2016 Ford M-Sport Transit Custom | Limited Edition R181 | #1 of 3 | For Sale at Automotive Addiction

We at Automotive Addiction are delighted to offer this unique M-Sport R181 Transit Custom dual-sliding door panel van; incredibly this is build-number #1 of only 3 made in this 2016 specification. It’s a hand-finished, highly collectible, factory-approved special edition made in co-operation with Malcolm Wilson’s M-Sport race team in 2016. Just like the Ford Supervans before it, this Transit draws inspiration from a furiously fast Ford racing car. In this case, the 2016 Fiesta WRC, also built by M-Sport.
Looking at this R181, it will come as no surprise that M-Sport have had their hands in factory-level motorsport for over 30 years. Everything from Le Mans Prototypes, through GT3s, to the fire breathing factory Ford rally cars. And that’s easy to see reflected in the fit, finish and quality of this incredible van.
The superb body kit includes a massive front air-dam and splitter assembly, with clear overtones of WRC aggression. Deep side skirts and custom arches lead your eyes around to the rear diffuser and wing, complimenting the dual exhaust exit exhaust of the remapped 2.2ltr Duratorq TDCi. The carbon-fibre badging is also hard to miss.
Sitting low on its Eibach springs, with meaty Michelin Pilot SuperSport tyres on special 20-inch O.Z. wheels, this 181-horsepower Transit looks like no other van on the road. It has a clear and distinctive link to the world of motorsports, even though it’s arguably the most practical vehicle in our showroom.
In fact, it offers you 181 brake-horsepower, and 429 Newton-metres of torque, through a six-speed manual shifter located directly next to the M-Sport, blue-stitched, sports steering wheel. This 3-seater van also benefits from the Extended M-Sport Interior Styling Package, which includes the black Nappa Leather seats with blue top-stitching to match the steering wheel, white sports dials, a limited edition build plaque, and even limited edition mats.
The equipment specification of the van is everything you would expect from such a machine, and the interior condition is fantastic. Dual sliding doors, with LED load area and kerbside lighting. A 230v power kit, with twin batteries, rear view camera, and even a Ford Pass Connect compatible head-unit with GPS navigation.
The vehicle enjoyed an extensive Paint Protection Film application from brand new, which covered the entire front-end, as well as the badges at the rear. Before it leaves our showroom, it will also be subject to a £700 multi-stage paint correction treatment in our exclusive detailing studio. There aren’t many Transit Customs treated with such respect, but this example deserves it.
We first handled the sale of this van back in 2018, when it had completed only 215 miles from new. Now we offer it to the next lucky owner with only 3800 miles on the M-sport branded white clocks. Our words can’t do this machine justice, and whether the new owner chooses to store it, or use it for work or pleasure, we know they’re going to be delighted. We could easily see this vehicle parked outside a kart track, MTB trail, pit-lane or even in the collection of a fast Ford enthusiast.Back in 2016, Parkers tested an earlier, lower power, longer wheelbase version,and said this: “This is a nicely judged set of upgrades for a van that is already amongst the very best in its class - and given the Transit Custom is also the best-selling LCV in the UK, we’ve no doubt Van-Sport will continue to find plenty of willing customers for its M-Sport conversions.”
The lustre of its Frozen White Metallic Paintwork has been amplified after our 40-Hour Detailing Process which includes a Multi-Stage Machine Paintwork Correction to all areas; we photograph our cars under 3,000 Watt of LED Light to showcase the quality of our Vehicle Preparation which is truly Market Leading.
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