Ford Put the F-150 Raptor’s Grille on a Van and Our Minds Are Blown

You can’t fault Ford for taking advantage of the F-150 Raptor’s bold look. And you also can’t deny that the Transit is a pretty innocuous canvas for a silly bit of dress-up. Build a Transit van that’s got a bit of Raptor to its face? Sure, why not? Live a little!

In the United Kingdom, this combo is available as the Ford Transit Trail (and also the midsize Transit Custom Trail, a slightly smaller version of the Transit that’s not sold here). And the new trim level is more than just a cool grille that adds a bit of style to the Transit’s maw.

The Transit Trail is available with two drivetrains: Rear- or all-wheel drive. The rear-drive variants get a new mechanical limited slip differential co-developed with Quaife and optimized for the vehicle’s stability control system. There’s no impact on fuel consumption or emissions, Ford claims. The front-wheel drive Transit Custom Trail also gets a mechanical limited-slip diff.

Matte black detailing, additional body cladding (also in black), and a unique split-five-spoke 16-inch wheel design complement some interior upgrades, such as leather seating surfaces and Ford’s Quickclear heated windshield.

There’s also an Active variant that’s available on the midsize Custom vans—both the Transit Custom (cargo) and Tourneo Custom (passenger). It carries on the Active look, as seen on the Focus Active overseas—a crossover-inspired version of the Focus hatchback with some body cladding and a mesh-like grille. That’s pretty much the formula on the Custom vans, too, which include some unique 17-inch alloy wheels and standard roof rails. A limited-slip differential is an extra-cost option.

The Trail grille isn’t going to transform the British Transit into a desert whoop-rocking all-terrain monster like the F-150 Raptor, but who cares? It’s neat, it’s different, and it could be the face of your next van. Sadly, a Ford spokesperson confirmed to us that there are no plans to sell the Trail grille in the U.S.

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