e-Rifter competitors. Top speed is 90mph and there's 290Nm of pulling power.

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