Ford Transit Connect....car-derived-van?

[Eighteeteewhy]

My usual works vehicle is a Transit, but today I've had a Transit Connect. Do the same rules apply i.e 60mph on duel carriageways or are they classed as cars?
Thanks

@

[_Batty_]

Classed as cars. Actually used in the highway code as the definitive size. Anything larger is a van.

[Johnnytheboy]

Are you sure about that?

[shambolic]

Defo not a car derived van so slower limits apply. This is a definate so be careful

[Eighteeteewhy]

[AAGR]

Anorak's corner here - technologically, the Transit Connect is not derived from any Ford car - except, of course, that the engine/transmission assembly is a corporate unit. Way back - way back - there was going to be a car/MPV/SUV derivative, but that was cancelled at the design stage.

[YesItsAVW]

Connects pay car-derived tolls on the M6T and Dartford Tunnel, or did whilst I was running one.

[Johnnytheboy]

I thought it was only classed as car derived if it was shaped like a car, e.g Fiesta van.

[ralphrj]

Even if the Transit Connect were based on a car chassis it still would not qualify as a "car derived van" as the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) exceeds 2 tonnes.

[davepoth]

Johnnytheboy said:

I thought it was only classed as car derived if it was shaped like a car, e.g Fiesta van.

It's to do with the front crash structure AIUI - a CDV will allegedly have the front crash structure from a car so is safer. Plainly nobody at VOSA has ever had a VW Type 2 Camper, which is a car derived van, whilst having the front crash structure of a cardboard box.

[Six Fiend]

Having run one as a courier I can happily agree it has to abide by lower limits.

Handles like a Focus though

[barky]

seems there are very few car derived vans these days CLICK

[Six Fiend]

barky said:

seems there very few car derived vans CLICK

That's VAT Input tax and nothing to do with speed limits

You need this link:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Roa...

[davepoth]

They're very easy to get in Ireland though - anything without glass in the back is a van, and gets taxed a lot less. So a lot of people have "vans".

[Himself]

That's for taxation purposes, speed limits are covered by different rules.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/topics/road-safety/speed-man...

[jason s4]

I guess the Astravan, Corsavan and Fiesta van etc are exactly that.

Anything else is, well, a van!

[Eighteeteewhy]

Well I'm more confused than when I started

I think its best sticking to the lower limits, I'm used to it, like I said I usually drive a normal Transit. Another thing I think the clue is in the name Transit Connect not Focus/Fiesta Connect.

Cheers anyway peeps

[supersingle]

The low limits for vans used to drive me mad. Try driving the length of the A14 at 60mph, BORING!

I ended up changing to a smaller car derived van and being more disciplined about what I cart about.

The rules are nuts though. A Vito van has to abide by the lower limits whereas a Vito MPV full of kids gets normal limits.

Edit: Connect definitely gets lower limits.

[v8will]

Check the GVW, I know someone who recieved points for doing 60mph on an A road, his VW Caddy is only 50kg over the threshold.

[SC7]

That's a bit crap, and something I have to admit I didn't know despite having owned one for over 2 years. Ridiculous, really, when you consider they're smaller than many cars.

I thought they were derived from the Fusion.