I must say when the X first did this, I was a bit puzzled but within a couple of minutes the benefits are very apparent, we dont realise how much we have to fuss about with our lights without this feature. Step forward to now and jump inside the latest Transit people carrier - the Tourneo Custom Titanium X - and it's a new world with luxury from top to toe. Having now driven this brilliantly designed vehicle for quite some time I am now able to give you an insight into all aspects of the Ford Tourneo Custom Titanium X 185ps diesel auto model including all its features and benefits, drivability and specification. The X also makes light of 3 point turns and manoeuvring generally is quite simple and nimble too. I can see clearly through the front windscreen and the suitably tinted rear windows to each side. The images of vehicles on our website are range shots, they may not accurately reflect the vehicle you are looking at and are intended for illustrative purposes only. The width at the entry of the SmartFlare ramp is 1082mm which narrows to 782mm and this is the maximum ramp width the Custom can accommodate, this means that the maximum floor width inside the Custom is a tad greater. By signing up you agree that we can process your information in accordance with our privacy policy. In difficult driving conditions this is a huge bonus and having Static Cornering Lights is the icing on the cake. We are very pleased we took all our customer-facing experience and translated that to a wheelchair accessible vehicle that would please everybody, it really isnt that easy to do that but we believe we have succeeded and wed love to share our enthusiasm with you so why not come and take a look at the world of possibilities we can offer you. Nighttime driving is an absolute treat in the X as the headlights have Auto High Beam assist which means the vehicle will automatically switch between high beam and dip when appropriate. This modern day seven-seater (there's also a nine-seater available on a long-wheelbase platform) has all the trimmings such company executive travellers would expect, such as leather trimmed seats, front and rear air conditioning, privacy glass, twin sliding side load doors with steps for ease of access and much more. Electrically operated, heated and power-foldable auto-fold door mirrors with body-colour housings, blind spot eliminator and integrated side indicator the mirrors are superb and almost all blind spots are eliminated, Integrated sunblinds on second row windows, plus third row windows on L2 models increase your privacy or cut the sunlight down, Rear-view camera in conjunction with the 8 touchscreen display which shows you the vehicle direction as it changes and where you will end up on your current course and it is pinpoint accurate. We as a company have added some features to the build on our new vehicles that we feel make the X a better vehicle for wheelchair users because after all when you are carrying a wheelchair passenger you are accepting a great responsibility and its the finer points that help all aboard to have a more pleasant journey however short or long it may be. This is quite an achievement as usually we usually find ourselves craning our necks to ensure we dont have someone in our blind spot which the Custom just doesnt seem to have much trouble with. Admittedly the Titanium X is top of the range and costs a whopping 44,658 but this new Ford people carrier is obviously not aimed at humble scout groups anymore and more for the premium business market carrying executives from A to B. The SmartFold ramp has a 12.5-degree entry angle and feels very solid when I start to enter the Tosca. Of course, you can come and test drive ours and see for yourself, we are all different, but heres what I think and feel to give you some insight. I have spent much time testing the X and seeing what limitations it has (no limits, Ill leave that to Top Gear) and dangers such as water on the road and weve had plenty of that in 2019, it handles with finesse and just seems to shrug off. Of course, if there are aspects of the X you simply arent interested in, we are more than happy to source you a Titanium or Zetec specification model, just ask and we will cost it for you. Of course, if you are entering in an electric wheelchair that is different, but I think a winch should be considered here too, most electric wheelchairs have a neutral switch (and a finite battery life) and coming backwards out of any WAV can certainly be a challenge for some and sometimes a little intimidating too. Improvements to the chassis and suspension make it a whole different ball game - this Tourneo even had the 1,104 option of rear air suspension to further improve comfort. In this Tosca conversion, the distance between the seats and the floor space in front means my wheelchair sat far enough forward for me to be sitting exactly where the middle seat would have been with passengers on either side of me, not just in front of me but exactly where I wanted to be, with them. Although I am not a wheelchair user, I wanted and needed to know what it would be like as a wheelchair passenger to enter the Tosca, travel aboard, and exit the vehicle too. Mechanical:128bhp, 1,998cc 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed automatic gearbox. We use cookies on our website to analyse our traffic and share information about your use of the website with our analytic partners. 