New Ford Transit Custom Nugget camper revealed as official rival to VW California
Still want that California?
Dusseldorf is home this week to Europe’s biggest campervan show, and Ford has used it to display the latest Transit Custom Nugget, the holiday version of its all-new medium-sized van. The new model is designed to take on the likes of the Volkswagen California and Mercedes V-Class Marco Polo, and comes equipped with a host of convenience features to make it a perfect getaway companion.
As with the original Nugget, the new version has been developed in conjunction with German specialist Westfalia, which also works with Volkswagen and Mercedes on their campervan conversions. Here the Nugget has a bespoke interior that comes with “new premium finishes, enhanced functionality and power from a solar roof option to make getaways easier and more enjoyable,” according to Ford.
Modern new interior
The living space has been completely redesigned when compared with the last Nugget, and there are cooking, seating and sleeping areas included. The heated front seats can rotate through 180 degrees when parked, while the three-seat bench features USB-C ports to charge devices. There’s an L-shaped kitchenette with drawer fridge, hob and sink, the latter now coming with built in hot water. Soft-close cupboard doors add a sense of higher quality than before, and also should mean there’s less noise from bumps and rattles when driving.
The tilting dormer roof means there’s room for two double beds in the Nugget, and the rear bench seat now comes on rails, so it’s possible to convert into a bed singlehandedly. The mattress in the roof has a flip-up section so that headroom is increased when the kitchen is in use, while a hot and cold shower outlet is included at the rear of the Nugget. A privacy curtain is optional…
Always online connectivity
Other interior features include a 5G modem to keep devices connected (network coverage permitting of course) while wireless phone charging and assorted sockets are dotted around the cabin. The optional solar roof allows the Nugget to really head off-grid while still keeping devices charged, and everything in the living area is controlled via a seven-inch colour touchscreen. This includes settings for the LED cabin lighting and a Bluetooth connection to use a smartphone as a remote control, while an inclinometer is also included to help park the Nugget level on uneven ground.
Under the skin, the Transit Custom Nugget uses the highest-spec EcoBlue diesel that’s offered in the new Transit Custom van range. The 167bhp unit features an eight-speed automatic gearbox to help make driving easy, while the Nugget comes in top-spec Titanium trim, so includes tech such as a 13-inch touchscreen featuring Ford’s SYNC4 infotainment and smartphone connectivity.
Plug-in hybrid power in the pipeline
There’s a full suite of safety kit on board, including lane assist, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree cameras, while four-wheel drive will be available at a later date. Also offered at a later date will be a plug-in hybrid variant. This will use the same petrol-electric powertrain as the Kuga PHEV, although Ford hasn’t quoted efficiency or electric range figures for the Nugget as yet.
The Ford Transit Custom Nugget is available to order from the end of August, with deliveries expected in spring 2024. The PHEV version will be introduced “in the following 12 months”, while prices are to be confirmed.
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