Ford’s all-new Nugget combines advanced new features with a premium camper interior to deliver more enjoyable and electric drives.
By Aris Galanopoulos,
Ford is unveiling the all-new next-generation version of its popular Transit Custom Nugget camper model, which combines the latest vehicle and interior features with the aim of offering more enjoyable road trips. For the first time in the model’s history, customers will be able to enjoy the possibilities offered by an advanced electric drive system, thanks to the availability of a plug-in hybrid variant.
The new Nugget was developed in collaboration with leading motorhome conversion company Westfalia and features the popular and unique multi-zone interior layout that continues to differentiate the Nugget from its competitors.
The next-generation Nugget benefits from Ford’s all-new vehicle platform launched this year for the flagship Transit and Tourneo Custom family, 1 which introduces new and advanced design features, connectivity and driving technologies. In the living area, customers enjoy new high-quality finishes and improved functionality, while a solar roof panel is also available, aimed at ensuring more comfortable and entertaining getaways.
“The Nugget helps owners discover new places – and with the extra comfort, connectivity and PHEV version of the new model, they can go even further. Customers tell us that they use their Nugget as family cars, to transport friends and bikes in the countryside or for a new life after retirement, so we designed our latest Nugget to meet all these requirements” said Hans Schep, general director of Ford Pro in Europe.
The next generation of the Transit Custom Nugget will be launched gradually, starting with the Nugget Titanium range with a tilting roof and a 170 PS EcoBlue family diesel engine and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which will be available to order in Europe in August 2023 and delivery in spring 2024. 2,3 Other models, including a PHEV version, will be introduced in the next 12 months.
The new platform makes traveling a pleasure
With road trips typically translating into journeys of hundreds of kilometers spanning several days, the next-generation Nugget benefits from the improved technology, driving experience and design of the latest range-topping Transit and Tourneo Custom models.
Ford has made the most of the luxurious cabin design of the new Tourneo Custom, incorporating superior levels of craftsmanship and quality materials to significantly increase passenger comfort.
Freedom of movement within the cabin is already a key purchase reason for many Nugget customers. The new dashboard design and flat floor make it easier to access the cabin and make it easier to move from the two front seats to the living room. The passenger airbag is mounted on the roof, helping to optimize the dashboard layout. The lower floor and integrated side step also make it easier to load items or get passengers in and out, supported by class-leading sliding side doors and a large tailgate opening.
For the first time in the Nugget, Ford is introducing a plug-in hybrid drive system, which shares the same technology as the Ford Kuga PHEV 3.4 – the best-selling plug-in hybrid model in Europe in 2021 and 2022 5 The all-new Nugget PHEV uses a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine combined with a battery with a useful capacity of 11.8kWh and an electric motor to deliver a combined 232PS and all-electric drive capability energy.
An all-new chassis with independent rear suspension improves ride quality and handling, while models with drive on all wheels they will be available for customers who use their camper vans in rough terrain for outdoor sports activities or for those who are simply looking for more confidence when leaving the car parks of major festivals.
The elegant cockpit features a fully digital cluster and a large 13 inch touch screen. Finding a destination, entertainment and communication is simple with Ford’s most advanced SYNC 4 software. 6 The system’s connected navigation, audio and communication functions can be controlled via the touchscreen or via voice commands, while wireless integration of Android Auto and Apple Carplay is standard. 7
Special attention has been paid to making the new Nugget safe and easy to drive, even for drivers used to smaller sized cars. In addition to the driving position that is reminiscent of a passenger and not a van model and the new eight-speed automatic transmission option, the Nugget features a range of advanced driver assistance systems. 8 Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering helps reduce fatigue on long highway journeys or in heavy traffic, while Reverse Brake Assist and a 360-degree camera system support drivers when maneuvering in tight spaces.
Improving a unique camper philosophy
Ford and Westfalia have significantly raised the new model’s delivered levels of quality and ergonomics, completely redesigning the living space around the popular layout with separate zones for cooking, living and sleeping. This unique interior design means that even with two double beds open, campers can move around the cabin, cook or get in and out of the vehicle without disturbing each other.
The Transit Custom Nugget’s seating area is a safe and comfortable place to travel, which easily converts into a dining and sleeping area when the vehicle is parked. Alongside optimized storage spaces and high-quality materials, Ford has also incorporated features such as:
• Heated and swivel seats driver and passenger
• Unique three-seater rear bench with optional heating, which allows five passengers to travel comfortably
• New speakers and USB-C ports standard for rear-seat passengers
A streamlined kitchen with an L-shaped layout makes cooking more enjoyable. A new and practical cooling chest of drawers makes it easy to access contents and is large enough to hold bottles upright. Combined with the new built-in hob and sink unit – now with hot water as standard – the uncluttered surface design offers 20% more workbench space. Soft-close latches and pop-up handles protect children’s fingers and dampen noise while riding.
The all-new Nugget features key design improvements over the previous model, including a folding mattress section to increase headroom in the galley while the upper bed is still in place, as well as a rear bench mounted on rails with new controls for easier one-handed adjustment. A rear mounted hot/cold shower is now standard, with the rear door privacy awning optional. The camping experience is further enhanced with brand new features including:
• Tilting roof with new self-folding fabric which simplifies lowering the roof
• Young people built-in storage spaces for the standard outdoor table and chairs
• Practices blackout blinds cylindrical type, which replace curtains for protection from prying eyes and simpler operation
Beyond the camping equipment changes, the all-new Nugget also offers high-tech features to improve connectivity on the go and comfort when parked. Wireless charging 9 and standard 5G modem 10 ensure entertainment and connectivity for everyone without the worry of running out of phone battery or data. Choosing her solar roof you can power various functions inside or recharge the leisure battery, and in ideal weather conditions more power can be produced than the built-in functions use.
An exclusive 7 inch color touch screen in the living room allows easy control and operation of the heating system, water level and battery levels as well as Nugget lighting. New features of the model include:
• Control of the sophisticated new interior LED lighting, incl colored and adaptive interior lighting
• Inclinometer function for driving on sloping terrain
• Bluetooth compatible app to turn a smartphone into remote control for cabin functions
The all-new Transit Custom Nugget continues Ford’s long-standing partnership with leading conversion company Westfalia, which positions the company to take advantage of strong demand in Europe for one-tonne camper vans.
Source: Skai
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