Difficult December brings out best in Ford’s new bus
December is always a busy time around here and this past one proved far more than just that. Our challenge at that time of the year is the rotating door of family and friends visiting, spawn home from abroad, you know, the usual. But this year threw far more at us. From wildfires to power failures, emergency runs and more.
So asking for a Tourneo Custom bus for the break period proved a very good thing at the end of the day. And it went a long way to proving just how versatile and user friendly this Ford bus really is. Launched last year, this Titanium X adds a little flagship flair to the regular Trend and base Active models. It now also shares its platform with the Volkswagen bus range. Much like the Ranger and Amarok bakkies do.
Like the bakkies, pairing Ford and VW’s strengths is a good thing. Both brands need different boxes ticked in different areas, which also makes for better all-round vehicles, whatever the badge. Anyway, Titanium X retains the Tourneo Custom’s space and versatility in a short wheelbase configuration but retains an albeit more luxurious eight-seat layout.
Titanium X is versatile luxurious
Renowned for outstanding practicality, space and comfort, the Ford Tourneo is a most versatile bus that covers it all. From a fine a family vehicle to a surprising business tool, which our difficult December would soon prove in its ability as both a practical tool and a reflection of the owner’s success.
Set aside by a unique front grille treatment, Matrix LED headlamps and striking multi-spoke 19-inch alloys, Titanium X brings all the regular Tourneo Custom traits. It also steps up to a more powerful and efficient 125 kW 390 Nm blue tech engine driving the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic.
Boasting that latest improved vehicle architecture and independent rear suspension for a smooth and comfy drive, it has five Normal, Eco, Slippery, Tow and Sport drive modes. Talking towing, it will tug a 2.2-tonne braked trailer, while payload is 750 kg in the 5.8 dm3 bay. Add assistance features like adaptive cruise control and a handy 360-degree camera. This vehicle’s biggest selling points are however its practicality and versatility.
Superb seating solutions
Like a biggest in class sliding doorway, a lower floor height and an integrated new sidestep to make access and loading easier. The real party trick here is however Tourneo’s superb flexible track-mounted second and third row seating system. It’s as easy as click-clack-cluck to remove, replace and reconfigure the rear bay configuration literally within seconds.
That proved an absolute boon to our time with this bus. One minute it was whipping three generations of family to Christmas lunch. The next it was transporting a cleaning crew and equipment to mop up a fiery disaster. And not a day later the power was out and with all the seats removed, Titanium X quite literally gulped up an entire village of laundry to a remote supplier when wildfires once again burned the power lines down.
Featuring lightweight new seats with integrated second row seatbelts and ISOFIX on the second and outer third rows, it’s quick and easy to reconfigure the cabin. The sub-two metre vehicle height also makes it easy to access garages, yet its comfy and spacious inside with ample aircon vents to keep everyone happy on even the hottest of Boland days.
Titanium X adds cool Tourneo touches
Titanium X gains a powered front passenger seat and a neat Mobile Office pack. It also brings enhanced cab lighting, additional USB ports convenient laptop and tablet stowage and an integrated trashcan over and above Tourneo’s regular FordPass suite of connective features.
That said, it desperately needs grab handles on both A-pillars to ease access. The VW has them, why not the Ford? Another aspect that seems under developed and over active is the perhaps unnecessarily overbearing driver fatigue warnings that meddle ridiculously soon after every restart.
The critical touchscreen infotainment system controls are also too small. Makes it difficult to press on the correct point. Distracting and dangerous. Its very laggy at times and the radio resets to a set volume every single time you start the car. Way too loud. Should just set to what you last left it at.
A versatile, practical and stylish bus
The centre console area could be far better configured. There’s not enough usable storage space, no place to conveniently leave your mobile phone, for example. And the wireless charger is way too far away all the way down by the floor. And while we found the electric sliding doors handy, they are a bit too slow to open and shut.
All that considered, the Ford Tourneo Custom Titanium X is still an exceptionally versatile, practical, modular, smart and stylish bus. Powerful and efficient too, its extreme versatility is underpinned by an exceptional rail slider system. The rear seats are so easy to move, remove, and reinstall to make it a brilliant and modular workhorse that saved our bacon multiple times in the short time we had it. – Michele Lupini
Testing & images: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Ford Tourneo Custom Titanium X
Engine: 125 kW 390 Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel I4
Drive: 8-speed automatic FWD
Payload: 750kg
Load Volume: 5.8 dm3
Max Towing: 2500kg
ROAD TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 4.89 sec
0-100 km/h: 12.11. sec
0-120 km/h: 17.37 sec
400m: 18.1 sec @ 123 km/h
80-120 km/h: 9.40 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 180 km/h
Fuel: 7.4 l/100km
CO2: 194 g/km
Range: 1075 km
Warranty/Service: 4y 120K/6y 90K km extendable
LIST PRICE: R1.27M
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