Following the recent announcement regarding the introduction of new 2.0-liter EcoBlue turbodiesel engines (including with mild-hybrid assistance), the Ford Tourneo Custom people carrier now gains a plug-in hybrid variant.
Revealed at the GoFurther event in Amsterdam, the Ford Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid is the first PHEV in the segment. It combines a 1.0-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine with an electric motor/generator and a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
Interestingly, the internal combustion engine acts as a range extender, with the front wheels being driven exclusively by the electric motor. It is, therefore, a series-hybrid driveline configuration. Ford says the people-mover can drive in all-electric mode for up to 50 km (31 miles) or 500 km (310 miles) using the range extender. The automaker projects an average fuel consumption as low as 3.3 l/100 km (85.6 mpg UK), with corresponding CO2 emissions of 75 g/km.
Besides energy from regenerative braking, the battery can also be recharged using an external source. Using a charging port located within the front bumper, the Ford Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid can be fully charged via a domestic 240-volt 10-amp power supply in 5.5 hours. Charging time drops to 3 hours when using a commercial 240-volt 16-amp or 32-amp supply.
Ford says the plug-in hybrid system does not affect the Tourneo Custom’s interior space as the compact, liquid-cooled battery pack is located under the floor of the passenger compartment. As a result, the people-mover offers eight seats with conference seating arrangement for the second and third rows.
The Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid offers four selectable (and self-explanatory) EV modes that allow the driver to choose how and when to use the available battery charge: EV Auto, EV Now, EV Later, and EV Charge. Drivers can also choose the degree of energy recovery and braking assistance by selecting either Drive or Low on the gear selector.
Styling-wise, the Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid looks pretty much like a regular model except for the charging port in the front bumper, the power/charge gauge replacing the standard rev counter and the smaller gauge for battery state of charge that replaces the engine coolant temperature indicator.
The Tourneo Custom PHEV will only be available in upscale Titanium specification which means standard equipment includes the voice-activated SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch color touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect on-board modem technology, Active Park Assist, and more.
Customer deliveries of the Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid will begin in late 2019.