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Volkswagen Transporter
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Everyone’s crazy about VW’s sharp new van
A spot of retro-chic livery and great driver appeal help make Volkswagen’s Transporter 6.1 stand out from the crowd, says Andrew Walker
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has given its Transporter van a major facelift for 2020, with the new Transporter ‘6.1’ featuring a sharper exterior, a car-like cabin, improvements to connectivity and better passenger safety.
The model range is down to just three models: Startline, Highline and Sportline.
The Startline and Highline models are both available in T28, T30 and T32 versions, in both SWB or LWB. There’s also an entry level SWB only T26 Startline. All are powered by a 2.0-litre TDI engine, badged 90, 100 or 150 PS. If you choose a Highline version, there’s also the option of a 2.0-litre 199 PS TDI, version with a standard seven-speed DSG gearbox. And, if you live or work in a remote region, 4MOTION 4WD is also offered on certain 150 and 199 PS models.
The new Transporter also features a new electro-mechanical power steering system, which has enabled VW to fit a number of new standard safety and assistance features, including driving steering recommendation and crosswind assist, as well as offering the options of park assist, lane assist, side protection, trailer assist, rear traffic alert and traffic sign recognition.
Transporter 6.1 also offers an all-new infotainment systems, with SatNav Discover Pro plus. App Connect also now comes as standard to allow screen mirroring of mobile phones and access to certain apps while on the move. Wireless App-Connect, which isn’t offered on many cars currently, is now available as an option for the first time.
To keep track of your vehicle, its mileage and your drivers, all T6.1 models also feature an integrated SIM card (eSIM), which opens up a new range of online-based functions and services via We Connect – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ connectivity solution – including eCall, breakdown call, vehicle health report and driving data plus parking position.
There are some new practical touches, including a 230v power socket built into the driver’s seat, a lockable box inside the dual passenger bench and a new load-through system that uses space under the dual passenger bench to accommodate longer loads. This increases maximum cargo length from 2,450mm to 2,800mm in SWB Transporters and from 2,900mm to 3,300mm in LWB Transporters.
Prices for the new panel van start from £21,635 (excl VAT and OTR) for the entry-level T26 Startline 90 PS SWB, rising to £36,915 for the T32 Highline LWB with 199 PS 7-speed DSG and 4MOTION four-wheel drive.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles invited us along to a range driving day, where we got to try out several of the most likely best selling versions in the beautiful setting of Hampton Manor, just outside Birmingham.
First up was the likely best seller, the T28 SWB Highline 2.0 TDI 110PS 5-speed manual,
which costs from £26,125 ex vat, in Copper Bronze Metallic. This version comes with a top speed of 103mph, a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds, CO 2 emissions of 185-167g/km and a WLTP combined full consumption of 37.7mpg.
There’s no mistaking this model’s heritage. There’s a new front end and the grilles, which previously were separated, have been closed slightly to create one very large air intake, which makes the van look wider. There’s also a double chrome bar, which runs across the front of the van and fits neatly into the new LED daytime running lights and narrower headlights. The rear end also features a new design of LED taillights. Regardless of these changes, it still looks reassuringly like a Transporter.
Open the driver’s door and climb into what is the nicest interior of its class. As the owner of a Volkswagen T-Roc, many of the fittings are very familiar and it’s the most car-like van dash yet.
This isn’t surprising when you realise that the T6.1 is only the second VW model to get the firm’s new MIB3 infotainment system, which is available with an 8.0” or 9.2” touchscreen display and redesigned menu system, plus the option of apps for your smartphone. The fit, finish and quality, I should add, are exceptional.
Practicality has also been enhanced. There are two dash top storage spaces, one with a 12v socket, another in front of the passenger bench and a smaller one in the centre middle. Here you’ll also find two USB sockets and another 12v socket. Both door pockets are huge, with a useful smaller storage area higher up, one on each door, which are easy to reach.
Only the glove box disappoints, being too small for much at all.
