A NEW 2.0-litre diesel engine is now available for the latest Ford Transit and Custom vans which Ford says will improve fuel consumption by 13 per cent.

The new power unit is the EcoBlue, which replaces the old 2.2-litre diesel engine and it also reduces CO2 emissions.

With stop-start fitted, Ford is claiming that the Transit and Custom can achieve 46.3mpg and 42.2mpg respectively and should save owners around £1,250 in fuel costs over 80,000 miles of use.

Scheduled maintenance costs are also reduced, with the extended variable service intervals of up to two years/37,000 miles offering up to an additional 6,000 miles between services on both Transit and Transit Custom models.

The EcoBlue engine comes in three power sizes - 105bhp, 130bhp and 170bhp - and Ford is claiming the new unit offers improved, smoother running and reduced noise.

Other improvements to the Transit and Transit Custom vans include better steering feel, superior rear damper design for stability and comfort.

There is also a choice of optional extras such as traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection systems.

Also new to the range is a new stability control system which controls side wind surges. It applies brakes to one side of the vehicle to reduce the effect of crosswinds.

From late 2016, customers also will be able to specify a sixâspeed automatic transmission in place of the manual gearbox.