Ford turns electric Transit van into a mobile sauna
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It's the question nobody has ever asked: can you turn a Ford Transit into a sauna on wheels? But the US maker has done just that, creating a one-off vehicle that's currently touring Britain.
The Sauna Van is said to have been built to showcase the company's 'commitment to innovation and its understanding of the evolving needs of its customers'. Just who asked for a commercial vehicle to strip down and perspire in, we're not entirely sure.
Ford states that the unique motor - made by its Ford Pro Special Vehicle Team - can cater to those partaking in wild swimming, an increasingly popular trend for fitness fanatics taking to beaches, lakes and rivers, typically in bracing British conditions. And it's already made its first UK appearance.
'Responding to the growing trend of combining invigorating cold-water swims with the revitalising warmth of a sauna, Ford Pro's Special Vehicle Team – the brains behind bespoke vehicle conversions – has transformed an all-electric E-Transit panel van into a fully functional, mobile sauna,' the car company says.
The 'E-Sauna' is powered by the E-Transit's built-in Pro Power Onboard system, meaning it can be deployed virtually anywhere without the need for external power hook-ups. It even comes with Ford-branded gowns and slippers.
The bodywork of the battery-powered van has also been given a special touch - a daring paint scheme mirroring the cedar-clad interior. Despite the masses of wood, additions of internal doors and the systems to turn the vehicle into a rolling sweat mobile likely to have added plenty of bulk, Ford claims it retains the standard E-Transit's 196 mile range.
It says this is enough to make a return trip from the UK's furthest point from the sea – Coton in the Elms in Derbyshire, a mere 70 miles to the coast – without needing a recharge. The E-Transit Sauna Van has already been 'making waves' at Longside Lake in Surrey, where wild swimming enthusiasts have been putting it through its paces.
Georgia Milgrave, a wild swimmer and weightlifter, praised the van's potential, saying: 'Sometimes you go somewhere and it would be really nice to have that paired up with it. The mobile element would be really helpful.' Triathlon enthusiast Alison Beck, added: 'I suffered a knee injury, but after a session in the cold water and the sauna I saw an immediate improvement.
'You can see significant benefits as well to your blood pressure, cardiovascular system, and general health and wellbeing.' The company said: 'Ford Pro's E-Transit Sauna Van is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and its understanding of the evolving needs of its customers.
'By combining the practicality of the E-Transit with the growing popularity of wild swimming and sauna culture, Ford Pro has created a truly unique and desirable vehicle. 'So, if you're ready for a cool dip and the opportunity to warm up afterwards, keep your eyes peeled. 'The Ford E-Transit Sauna Van will be available at various locations around the UK this spring.'
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