Ford Transit to get leaner diesel

... across the Ford Transit van range next January.

Ford Australia introduced a similar version of the 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel as an Econetic model this year, but it was only available as front-drive variant.

The economical engine will be rolled out across the whole Transit range, replacing a 2.4-litre unit, and the Econetic model will be dropped as a result.

Ford says the new engine will significantly reduce fuel consumption across the range. In most cases it should save operators a litre of diesel for every 100km travelled going by official fuel economy figures.

While it drinks less than the larger engine it replaces, the new TDCi diesel also delivers more power and torque.

There will be two different versions of the new 2.2-litre engine, one for the front-wheel drive Transit and another for the rear-wheel drive model.

The front-drive state of tune delivers 7kW and 30Nm more torque than the previous 2.2 unit for a total of 92kW and 330Nm.

The new engine means the rear-drive Transit now has 11kW more power and 10Nm more torque for totals of 114kW and 385Nm.

CO2 emissions have dropped to a class leading 189g/km.

Ford has made a series of minor changes to improve the fuel economy of the engine, but has not gone as far as introducing a stop-start system that kills the engine at traffic lights.

Ford Australia president Bob Graziano is confident the new engine will be well received.

"I'm certain our Transit customers will welcome the arrival of this new 2.2 TDCi engine and its many benefits," he says.

"The additional power and torque will make driving more enjoyable and the increased efficiency is sure to make a difference at the bowser."