The Ford Transit has been a phenomenal success over its near 60 year history.
It comes in multiple shapes and sizes, with low, medium and high bodies, and short, long and extended wheelbases.
Using a Transit as a campervan is not a new idea. My parents had a Transit camper when they lived in Australia in the 1970s and it saw them through many an outback adventure.
They also owned a Transit when they returned to Scotland. My mum would park my buggy in the back with me in it then set off for the supermarket in Glenrothes. The late 70s and early 80s were a different era when it came to health and safety…
Neither of their Transits were anything like the Nugget, though. The Transit Nugget is collaboration between Ford and campervan specialists Westfalia. This means that everything is done cleverly, beautifully and to a very high quality.
It seats five people across a front and rear row of seats. The back seats convert into a double bed for camping. Meanwhile, there’s a pop up roof that contains another double bed, making the Nugget perfect for a family of four.
You get blackout curtains all round as well as insulation panels for the window, which prevent light peeping in and heat seeping out. The front seats swivel so you can sit facing rearwards when camping.
Inside the Transit Nugget
There are short or long wheelbase models. I drove the long wheelbase model, which has the added benefit of a toilet and a shower at the rear. The toilet even has its own sink and there’s a screen you can draw across to gain a bit of privacy from anyone else in the van.
There’s a kitchen that has a double burner and sink, as well as a 40 litre fridge.
The Transit Nugget gives a masterclass in storage. It would take more than my word count to list every drawer, fold-out table, nook, hook and cubbyhole. Suffice to say it’s extremely cleverly designed. Every stack of plates and cups has a piece of soft mesh between each item. Even taking tight bends or accelerating to 60mph nothing rattled or fell over.
Speaking of 60mph, I’ve no idea how quickly it gets there because Ford doesn’t supply acceleration figures for the Nugget. It pulls strongly enough though, even with four people in it.
In fact, the driving experience is very good. You sit high up with a commanding view of the road. It isn’t quite as refined as a saloon car but you can easily talk to passengers without raising your voice. Ride quality is decent too.
Added extras
You can add all sorts of extras to your Transit Nugget. Mine came with something called ICE Pack 25, which added adaptive cruise control, DAB radio, 8in colour touchscreen, sat nav and a few more goodies. You can also add a Visibility Pack that gives you a rear-view camera, lane keeping alert and electric folding mirrors.
Nugget prices did start at around £60,000 and my car, which was loaded up with extra features, cost a little north of £80,000.
However, Ford has very recently been making some changes to the Transit Nugget. The 180hp 2.0 litre diesel unit my model came with has been switched for a 150hp engine.
And Ford has removed Transit Nugget pricing from its website, suggesting they may be tinkering with its cost. As always, if you’re keen on one the best thing to do is pop into your usual Ford dealership.
I have to admit I didn’t get to camp in the Nugget this time. I had other commitments the weekend it was with me, the weather was awful, and it’s dark by half past four.
I did have a thorough poke around its facilities though and was very impressed. Come springtime I’ll be knocking on Ford’s door begging to have the Transit Nugget back for a few more days.
Facts
Price: £82,329
0-62mph: N/A
Top speed: 108mph
Economy: 36.2mpg
CO2 emissions: 204g/km