Ford is pulling the rug out from under Volkswagen by introducing its first plug-in hybrid camper van at the Caravan Show in Düsseldorf, Germany.
While Volkswagen is presenting at the same event a concept of its future California plug-in hybrid, based on the Multivan, Ford is already announcing a production vehicle. The North American manufacturer presents its new Nugget, based on the latest generation of Transit Custom, also co-developed by Ford and Volkswagen.
A Westfalia rear kitchen layout
The layout is still entrusted to the Westfalia specialist, a Ford partner. The new Transit Custom Nugget retains the rear location of its galley area. This allows access without folding the bottom bed, but sacrifices the trunk found on other models, such as the Volkswagen California or the Mercedes Marco Polo.
As a result, the highest part of the pop-up roof is at the rear, and this is where you access the upper bed. The fabric of the roof finally becomes self-folding, whereas that of the previous generation had complicated our life during our test.
Many previously optional features now come standard to keep up with the competition, such as camping chairs and an outdoor hand shower. The latter even benefits from standard hot water and an optional privacy tent attached to the tailgate.
In addition, the new Nugget incorporates numerous driving aids, an induction charger, a 5G modem and, in addition to a new 13-inch central screen, a 7-inch touch screen in the living area to manage the equipment. “It makes it easy to check and control heating, water levels, battery level and lighting”explains Ford, as found on a Volkswagen California.
Finally, an optional solar panel can be placed on the pop-up roof. It powers equipment and recharges the auxiliary battery to increase autonomy once you arrive at your campsite.
First in diesel, then in plug-in hybrid
The new Ford Nugget will be available for order in the fall of 2023 in a diesel version for delivery in the third quarter of 2024, before the arrival of a plug-in hybrid version (PHEV). It uses the powertrain of the Kuga plug-in hybrid, equipped with a 2.5 l four-cylinder Atkinson cycle and an electric motor for a combined power of 232 hp.
It remains to be seen what autonomy the Nugget PHEV will manage to draw from the useful 11.8 kWh battery, with an SCx and a mass significantly higher than the Kuga, as well as the price of this new version.