Ultimately yr’s Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, Ford absolutely up to date its Nugget camper van sequence across the second-gen Transit Customized. This time round, it is rising the household with some new additions, together with a long-wheelbase mannequin that guarantees extra kitchen and cupboard space and an Energetic model with a sportier design and accessible all-wheel drive. Additionally on the launching block is a plug-in hybrid powertrain that turns the Nugget into one of the crucial fuel-efficient camper vans on European roads.
Ever think about your self chasing the van life dream? We’re not speaking simply in regards to the idyllic backdrops and bucket-list locations however the precise nuts-and-bolts of distilling your life right down to a minimal variety of materials possessions and letting go of every little thing else. Sounds daunting, particularly if it is your first time dwelling life on the highway – a few of these discarded belongings are nearly sure to be sorely missed in conditions you possibly can’t even think about forward of time.
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Lengthy story brief, storage space is likely one of the least attractive components of camper van purchasing, however it’s one that may influence your van life success and pleasure fairly a bit. Ford provides some worthwhile cupboard space to the tiny Nugget in collaboration with its conversion accomplice Westfalia by making the camper rather less tiny. The long-wheelbase model grows from 505 to 545 cm (199 to 215 in) in whole size, and the added area on proper facet of the tailgate space will get put to make use of on a bigger wardrobe for garments, towels and sundries.
Throughout the aisle, the left facet accommodates a bigger L-shaped kitchen with longer countertop, excellent for many who wish to cook dinner extra elaborate meals on the highway (or maybe these, like yours actually, who’re a bit disorganized and chaotic within the kitchen). The bigger kitchen additionally offers extra storage for pots, pans and utensils, guaranteeing that every little thing has a devoted place and is there if you want it.
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Maybe much more importantly, Ford assures those that demand a rest room that the long-wheelbase Transit Customized Nugget will even be accessible to order with a rest room sooner or later. It does not specify the format or the title of the mannequin, however up to now, the Nugget Plus supplied a easy tailgate-area lavatory with privateness display screen, rest room and space-saving foldaway sink. For higher or worse, the L-shaped kitchen was simply ahead and throughout the way in which, leaving the rest of the ground plan a lot the identical because the shorter normal Nugget camper van.
Likewise, the brand new long-wheelbase Nugget carries over the identical format because the shorter Nugget, excepting the latter’s bigger tailgate elements. A pleasant various to the standard driver-side kitchen block and folding bench/mattress mini-camper ground plan, Ford and Westfalia create a extra residential division with three separate areas. The eating space is positioned straight in entrance of the kitchen, combining a three-seat rear bench, two swivel cab seats and a detachable desk right into a eating room for 5. At evening, the realm converts right into a double mattress.
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The third and ultimate room is the fastened pop-up bed room that homes the van’s different double mattress. Ford’s Good Camper Touchscreen ties the three areas along with centralized management and data for onboard options together with lighting and heating. It additionally consists of an inclinometer to make it simpler to stage the van out at camp.
The brand new long-wheelbase mannequin will likely be accessible within the Titanium trim we detailed final yr and the brand new Energetic trim. A sportier spin on the Nugget, the Energetic builds on the Titanium spec with SUV-inspired exterior styling, sturdy, waterproof seat material, and a Driver Help Pack with pre-collision help, reverse brake help, adaptive cruise management and extra.
Each the Nugget Titanium and Energetic fashions will likely be accessible with optionally available all-wheel drive. Both method, a combo of 168-hp EcoBlue diesel and eight-speed automated transmission will deal with energy supply.
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The massive information from final yr’s Nugget debut was the addition of a plug-in hybrid powertrain possibility. Ford all the time deliberate a multi-step launch of the brand new camper van and mentioned it could have the PHEV able to order inside a yr.
The Blue Oval geese in on the eleventh hour and will get it carried out by launching the PHEV for order a yr later. The Transit Customized Nugget PHEV drives through a 230-hp mixture of two.5-liter Atkinson cycle petrol engine and electrical motor. The 11.8-kWh battery affords as much as a potential 56 km (35 miles) of all-electric driving, permitting van lifers to roll quietly and cleanly by way of metropolis facilities, campgrounds and pristine wilderness areas whereas nonetheless counting on long-distance gas-electric vary and refueling comfort.
Ford didn’t embody a full pricing breakdown on this week’s announcement, however its web site lists the Nugget base value at €73,126 (approx. US$81,975) in Germany. We’ll preserve an eye fixed out for added info from the Caravan Salon, which opens to commerce and media on Friday, August 30 and to the general public on August 31.
Supply: Ford Europe
