Aftermarket companies would modify pretty much
anything nowadays, as long as there is genuine demand for their products. In recent years, we’ve seen an
increasingly high number of tuned vans, including from automakers themselves,
which means buyers do want their vans quicker — or at least to look quicker.
This phenomenon seems to be more prevalent in the UK, where people like their
vans fast and mean, for some reason.
Just check out this MS-RT Transit Connect Launch
Edition, a limited-run model built by a Welsh tuning company. Based on Ford’s compact panel
van, the project will be made in a production run of 40 units, which may be a
good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. The wild body kit designed and
manufactured by the company at its Welsh factory makes the MS-RT Transit
Connect look as a SEMA Show exhibit.
The plastic injection-molded body kit includes
aggressive front and rear bumpers, side skirts, wheel arch extensions, and a
roof spoiler for a more muscular appearance. This custom Transit Connect also
gains a quad stainless steel sports exhaust system and 18-inch OZ Racing alloys
shod with Michelin tires.
Inside, it welcomes occupants with a hand-made Nappa
leather and suede cabin, as well as a carbon inlay sports steering wheel.
Content-wise, all models offer LED loadspace lighting, a premium infotainment
pack with sat-nav and a reversing camera, bi-xenon headlights and twin side
loading doors. MS-RT will also offer customers the possibility of upgrading to
bronze alloy wheels, a Maxhaust exhaust system, a rally sticker pack, black
exhaust tips, and a full carbon steering wheel.
There’s no mention of a power upgrade which
means owners will have to explain to their friends why a van that looks mighty
fast is not. The MS-RT Transit Connect goes on sale in late summer 2019 with
prices starting from £ 23,995 (US$ 31,212) for the model fitted with a six-speed
manual gearbox and £ 24,995 (US$ 32,513) for the automatic transmission version.
The prices for the standard van are also valid for the Launch Edition version.
The Launch Edition vans will be delivered in
September while the standard production vans will follow in October. The
differences between them include the Launch Edition’s Magnetic Grey paint,
upgraded alloys as standard, unique interior, sticker pack, and “Limited
Edition” numbered plaque.