17 10-spoke Sparkle Silver finish alloy wheels with locking wheel nuts and wheel arch extensions new vehicles all come with this darker colour, the earlier ones were silver and the new ones look much better. The WAV industry is typically loaded with low specification vehicles and this is what inspired us to convert the X, it just has so many well thought out features that are beneficial to all who enter, we couldnt resist it! I have travelled in all seats in a Custom Titanium X as well as both the Tosca and Lucca conversions seats with wheelchair users present. I was truly amazed that almost immediately I sat in the Custom I felt confident to start it up straight away. It has three settings so you can change the sensitivity and it is intelligent. By using this website you agree to our use of cookies to enhance your experience. Truth be known, the Transit started life in 1953 need to be a driver-only vehicle and Fords have generally always been known for their superior handling and driveability, likely because the traditional white van man often drove on the edge so the vehicle needed to handle well. The MPG figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results, are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience. On our return, the winch was used to help me exit the vehicle and that put me at ease, we then detached the winch and I re-entered the Tosca by being pushed in manually. I appreciate there are better cars out there but we are thinking about the X in terms of how it behaves once it is converted to have wheelchair access so it will behave differently than when driven as a standard vehicle. Pye Motors 2015 - 2022. We are also happy to fit dashcams that can be switched to an internal view so a front passenger can observe a wheelchair user in the rear if necessary and there are also several other specification benefits we can have fitted at the build stage, locally or during conversion so please ask. Safety systems include front and curtain airbags. For passengers the ride is a far cry from those earlier Transit days. It's ideal too for hotels, posh restaurants and airlines transporting people around and has all the hallmarks of an expensive and luxurious mode of a travel - just like a top executive limousine. Pye Motors Ltd accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of vehicle data, and although we have made every effort to ensure that the information provided on our website is accurate, errors can sometimes occur. By David Ward on 2019-02-02 - David Ward is a motoring journalist with over 40 years of continuous coverage of the motor industry working for national, regional and local newspapers along with motoring and consumer magazines. *Finance Facility Fee is payable with the first instalment. Now, I know this is not innovative technology but how many WAVS come with something like this, the truth is not many. The front passenger and driver seat obviously being the comfiest as they are both heated as standard, the driver seat being electric, what could be better. I can confirm this too having driven all the WAVS we have stocked over the years as I have to turn in a small space at the bottom of our yard when I come in each morning. Most importantly even when most of us look to buy a vehicle, we dont usually manage to understand everything it can do for us and in the wheelchair accessible vehicle industry this is very important indeed. We are always ready to manage this when we demonstrate wheelchair accessible vehicles to our customers who may not have the experience to be aware of this when a wheelchair user enters the vehicle for the first time. In other words, it works effectively, isnt alarming and allows the driver to act appropriately with enough time or, let the X do it for you. Having the winch between the two front seats gives maximum access and floor space forward for the wheelchair user allowing them to go right between the second row Ford leather Dark Palazzo seats which only we use in our conversions. Following on from this aspect of wheelchair user position we also need to consider where a wheelchair user sits relatively inside a lowered floor WAV; in relation to what is around them. This doesnt suit everyone but at least you, the customer, can decide from a choice of three ramp styles because after all, who gives you a choice out there in WAV land. Our conversions are always of the highest quality, we never compromise on any aspect of our Lucca and Tosca signature models. We strive for the perfect wheelchair accessible vehicle and that doesnt just mean its all about the finish and the build quality, its about the attention to detail and that for us is the little extras that make all the difference. TRADITIONAL large vans converted in some form to become people carriers have always had their own niche in the car market. The Ford Tourneo Custom Titanium X The Peoples Luxury Mover. Please note we are unable to offer this vehicle on the Motability scheme but do have lease and hire purchase options readily available. Then we have the Rain Sensing Wipers, again not an innovative feature but very necessary for the British weather and putting