New Volkswagen T-series offers practicality and style

The newly launched T-series is the sixth generation of the highly successful “VW bus”, also known as the VW Kombi. The T5 sold about 2 million units (over 23 400 sold in South Africa) around the world in eleven years. Since the first model was introduced 65 years ago, almost 12 million vehicles have been sold around the world. In South Africa, around 280 000 units were sold since the first Type 2 rolled off the assembly line at the Uitenhage plant in 1955. The production of the T-Series (in South Africa) came to an end in 2002.

If you plan on acquiring this super-practical vehicle anytime soon, the range of engines, derivatives and transmissions offered, is broader than ever. Equipment levels are higher, and you’ll be able to choose between five or six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG transmissions, as well as short and long-wheelbase derivatives. Safety features and driving dynamics have been improved, and there are more comfort and convenience features than ever before.

The sixth-generation model’s front end has been redesigned to look sharper and more precise, with continuous lines that flow from the front to the back. The interior has also been extensively updated to look more luxurious, with full integration of new touchscreen infotainment systems that offer Bluetooth and audio streaming. Other significant changes include new steering wheels and additional redesigned storage areas for all your odds and ends.

Decisions, decisions…

Once you’ve decided what it is you want your T-series to do, you can choose from a  from a simple single cab Pick Up to the range-topping Caravelle:

The Transporter Pick Up is offered as a single cab or double cab with a long wheelbase.
The Transporter Panel Van seats up to three people and is available with a short or long wheel- base.
The Transporter Crew Bus is the most customisable model of the new T-Series range as it offers the buyer every available engine option, gearbox as well as wheelbase (short or long) in the range.
The Kombi seats up to eight persons and is available as short wheel or long wheelbase.
The flagship model is the Caravelle, which seats seven people and incorporates 360° swivelling and folding seats on the first rear row and a newly designed three-seat rear bench.

Engines

All engines remain unchanged from the previous model. The line-up comprises 2.0 TDI and 2.0 BiTDI engines with 75kW to 132kW power outputs.

The Transporter Pick Up and Panel Van are offered with 75 kW and 132k W engines.
The Transporter Crew Bus is available with an option of 75kW, 103 kW and 132kW engines.
 The Kombi comes with the choice of engines with the power output of 75kW and 103kW.
The Caravelle is only offered with a 132kW engine.

Transmissions

The 75kW engine is fitted with a five-speed manual transmission as standard. The 103kW is equipped with either  a 6-speed manual gearbox or 7-speed DSG gearbox. The Caravelle only comes with 7-speed DSG. Customers requiring four-wheel drive can choose Volkswagen’s 4MOTION system.

A T6 for every situation

The T-Series model range is engineered to be as attractive to commercial customers as it is to private owners:

For commercial customers, the Transporter Pick Up, Panel Van and Crew Bus come standard with a host of safety and convenience features such as ABS, ESP, Hill Hold Control, Electric Windows (optional with the Pick Up), Composition Audio Radio with LCD screen, Bluetooth and a Climatic manual air-conditioning system.
Private customers buying the Kombi and Caravelle models get additional standard features such as electrically adjustable side mirrors, body coloured bumpers and a height-adjustable driver seat. The Kombi and Caravelle variants are available in Trendline, Comfortline and Highline guise.

Safety and technology

The T6 is equipped with a whole raft of new safety systems. In addition to existing features such as Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), driver and passenger front airbags and electric seat belt tensioners, every new T6 gets the Multi-Collision Braking System as standard. It automatically brakes the T6 after an accident to reduce the risk or severity of a secondary collision.

The Kombi Comfortline and Caravelle are fitted with Fatigue Detection which monitors driving behaviour and encourages a tired driver to take a break. It only works at speeds above 65km/h.

Available as an option on the Kombi Trendline and standard on Kombi Comfortline and Caravelle variants, are fog lights with integrated cornering lights, illuminating curves and corners in the road.

A rear-view camera (optional) uses a wide-angle camera to display a view of the area behind the T6 on the infotainment screen.

Every derivative is equipped with touchscreen infotainment as standard The new generation systems come in three spec levels and two different display sizes: 5 and 6.33-inches. The Caravelle Highline is offered with voice-activated Discover Media navigation as standard.

Options

The optional features for the Transporter derivatives include: 16 and 17-inch alloy wheels; radio systems; towbar; comfort package (cruise control and fog lamps); increased GVM from 2.8t to 3.0t; parking distance control (front and rear); rough road suspension and shock absorption rear wing doors with heated windows; and a medium-high roof.

The optional features offered with Kombi are 16 and 17-inch alloy wheels; parking distance control with rear view camera; ‘Discover Media’ Navigation system; tow bar (only available with Kombi Comfortline); LED headlights and taillights; multifunction display and leather steering with rest assist (Fatigue Detection); as well as the light and sight package (coming/leaving home function, automatic headlamp activation, rain sensor).

For Caravelle, the optional features include ‘Alcantara leather’ seats; dark tinted glass all round; 32-litre cooling/warming box; heritage dual colour paint and sunroof.

Pricing (VAT and emissions tax included – only on passenger derivatives)

Transporter Pick-Up  

2.0 TDI Single Cab Pick Up LWB 75kW	R293 900
2.0 TDI Double Cab Pick Up LWB 75kW	R332 800
2.0 BiTDI Double Cab Pick Up LWB 132kW	R409 800

  
Transporter Panel Van 

2.0 TDI Panel Van SWB 75kW	R362 600
2.0 TDI Panel Van LWB 75kW	R370 600
2.0 TDI Sport Van SWB DSG 103kW	R432 600

            
Transporter Crew Bus 

2.0 TDI Crew Bus SWB 75kW	R421 100
2.0 TDI Crew Bus LWB 75kW	R429 100
2.0 TDI Crew Bus LWB DSG 103kW	R464 400
2.0 BiTDI Crew Bus SWB DSG 132kW	R489 400
2.0 BiTDI Crew Bus SWB 4MOTION DSG 132kW	R519 900
2.0 BiTDI Crew Bus LWB 4MOTION DSG 132kW	R527 900

Kombi  

2.0 TDI Kombi Trendline 75kW	R481 800
2.0 TDI Kombi Trendline DSG 103kW	R513 300
2.0 TDI Kombi Comfortline 103kW	R566 400
2.0 TDI Kombi Comfortline DSG 103kW	R583 900
2.0 TDI Kombi Comfortline LWB DSG 103kW	R591 900

Caravelle 

2.0 BiTDI Caravelle Comfortline DSG 132kW	R738 300
2.0 BiTDI Caravelle Comfortline 4MOTION DSG 132kW	R770 800
2.0 BiTDI Caravelle Highline DSG 132kW	R816 300
2.0 BiTDI Caravelle Highline 4MOTION DSG 132kW	R848 800

               
Service and warranty

Kombi and Caravelle models come standard with a 3 year/120 000 km manufacturer warranty and 5 year/60 000 km Automotion Maintenance Plan.

Transporter models are offered with a standard 2 year/unlimited km manufacturer warranty and 3 year/60 000 km Automotion Maintenance Plan.

All models have a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty and 15 000 km service intervals.