Ford has taken home a double win in the annual Arctic Van Test.

Ford has secured an impressive feat in becoming the first vehicle manufacturer to win in two categories in the same year at the Arctic Van Test.

Both the new Ford Transit and Ford Transit Connect were head and shoulders above the competition at this year’s punishing five-day challenge, which saw entrants take on a demanding 700-mile endurance race across the frozen fields of Finland.

With difficult freezing starts, harsh winter conditions to contend with and plenty of snow and ice, the driving was tough, with temperatures dropping as low as minus-50 degrees Celsius.

It was a year to remember for Ford though, as both of its entrants in 2014 performed admirably and beyond expectations, securing the company the prestigious accolade of taking home two trophies in the same year – the first time this has happened in the event’s 23-year history.

Paul Randle, vehicle line director for global commercial vehicles at Ford of Europe, commented: “Every one of our new Ford Transits is tested in the world’s toughest climates and driving conditions long before launch, so they are prepared for just this kind of challenge.”

Both of the models performed excellently to take home top awards in each of their classes, with the event taking into account a range of issues including handling in adverse conditions, fuel economy, reliability, load carrying and more.

Overall, the Transit was rated joint top or outright winner in nine out of 13 categories, while the smaller Connect took home a similar haul of seven category victories.

Heikki Laurell of Auto Tekniikka ja Kuljetus magazine in Finland, which organises the annual event, stated: “The Ford vans were clear winners in very slippery conditions – a great advantage when frozen roads can be found anywhere, and not just found on the test track.

“Our tests push vans to the limit and can be quite a shock if you are not used to a Scandinavian winter.”

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