all these packages together driving the X in any weather is a very relaxing experience because you can keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel and just confidently drive through the worst possible weather feeling relaxed. Below is the Titanium X specification over the Titanium and Zetec models of the Tourneo Custom with brief explanations of what it means as discovering and learning about it for myself means hopefully I can explain it to you so you can understand how it might be of benefit to you. It moves through the gears slowly and efficiently and backs down again until you are at a halt and then Fords Stop-Start feature kicks in. Required fields are marked *. Pre-Collision Assist adjustable on the multifunction steering wheel to change the sensitivity and is highly effective and non-alarming! Remember too, there are more than enough USB ports located near the passenger seats in the vehicle and the rear air conditioning is zoned separately from the front, so you are in control in the rear. 4 Isofix seats this will depend on the conversion that works for you and is discussed during each customers vehicle build planning, An extended 5-year dealer warranty it says just what it does on the tin. Secretly I also had more confidence in the winch than the person pushing me in which I dont think should be a surprise to some wheelchair users out there. The dashcam will always be recording the forward view so there is no risk any incident will be missed should anything untoward happen on the route. This is almost certainly down to the 17 tyres, a superior chassis and Fords attention to the stability of this vehicle which has certainly paid off because I can now happily confirm there is nothing so far that has phased me, or the X, whatever the road conditions are. There is bags of room inside with plenty of sensible storage spaces and ample head and leg room. Freepost Ford Credit. The transmission through the gears up and down is smooth, tolerant and I never feel like I need to kick down, it just happens, and this is important because it means Ford got the ratios right on the 2.0-litre diesel 185ps unit. Sunday Appointment only Home appointment on request, Useful Documents Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions. I have driven a few vehicles in the WAV market with stop-start and many are dire taking what seems like an age to go through the cycle which is very frustrating in a constant stop and start situation like slow-moving traffic. Further charges may be made subject to the condition of the vehicle, if the vehicle is returned at the end of the finance agreement. Guarantees/Indemnities may be required. I recently had to drive through some quite severe side winds and very heavy rain in the X, and I am very pleased to report that the Tosca xs L1 Tourneo Custom Titanium X I was driving behaved itself very well indeed. Take the long running Ford Transit, for example, which some 30 odd years ago I used to take my local scouts on their annual summer camp packed in with eight kids along with tents and other camping paraphernalia. Automatic headlights with auto dip and full beam these are magic, and I have never been flashed by anyone, they just work brilliantly and I never realized how often I switch the lights between dip and full beam or how many times driver error has annoyed another driver. Parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces are also a breeze as the X has an excellent turning circle and puts many much smaller cars to shame as well as some of its similar-sized peers. The Custom I am driving is an L1 lowered floor Titanium X with four standard seats plus a tip and fold seat in the rear as opposed to the original 8 standard seats in an unconverted X and it handles extremely well instilling confidence when driving the vehicle and, in very testing road conditions. As we use the Ford original seats, we are also very pleased to confirm that one of the row 2 seats can be reversed so a passenger can face backwards during travel which can be highly advantageous for a carer supporting a wheelchair user with greater or ongoing needs whilst in transit. I was then helped to exit the Tosca xs without the winch and whilst I wasnt in any danger, its a long way to travel at someone elses mercy so my advice is to have a winch fitted if you have a manual wheelchair, its well worth it. We will of course advise you on the best ramp option for your circumstances and, although they will all work well, we know which ramp suits different types of the wheelchair so you can be assured of getting the right one for you. We were after a WAV that would look and behave as much like a standard vehicle as possible without a huge price ticket and we believe we have achieved this and are thrilled to show you too. Interestingly on a standard Custom with 8 seats, you do in fact lose approximately 150mm from the bottom of the rear window because of the 3rd row of seats. Despite its size and heritage, I can truly call the Tourneo (that word distinguishes it from its more basic Transit sibling) Custom a car because thats exactly what it feels like to drive. The tip and fold seats we can fit in the L1 and L2 Tosca are the most comfortable we could find, and we tested a few! After early experience in Fleet Street