Ford has revealed its all-new multi-activity vehicle, the Tourneo Connect, with seven-seat capability and a choice of two lengths.

Ford says it is perfectly suited to handle everything from transporting camping gear and sports equipment to providing a practical partner for small businesses.

The seven-seat capability is available on both short‑wheelbase L1 and long‑wheelbase L2 models. When not in use, the second and third seat rows can be folded, tumbled or removed to create a load area for work or sports equipment.

New features include assisted driving to reduce stress and Pro Trailer Backup Assist to simplify manoeuvres when towing. There is also a new all-wheel drive system and an automatic transmission option for petrol-powered models, both part of an expanded range of new petrol and diesel powertrains.

Hans Schep, general manager of Ford Pro Europe, said: “The all-new Tourneo Connect is the first of an exciting new generation of Tourneo vehicles from Ford.

“Its fresh new design, seven-seat versatility and new all-wheel drive technology plus its all-important connectivity features offer a winning combination for our customers.

“We’ve taken the qualities that customers value and have raised them to another level, creating a new Tourneo Connect that’s ready for any challenge – whether it’s work or play.”

Ther are large sliding side doors on each side of the vehicle and with the second and third row seating removed, Tourneo Connect offers up to 3.1m3 of load volume in L2 models and 2.6m3 in L1 models.

Carrying longer items or bulky leisure equipment is facilitated by maximum load lengths of 2,265mm behind the first row of seats, 1,452mm behind the second, and 629mm behind the third for L2 variants (1,913mm, 1100mm and 317mm for L1 variants).  

All-new digital cockpit technologies

All Tourneo Connect models – Active, Sport, Titanium and Trend – feature a large user-friendly touchscreen on the dashboard. An 8.25-inch screen comes as standard, with the 10-inch screen standard on Titanium, Sport and Active series in right-hand drive vehicles.

The touchscreen provides controls for navigation, audio and cabin climate, while other features such as telephone connection, vehicle information and audio configuration are grouped in sub-menus.

Customers can also specify an advanced digital cluster display in place of the traditional dials – a feature that is standard on Sport models and available on Titanium and Active models.

The digital cluster has a 10.25-inch screen in the instrument binnacle that can work alongside the central infotainment system to offer drivers more information and control.

Vehicles with the 10-inch touchscreen feature a FordPass Connect modem to help customers stay connected while on the road.

Available Online Navigation uses cloud data to offer additional live updates including traffic reports and alternative routes; nearby fuel stations including prices and opening hours; online map updates; and parking details including availability, distance and price.

Tourneo Connect customers can remotely access more information using the FordPass or FordPass Pro smartphone apps.

New levels of driver assistance

Tourneo Connect offers 19 driver assistance technologies to make journeys more comfortable, less demanding and safer.

The standard specification includes: Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning; Lane-Keeping System; Driver Alert; Cruise Control; Adjustable Speed Limiting System; Hill Start Assist; and Front and rear parking sensors.

Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Information System and Cross Traffic Alert are also available.

The all-new Tourneo Connect also introduces new driver assistance technology bundles. Parking Pack adds Active Park Assist with Park Out Assist, which can identify and automatically steer into and out of perpendicular and parallel parking spaces while the driver controls the accelerator, braking and gear selection.

Towing Assist Pack includes new Pro Trailer Backup Assist to help prevent or mitigate the risk of “jack-knifing” when reversing with a trailer.

The system enables even inexperienced drivers to manoeuvre with confidence by using the door mirror adjustment knob instead of the steering wheel to control the vehicle and trailer direction.

Together, Tourneo Connect’s rear‑view camera and sensors detect the trailer’s perimeter and superimpose guidelines on the camera screen to further help drivers.

Tourneo Connect models equipped with the PowerShift automatic transmission can also be specified with Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centring, which provides assisted driving for accelerator, braking and steering functions to reduce stress on highways or in stop and start traffic.

An electric parking brake is fitted as standard to all Tourneo Connect vehicles.

Sport series vehicles introduce Adaptive Front Lighting System as standard, which can intelligently recognise driving scenarios including motorway, city, countryside and junctions, and alter the headlamp beam pattern and brightness to optimise visibility and reduce glare. Auto high beam and LED headlamps and taillamps are also standard.

In addition to its advanced driver assistance technologies, the all-new Tourneo Connect can be specified with including Quickclear heated windscreen, rain‑sensing wipers and heated door mirrors.

Powertrain line-up

The line-up of four-cylinder turbocharged engines includes a 1.5‑litre EcoBoost petrol engine producing 114PS and 220Nm of torque, and two EcoBlue diesels developing 122PS and 320Nm of torque, or 112PS and 280Nm of torque, with anticipated fuel consumption up to 57.6mpg and CO2 emissions from 127g/km.

Auto Start-Stop technology is standard across the range.

Both diesel engines feature an innovative “twin-dosing” system that injects AdBlue upstream of two selective catalytic converters to help reduce nitrogen oxides, and are also compatible with Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and Gas to Liquids (GTL) alternative fuels.

All models feature a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The seven‑speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic gearbox delivers fast, smooth gearchanges for manual gearbox-rivalling performance with the comfort and convenience of an automatic, says Ford.

Customers can now also opt for all-wheel drive for the first time on Tourneo Connect. The system automatically distributes torque between the wheels depending on driving conditions and surfaces, helping drivers maintain progress in more challenging conditions. 

All-wheel drive is available on models fitted with the 2.0-litre 122PS EcoBlue diesel engine and six‑speed manual gearbox.

Engine under-shield protection is available from the factory to support customers who frequently drive on rough surfaces.