I’m sorry to report that America’s time being home to the best Fords has come to an end. It’s time to sell off your Mustangs, F-150s Raptors and Broncos and move to Europe where you can buy this, the Ford E-Transit Custom MS-RT – the most powerful Transit Custom Ford has ever created.
The new E-Transit was unveiled this morning alongside new MS-RT models for Ford’s Ranger pickup truck and the regular gas-powered Transit Custom. Each model, Ford says, is about bringing “motorsport-inspired productivity” to the road. Now, I’m not sure what motorsport series is renowned for its productivity, but whichever it is I’d like to get onboard right away, as the E-Transit Custom MS-RT is awesome.
For the MS-RT models, Ford says it’s worked with engineers from its rally racing M-Sport division. As such, the new van comes with a whole host of performance and cosmetic upgrades over the standard Transit Custom.
First up is the power, and the E-Transit Custom MS-RT is now officially the most powerful Transit Custom that Ford has ever made. Under the hood, the upgraded van has a 210kW electric powertrain, which Ford says produces around 280 HP. In contrast, the standard E-Transit Custom starts with less than half that figure.
The MS-RT van can also be ordered with a 170hp, two-liter EcoBoost engine or with a 230hp plug-in hybrid powertrain.
To keep all that newfound might on the road, Ford has given the E-Transit Custom updated independent rear suspension and the track width has been increased by more than two inches. There’s also a set of exclusive 19” alloy wheels that are wider than the standard van’s rims, and they’re each ensconced in Goodyear Eagle Sport tires.
There are further aesthetic changes that you might spot on the new van, like an all-new aerodynamic front bumper that comes with an integrated spoiler. The MS-RT pack also adds side skirts and a “sporty” rear quarter that includes a new bumper, integrated rear diffuser and a big ol’ wing up top.
The van looks awesome, especially in this vibrant green color that Ford is showcasing the MS-RT van in. And it’s more than just style over substance, as the new E-Transit van also packs in all the tech any self-respecting van driver would need, like dual-zone automatic temperature control, a digital rear-view camera, front and rear parking aid, and cruise control.
But there is a catch with this awesome new van. If you want one you’ll have to move to Europe as Ford has no plans to offer this monster for sale here in the U.S.
By my last check, the cheapest way of getting a visa to live across the pond is by obtaining Maltese permanent resident status, which will set you back around $100,000. I guess if you factor in the cost there, this van might not be the best buy out there.
