Ford lately introduced one thing very cool: the newest model of its “Nugget” campervan. Like its predecessor, it’s a collaboration with Westfalia, however now it’s obtainable with at the least some electrical vary. Let’s check out what the van gives, after which talk about some methods they might make one thing even higher for the North American market.
Introducing The Newest Nugget
First, let’s have a look at a brief video that reveals it off (extra info and an extended, extra detailed video are additional down).
The brand new Nugget camper, created in collaboration with famend camper converter Westfalia, showcases a particular multi-zone inside structure that units it aside from opponents. The following-generation Nugget is made doable by Ford’s all-new car platform, launching this 12 months for the market-leading Transit and Tourneo Customized household. This platform introduces superior design options, connectivity, and driving applied sciences. Within the residing area, clients will take pleasure in new premium finishes, enhanced performance, and the choice of a helpful photo voltaic roof for simpler and extra gratifying getaways.
“Nugget is about serving to homeowners uncover new locations — and with the additional consolation, connectivity and PHEV possibility of the brand new mannequin, they’ll go additional than ever. Clients inform us they use their Nuggets as household vehicles, to get mates and bikes to the subsequent path, or as a extra thrilling form of retirement plan, so we designed our newest Nugget to do all of it,” stated Hans Schep, basic supervisor, Ford Professional, Europe.
The following technology Transit Customized Nugget will occur a bit at a time. The preliminary launch would be the Nugget Titanium collection, that includes a tilt roof and a 170 PS EcoBlue engine with an eight-speed automated transmission. Clients can place their orders from Ford sellers in August 2023, and supply is predicted in spring 2024. Extra fashions, together with the PHEV possibility, will probably be launched throughout the subsequent 12 months.
Ford began with the brand new Tourneo Customized’s luxurious cabin design, enhancing consolation for occupants with superior craftsmanship and high-quality supplies.
Straightforward motion throughout the cabin is a prime motive why many Nugget clients select it. With a brand new dashboard design and flat flooring, accessing the residing space from the entrance seats is a breeze. The dashboard structure is optimized with a roof-mounted passenger airbag. Loading and coming into/exiting the cabin are made simpler with a decrease flooring, built-in aspect step, and class-leading sliding aspect door and rear tailgate apertures.
For the primary time, Ford introduces a PHEV powertrain within the Nugget, leveraging expertise from the Ford Kuga Plug-In Hybrid — Europe’s best-selling PHEV in 2021 and 2022. The all-new Nugget contains a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle petrol engine, an 11.8 kWh (usable) battery, and an electrical motor. This mixture delivers a complete output of 232 PS and allows pure-electric driving functionality.
The brand new chassis options unbiased rear suspension, enhancing refinement and dealing with. All-wheel drive choices cater to clients who make the most of their camper vans for out of doors sports activities or search added confidence in navigating pageant automobile parks.
Security was additionally a prime precedence. The brand new Nugget prioritizes security and ease of driving, accommodating even these accustomed to smaller vehicles. It gives a car-like driving place, an non-compulsory eight-speed automated transmission, and superior driver help methods. These embody Clever Adaptive Cruise Management with Lane Centring, which reduces fatigue on lengthy freeway drives or in stop-start site visitors. Moreover, Reverse Brake Help and a 360-degree digicam system help drivers in navigating tight areas.
Ford and Westfalia have tremendously improved the standard and ergonomic options of the brand new mannequin. They’ve fully redesigned the residing area, creating separate zones for cooking, residing, and sleeping. This distinctive inside design permits campers to maneuver across the cabin, cook dinner, and enter/exit the car with out disturbing one another, even with two double beds arrange.
The seating space within the Transit Customized Nugget offers a safe and comfy journey expertise. It conveniently transforms right into a eating and sleeping space when parked. Along with optimized storage and premium supplies, Ford has included numerous options akin to:
- Heated driver and entrance passenger’s rotating captain’s chairs
- Distinctive three-seat rear bench with non-compulsory heating allows 5 occupants to journey in consolation
- New audio audio system and USB-C ports as customary for passengers on the rear bench
An optimized kitchen with an L-shaped structure enhances the cooking expertise. The inclusion of a sensible new drawer fridge permits simpler entry to its contents and accommodates upright bottles. The built-in hob and sink unit now comes with customary sizzling water, whereas the decluttered floor design gives 20% extra devoted worktop area. Baby security is prioritized with soft-close latches and noise-dampening pop-out handles.
The brand new Nugget has design enhancements over the earlier mannequin. It features a flip-up mattress part to extend kitchen headroom whereas preserving the higher mattress in place. The rear bench is track-mounted and has new controls for straightforward one-handed adjustment. A rear-mounted sizzling/chilly bathe outlet is now customary, with an non-compulsory tailgate privateness tent. The tenting expertise is enhanced with new options, together with:
- Tilt roof with new self-folding material to simplify reducing the roof
- New built-in stowage areas for the usual out of doors desk and chairs
- Sensible curler blackout blinds exchange curtains for enhanced privateness and easier operation
The inside additionally has a wide range of tech options, together with touchscreen management panels, temper lighting, and smartphone connectivity.
The US Wants One Primarily based On The Largest E-Transit
Whereas I’d actually like to have one thing just like the Nugget, we’d like extra of a “Rooster Breast” for the US market. Larger households, longer adventures, and simply the truth that we like issues larger imply that Ford ought to construct one based mostly on the bigger Transit platforms that promote right here.
Plus, that is CleanTechnica, and we’re often lots larger on BEVs than hybrids. So, it is smart to make one for the US market that’s based mostly on the biggest E-Transit with the most important battery obtainable. Not solely is that this extra up our alley and higher environmentally, however with the ability to boondock on all electrical energy would make for a really luxurious and fossil-free tenting expertise.
So, in case you’re from Ford and are studying this, let’s discuss. We’d like to drive one thing like this across the nation.
Featured picture by Ford.
I do not like paywalls. You do not like paywalls. Who likes paywalls? Right here at CleanTechnica, we applied a restricted paywall for some time, nevertheless it at all times felt unsuitable — and it was at all times robust to resolve what we must always put behind there. In idea, your most unique and greatest content material goes behind a paywall. However then fewer individuals learn it! We simply don’t love paywalls, and so we have determined to ditch ours.
Sadly, the media enterprise remains to be a troublesome, cut-throat enterprise with tiny margins. It is a endless Olympic problem to remain above water and even maybe — gasp — develop. So …
