Ford has added a plug-in hybrid powertrain to the Tourneo Connect MPV, touting a 68-mile electric-only vary – one of many longest of any PHEV on sale immediately.

The powertrain takes after that of the bigger Tourneo Custom in that includes a 1.5-litre petrol engine, a high-voltage battery and a front-mounted electrical motor.

The system sends a mixed 147bhp and 258lb ft of torque to the entrance wheels by way of a six-speed computerized gearbox.

The battery may be charged at speeds of as much as 50kW and is seemingly the identical as that used within the intently associated Volkswagen Caddy eHybrid, which hasn’t but reached the UK market.

The Ford’s driver can select between 4 modes: EV Now, wherein the automobile makes use of the electrical motor solely, EV Auto, which lets the automobile resolve which energy supply is greatest within the given state of affairs; EV Later, wherein drive comes from the petrol engine solely; and EV Reserve, wherein the battery cost is held to be used afterward.

The PHEV powertrain is accessible in each the five-seat Tourneo Connect and the seven-seat, long-wheelbase Grand Tourneo Connect.

Boot area hasn’t been compromised by the addition of the hybrid powertrain, with 3100 litres on supply when the third row of seats is eliminated. 

Three specs are supplied: Trend, Titanium and off-road-esque Active.

As commonplace, vehicles include 16in alloy wheels and a ten.0in digital instrument panel. Higher-grade fashions get chrome exterior detailing, bigger 17in alloys and a panoramic-glass roof.

A mess of driver help applied sciences come as commonplace, together with pre-collision help, lane-keeping help, driver consciousness alert, adaptive cruise management, hill-start help and entrance and rear parking sensors.