The heating controls are in the middle of the dash above the manual gear stick. The steering wheel controls enable you to control the cruise control function, infotainment system and car settings. Everything is easy to reach from the driver’s seat and we took the opportunity to connect our iPhone to Apple CarPlay, for hands-free motoring, which was seamless.
Standard equipment on the Startline and Highline includes Composition Colour DAB+ radio system with 6.5” touch-screen, four speakers, SD card slot, Bluetooth hands-free and 2 USB interfaces, Volkswagen AppConnect, Crosswind Assist, electric windows, electrically heated adjustable door mirrors, steering, height and longitudinally adjustable steering column and a leather multi-function steering wheel. ESC with brake assist, ABS, ASR, EDS and Hill Start Assist are also standard.
Highline adds Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with speed limiter, an anti-theft alarm system with interior monitoring in cab, backup horn and towing protection, automatic headlights, automatic windscreen wipers with rain sensor, body-coloured door mirror housings, door handles and bumpers, climatic air con, a heated front windscreen and front and rear parking sensors.
As with VW cars, the seats are nice and supportive and it’s easy to get comfortable. We began our drive on some narrow country lanes and the Transporter really does drive like an SUV. It’s supremely comfortable, soaking up the bumps in the road and handling the twisting road with aplomb. The rear load space contained 360kg of gravel on a pallet to give us an idea of how the Transporter works with a decent load in the back.
All around vision in the cab is enhanced by the large wing mirrors and the driving position gives you a good view of the road ahead. On some larger roads and a dual carriageway with a 50 mph speed limit, the T6.1 doesn’t hang around, making light work of slow moving traffic and never feels underpowered. The five-speed manual gear change is smooth, aided by the light clutch and the van felt stable and balanced on the road. Payload for this version is 886kg. On our circular test route we averaged 36.7 mpg.
Next up was the T32 SWB Highline 2.0 TDI 150PS 7-speed DSG model which costs from £31,125 ex vat. While the additional power was welcome – this van will hit 62 mph in just seven seconds – it too came with a 360kg load of cement in the back and didn’t feel as poised on the road as the manual version. In addition, riding on its alloy wheels, it didn’t handle the road surface as well, either, allowing more vibration into the cabin. The larger payload of 1217kg, does make this version a more practical proposition.
Fuel consumption on the WLTP cycle is a claimed 34.4 mpg, with our return of 34mpg almost exactly the same. As with the manual Highline, the addition of the Discover Media 8” SatNav with We Connect Plus for one year, improve the cabin experience, but will set you back an additional £1,320.
Finally, we took the T28 SWB Startline 2.0 TDI 90PS 5spd manual out for a spin, covering an identical route and distance as to our first two drives. Costing from £22,105 ex vat, this version is more basic but still offers customers a lot of bang for their buck. The model was enhanced by the addition of the Discover Media 8” SatNav with We Connect Plus for 1 year, as well as Adaptive Cruise Control for £414. Extra cost options aren’t always buyers’ priorities but we’d add both if we were buying one.
Again, the rear load space contained a 360kg load, this time of sand. With everything in place the actual payload is 913kg and this model was noticeably slower, taking 12.2 seconds to reach 62mph, with a top speed of 94mph. On its steel wheels it rode well and we managed 38.9 mpg on our test route, almost identical to the VW claimed WLTP figure of 39.2 mpg. I personally preferred the no cost extra colour of Ascot Grey that this van came in, a putty-like off white, which with its steel wheels made this version, looks-wise anyway, like a classic Transporter of yesteryear.
In conclusion, I think that Volkswagen is right: the 110PS version will be the biggest seller, in all probability in Highline spec and as a T28. For those of you spending long hours on the motorway, pay extra for the Discover Media infotainment system and add Adaptive Cruise Control as well. If you’re just driving locally, then the standard spec, even on Startline models, is really very impressive. Only warning is that the price can start to get high if you add lots of extras.
