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, though, 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 ($31,212) for the model fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox and £24,995 ($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.