Recalling a one-off test example of the Ford Transit Connect, sent to me by Ford Motor Company a few years ago, I was gobsmacked by the performance of its full-house Ford Cosworth turbo engine and running gear. Created by means of a ‘Saturday Club’ by the firm’s technicians at Lommel, Belgium, it gave me a different perspective on light vans.

MS-RT, which uses styling and technology pioneered by Ford’s works rally team that is run by Malcolm Wilson, has revealed the first images, pricing and specification details of the new MS-RT Transit Connect, developed, designed and built in-house at its factory in Pontypool, South Wales. The new model complements the MS-RT Transit Custom, introduced last year to massive acclaim. The van features a styling kit designed and manufactured by the company at its Welsh factory. The conversion consists of a full MS-RT plastic injection-moulded body kit that includes an uniquely styled front bumper, grilles, front diffuser, side skirts, rear bumper, rear diffuser and spoiler.

In addition, it receives a quad-outlet, stainless steel, sports exhaust system, 18.0-inch diameter OZ Racing alloy wheels (like that one-off original), Michelin tyres, a carbon inlay sports steering wheel and a hand-made Nappa leather and suede interior. Customers will also be given an exclusive MS-RT ‘gift pack’, consisting of a special logoed bag containing products to help keep their cherished van in tip-top condition. The conversion has been designed to pass QVM approval with Ford, which is already a key feature of the MS-RT Transit Custom.

Priced from £23,995 with a six-speed manual gearbox, or £24,995 with automated-manual (Twin-Clutch) transmission (both pre-discount), it is set for a summer 2019 launch. MS-RT has also announced a limited run of 40 Launch Editions. Finished in Magnetic Grey, the Launch Edition will include upgraded alloy wheels as standard, along with a unique Launch Edition interior, sticker pack and ‘Limited Edition’ numbered plaque. They will be built during the summer for delivery to the first 40 customers in September 2019, with standard production vans available for registration from October. MS-RT is offering the Launch Edition for the same price as the standard van, which seems like a conspicuous bargain.

All MS-RT Transit Connects will come with a three-year, 100,000-mile warranty. A long-wheelbase version will join the range in 2020. They are all equipped with LED loadspace lighting, a premium infotainment pack (with sat-nav and a reversing camera), bi-xenon headlights and twin side loading doors. Options will include an upgrade to bronze alloy wheels, a Maxhaust tuned exhaust system, a rally sticker pack, black exhaust tips and a full carbon steering wheel option.

MS-RT founding director, Edward Davies, told us: “We’ve enjoyed unprecedented success with the MS-RT Transit Custom, with the order books completely full since launch. Our customers absolutely love their vans and the uniqueness of them, so we expect that the Connect will develop a similar following among those who want a commercial vehicle with genuine motorsport heritage, fantastic sports styling and a full manufacturer-backed warranty. We can’t wait to deliver the first Launch Edition models later this year.”