All-new Ford Transit Custom Nugget unveiled

• Diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains
• Redesigned interior
• Orders open from Autumn 2023

Ford only recently revealed its Transit Custom van, and now building on that same platform, the Blue Oval has unveiled the Ford Transit Custom Nugget; a campervan built in collaboration with specialist Westfalia. The new Nugget will get the option of a plug-in hybrid, staying competitive with its rival the Volkswagen California, also due to get a plug-in hybrid powertrain as part of its lineup.

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The new Transit Custom Nugget features a much sleeker design compared to the outgoing model, with thinner headlights, and a new grille featuring a light bar running across the top, giving it a slightly more futuristic look than before. At the rear, it gets smaller tail lights compared to the outgoing model.

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New Ford Transit Custom Nugget interior

Ford’s latest campervan will also get a redesigned interior. German campervan specialist Westfalia has based the entire space around campers’ needs by making the cabin entirely modular. It gets a new L-shaped layout which still allows for occupants to move about the cabin and access cooking, seating and sleeping areas.

There’s a drawer fridge built into the counter, an induction hob, and a sink which gets hot water as standard – an optional feature on the outgoing model. Ford says the new layout frees up 20% more countertop space, and it’s now more refined than before with cabinets now getting a soft-close feature helping to reduce rattles and clangs.

The front seats can also swivel around to face the rear when parked up, helping to utilise the whole of the interior, and a second row allows for three more seats for a total of five occupants when on the move.

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The Transit Custom Nugget gets two double bed spaces in the cabin; one is set up by folding down the rear seating area and the other is accessible by popping up the Dormer roof. A clever space-maximising design means the mattress in the roof section can be folded to increase headroom over the kitchen area when needed. An optional solar panel can be specified on the roof to help charge the battery when off-grid.

Aside from the usual camping fare, the Transit Custom Nugget also gets some high-tech features which add to the glamping experience, such as a 5G modem which provides access to WiFi, plus a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen which controls ambient lighting, onboard heating, and gives information on water and battery levels.

New Ford Transit Custom Nugget powertrains

In terms of engines, a diesel will kick off the range, with the Ford Transit Custom Nugget getting the 2.0-litre EcoBlue turbocharged diesel engine with 168bhp and an eight-speed automatic gearbox – this will be available in front, or all-wheel drive.

Aside from the familiar diesel offering, the updated Ford Transit Custom Nugget will also get a plug-in hybrid option, which uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor, together making 228bhp, and a 11.8kWh battery. Range and performance figures are yet to be confirmed for this version.

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Ford has updated the Transit Custom’s chassis with more sophisticated independent rear suspension, which it says will offer a more car-like driving experience than before. With the option of all-wheel drive, the new Transit Custom Nugget should be more capable in light off-roading conditions. Driver assistance tech will also include active cruise control and a 360-degree camera for better visibility when parking.

The diesel version of the Ford Transit Custom Nugget will go on sale from Autumn 2023, with deliveries expected in spring 2024. Prospective buyers of the plug-in hybrid will have to wait, however, as this model will follow a whole 12 months later. No pricing has yet been announced, but we’d expect the entry-level diesel models to start from over £60,000.

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