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olkswagen is looking to flex its muscle in the big-selling
2.5-3.5t light-commercial van and cab chassis segment
with the launch of the new T6 Transporter range which
brings sharper looks, better economy, improved driver-assist
safety systems and other advanced technology.
While an entry-level TDI250 Runner variant is anticipated
soon, the all-diesel T6 has reached showrooms with no
fewer than 18 variants across two EA288-series engine
specs (TDI340 and TDI400), six-speed manual and seven-
speed DSG automatic transmissions, 4x2 (FWD) and 4x4
(4Motion) drivelines, two wheelbase lengths (3,000mm SWB
and 3,400mm LWB), three van roof heights (regular, medium
and high), standard two-seat single and five-seat Crewvan
cabins and a handful of cab-chassis variants in both single
and dual cab.
Both the 340 and 400 engines are familiar 2.0L direct-
injection four-cylinder units now with VW’s ‘BlueMotion’
technology that includes a fuel-saving automatic engine
idle-stop function. The base engine delivers 103kW of power
at 3,500rpm and 340Nm of torque from 1,750-2,500rpm,
and the higher-output unit musters 132kW at 4,000rpm and
400Nm from 1,500-2,000rpm.
Fuel consumption on the official combined cycle is rated
as low as 7.2Ls per 100km, up to 8.3L/100km.
As seen in VW’s redesigned Caddy compact van, side/head-
protecting airbags are now fitted for the driver and
front passenger, and new active safety equipment such as
a driver fatigue alert and multi-collision braking system
have made the cut, joining a long list of features already
standard such as electronic traction and stability control,
ABS brakes, brake assist, hill-start assist and reverse
parking sensors.
The cabin has come in for a comprehensive overhaul,
with new materials, an improved layout, more storage
facilities and a fully redesigned dashboard housing the
car-maker’s latest 5.0” high-resolution multimedia touch
screen display (which can upgrade to 6.3”) and related app
connectivity. This marries with a new-generation audio
system with four speakers, radio, MP3- and WMA-compatible
CD drive, SD card slot, aux-in interface, USB port and
Bluetooth phone and audio streaming capability.
All vans are fitted with cruise control, air-conditioning,
remote central locking, electric windows/mirrors, fully
adjustable multi-function steering wheel and height-
adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support.
Exterior features include daytime running lights, a left-
hand side sliding door (Crewvan has two), lifting rear tailgate
with window and wiper/washer, and 16-inch or 17-inch steel
wheels with a full-size spare.
GVM is 3,000kg across the T6 range, while unladen mass
on the standard-roof vans varies from 1,764kg to 1,986kg
(cab chassis: 1,584-1,828kg), depending on the variant.
Payloads range between one and two tonnes, while the vans
have a maximum load compartment volume of between 5.8
and 9.3 cubic metres, again depending on the roof height
and wheelbase.
Pricing starts from $36,990 plus on-road costs for the
TDI340 SWB, topping out at $49,090 for the TDI400 LWB
4Motion, while cab chassis T6s start at $44,690 for the
TDI340 LWB Single Cab and climb to $48,790 for the TDI400
LWB Dual Cab 4Motion.
Volkswagon
www.volkswagen.com.auVOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER
VW AMAROK RECALL
Volkswagen Group Australia has begun a voluntary recall
program to fix vehicles – starting with the Amarok utility –
caught up in the global diesel emissions-defeat scandal that
emerged last year.
Vehicles were found to have been fitted with a software
device that only activates full emissions controls when under
test conditions, allowing emissions up to 40 times higher
during normal driving.
Affected owners will be notified by the company, which said
the software upgrade will be free of charge, take less than 30
minutes to complete and will not affect vehicle performance,
torque, fuel consumption or engine acoustics.