Not too often falls to us to test the commercial transportation. Do you think it would be logical to see the article about the Ford Transit in the category «Cargo»? Perhaps you are right. But still offer you a slightly different view.

Refer to specifications. Yeah, the car weighs less than 3.5 tons, hence, to control «transit» it is sufficient to category "B" in the permit. Based on this we can conclude that the machine does not require special driving skills. So, we have the moral right to compare «Ford» with ... well, at least with a minivan or SUV - that is the most outer technology in the class of cars.

I should say a few words about what the new Ford Transit. «New», that is, two years ago, «Transit» came to light in two hypostasis, and almost immediately won the title «year Van» (Van of the Year `2001). Light version (carrying capacity up to tons) equipped with a diesel engine DuraTorq, brought a car «Ford» - he raspolagetsya across the car and drive the front wheels.

More serious «polutorki» preserved classical layout with longitudinal location of the power unit, which perform the role of the volume of 2.4 liters of diesel engines - by the way, is just such cars as the mini buses can be observed in abundance on the streets of the city.

Differences in layout imply some structural features, not visible from the outside. At peredneprivodnyh cars engine is transversely, and the level of the floor in the cargo compartment is reduced to ten centimeters. There are differences in the transmission and brakes.

Transit, which you see in the pictures in the factory directory called Kombi 280 SWB, that should be understood as the passenger version of the total mass of 2.8 tonnes with a short wheel base. Thin analysis to realize that this car has a capacity slightly less than t, front-wheel drive and equipped with dvuhlitrovym turbodizelem.

In the hands - the keys to the car, but where is she? I show a significant size to drift, out of which look wheel. Somewhere there should be a door opens ... snowdrift, and I find myself in a spacious cabin. Uff! So holodryga! Neuzhto zavedetsya?

Turn the key, a couple of outbreaks in the cylinders - and frozen dizelek alive, filling the car soft but very distinct tractor tarahtenem. While the engine is warming up, I have seen their temporary possession. The passenger lounge is called the only passenger, for sitting, strangely enough, are optional, and because of this machine are not available - they are just like cross-cutting holes in the floor body. If we consider the «estate» as a carrier, it should be noted is the low level of sex and the opportunity to stand almost in full - «gazelevody» obzavidovalis would.

And it is jealousy overshadowed them to the eyes, if they are on the driver's seat. After a short procedure for adjusting the seat for themselves, I begin to feel as a bridge medium size tug. Vision splendid: a huge windscreen and dvuhsektsionnye exterior mirrors, along with a high planting allows completely control everything that happens around the car.

Pointer temperature signals reaching the engine in working order - you can go. Just to note that efforts to comply with a government car, than the almost three-van. The differences boil down to some nuances. For example, the wheel is almost horizontal, which makes landing a raid «Bus», a high leverage PPC is unusually long course.

Dynamic overclocking first few osharashivaet: van just can not start so frisky! This impression is reinforced dimensions of the machine and the individual sense of lack of size - the realization that you did not manage bantam, is not immediate. But when it does arrive, you begin to grow bolder and attempt to quickly in a stream in the manner of bessonovskogo taxi stump «torsion» (on standard diesel) engine and is very clear from the reactions of the car turns at the helm.

When maneuvering on «yard» Transit surprising speed for a very small peredneprivodnogo car turning radius, allowing you to unfold in a time where much more small cars are not enough and two. However, in the absence of the right corner of the bonnet makes ostorozhnichat, but with little practice, you begin to spin, where, seemingly, the width of the roadway does not exceed the dimensions of «Transit».

Transit - it is, as expected, the vehicle for an active commercial exploitation - without any special technical sophistications and sufficient, even on cars «inomarochnym» standards of comfort. But he could surprise and dalnoboyschika with years of experience, and drivers with freshly rights ten years ago. Surprise one and the same - easy, responsiveness and ease of communication - literally from the first minutes of travel. And while hard work, endurance and reliability - after many years.