as a news reporters he developed his own niche in the motoring world writing for the Northcliffe UK Media Group and its parent Associated Newspapers and continues to do so to this day. Incidentally, I know WAV drivers do worry about upsetting other drivers in car parks as they often have to inconvenience other vehicles movements but my advice is dont worry about what other people think, those that are small-minded enough to be that intolerant arent angry because of your needs, its just them and you are best to ignore what think, the SmartFlare ramp will help of course as it means your vehicle wont be so far forward and less obstructive to others. As a driver, I am always impressed with long lists of specifications for a vehicle but rarely do understand most of it before I start pressing buttons. The emphasis can be adjusted around the vehicle, to the front cabin or the rear as well as having fade and balance so it really is surround sound. Then I turn my attention to visibility as we all naturally do before we set off in a new vehicle and there are treats in store here too. We believe that the location of the wheelchair in our Tosca xs (L1) and xl (L2) conversions are ideal for wheelchair users and also remember that if a wheelchair user would like to be further back this can be accommodated in the design by relocating or adding further restraint points. You can also easily deactivate the Active Braking feature, so the vehicle wont automatically brake for you too so you control the controls. If I am close to another car when turning, the front parking sensors will tell me with a mixture of green, amber, red lights and the youre going to hit something audible warning it gives when you get very close so I can move with confidence. Ford Ranger Wildtrak double cab 2.0-litre EcoBlue automatic. The oversteer is quite possibly due to the reduction in weight of some vehicles post-conversion and isnt really an issue with a standard build vehicle so I am in no way suggesting this is a design fault. The Tourneo was fine and at less than two metres high there were no dramas when parking in height restricted supermarket car parks. Fords growth in the van market has certainly helped them to have the edge with the distinction that really does make it a better vehicle than anything else in its class in my humble opinion. Once you have turned the key or started it remotely, the Custom come alive, automatically switching on the LED daylight running lights and Im a big fan of these. Fords main (and obvious) contender, the Volkswagen Caravelle, is still considered to be the van to be in and for many years has ruled the roads in its size and class. The visibility in the rear-view mirror, and this depends on the conversion you have, gives confidence that you can see exactly what you need to see. Each time you take a bend depending on whether it is a left or a right, the appropriate fog light will illuminate the roadside and forward of it too so being in a higher driving position you are always aware of where you are on the road. Then and only then could I report on how it feels for a wheelchair passenger. I dont need to look behind me at all when reversing, even in the dark and rain, as it shows me as much of what is happening in the periphery areas as it does directly behind me. If you feel too tall in a WAV, its not a great feeling but we have worked hard on the Tosca conversion to ensure balance in all matters for all users whether wheelchair-bound or not. Having first sat in the pre-warmed heated seat I immediately notice the excellent all-around visibility; the commanding driver view and the comfort and flexibility of the seat. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us. Overall, the Tourneo Custom Titanium X may be expensive but compared to rivals like the VW Transporter it's still represents good value for the money. I am not lightweight and there was some grunting and groaning going on behind me, but I went in fine. There is plenty of room for my footrests as I come to a halt as the stainless steel sloping front of the lowered floor rises to the bulkhead so there isnt a chance of crushed toes. Dont get me wrong I am not claiming the Custom is superior to these marques, but it does represent excellent value for money against them and is quite different too. Pye Motors Ltd is a credit broker/intermediary that can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to provide funding for your vehicle. The dashboard is clear and concise in its lay out and there's an infotainment system plus heated seats and door mirrors, cruise control, adjustable speed limiter, LED daytime running lights, blind spot warnings, a rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors and much more. This is most helpful to all and I can imagine quite reassuring for those with serious medical conditions that may need attending to quickly. Slipping into the now warm driver cockpit I soon realise that I am in control of what seems like a large vehicle but Fords superb attention to detail will help you feel safe and ready to transport your valuable charges. It really is a most refined engine that's responsive enough with a stop/start system. Pye Motors work with a number of carefully selected credit providers who may be able to offer you finance for your purchase. It really does perform when you need or want it to. I seem to be led to turn the key as if I had driven this vehicle many times before. At Southern Mobility Vehicles Ltd we only use the highest quality materials and components for our conversions, and this all adds up to what is a great vehicle to be in as a wheelchair user, driver or passenger. Whether you're a petrol head or buying your first car, keep up to date on all things motoring with our occasional email alerts and newsletters. Oversteer is where a vehicle in a turn feels like it wants to drive in a tighter bend than you are in and can cause the driver to feel the need to counterbalance this by turning the steering wheel against the bend direction to check the vehicles position on the road. We all need to be seen on the road these days and you will probably never know how daylight running lights may have helped you avoid hitting or, being hit by someone or something and that can only be a good thing. Getting into a brand-new vehicle one would usually feel a bit apprehensive, but the Customs layout just puts the driver at ease and, if the driver is at ease, your passengers are too. Despite the overall size, it's an extremely easy vehicle to drive. Moving on to other driving aids that instil us to confidently press the loud pedal we find Pre-Collision Assist which will warn you if it looks like you are going to have an impact. The distance between the row 2 seats can vary if the Isofix seats are required as on a standard pre-conversion X these are located on the outer ends of row 2 and row 3 and number 4 in total. If you imagine yourself sitting rear-facing in a standard Ford leather seat as you care for your wheelchair user, you have a total view of your charge and they would have peace of mind that you were always there for them too, we will discuss this with you when we build your vehicle. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Once I am settled and am secured in properly, I take a proper look around me, I am between my fellow passengers and at eye level with them too with excellent all-round visibility too. It is also important to say that the VW has been around much longer and is going to be remodelled in 2020 and the Tourneo Custom is the newcomer. As well as the SmartFold ramp we also have two single piece ramps available, the SmartFlat and our exclusive SmartFlare ramp, the SmartFlare ramp has an innovative twist. It has a claimed top speed of 99mph with a combined fuel consumption of 39.8mpg. Based on your search find the dealership nearest to you. The X stops and starts as a vehicle should with almost no delay between me moving my foot from the brake to the accelerator, so I dont find myself wondering if the impatient driver behind me is going to be on his horn in milliseconds because he wont need to be. The vehicle remains locked and immobile until you enter the ignition key and turn it, at this point the air conditioning adjusts itself to standard heating mode reducing the blowers. I am pleasantly surprised; the ride height is good and from the driver back this will make others feel more confident and I did myself after a short period of time. Now to the journey, travelling in a moving vehicle in a wheelchair can be a stressful time for a wheelchair user but much will depend on the care and attention to every detail that will reduce any anxiety and we did as much as we could to ensure the wheelchair user wants to get in their chariot and enjoy the experience. The Tourneo Custom Titanium X combined with our conversion and all the options you, our customer, decide on make our WAVs unique in the marketplace. All seats can fold, tumble, stow or be removed maximum flexibility which is perfect for our Lucca x conversion allowing for a wheelchair friendly space quickly, Front & Rear air zoned conditioning with pollen filter, Leather-trimmed steering wheel leather on a steering wheel always feels good in the hands and helps with grip to as well as being warmer, Cruise control with Adjustable Speed Limiter adaptive cruise control means the vehicle will slow down and speed up when it senses traffic ahead, this is very helpful and does take getting used to. The 2.0 litre 185 ps (182 bhp) diesel engine produces 415Nm (306 lb-ft) of torque and the motor will willingly take you smoothly up through the gears to a more than adequate velocity. Rain-sensing wipers extremely useful along with the auto dip and full beam feature above, it really helps for a safer drive. For the driver, there are now more car-like features that it really makes life as a chauffeur so much easier with distinctive Mondeo/Focus features inside. I can report they are all spacious and comfortable. I have driven both and the reduced weight doesnt seem to bother the X at all when it comes to handling which is great news indeed for all who travel in it. We are only able to offer finance products from these providers: Ford Credit PLC, Black Horse Ltd, Ford Lease, Barclays Partner Finance, Close Motors Finance, Evolution Funding Ltd and Mann Island Finance. In our lowered floor Tosca x conversion, you will almost certainly gain visibility through the rear-view mirror as the third row would not be there, instead, there could be tip and fold seats if they should be required.