In 65 years on the market, all five previous generations of the T series have sold around 12 million. The outgoing T5 in the Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan and California versions recorded a total of 2 million units sold. The newest sixth generation will want to build on these sales figures, while at the same time referring to its successful predecessor with, for example, a unique retro edition.
A person familiar with the previous T5 will quickly be at home in the case of the T6. The basic proportions remain the same, but mainly the details have changed. In the front part, there are completely new lights and a radiator grille , which is standard matte or glossy black with one or three chrome slats. Their number depends on the selected equipment. The only exception is the Highline grade, available for the first time in addition to the Multivan and for the Caravelle, with four chrome slats and also LED headlights instead of halogen ones. The fifth door has been modified with an integrated spoiler, a new license plate surround and a lighter construction. Similar to the front lights, the taillights can be fitted with LEDs in some versions. The paint palette includes up to 17 shades , if you want cast wheels, there are sizes from sixteen to eighteen inches to choose from.
The interior underwent a greater revolution, the shapes of which were first shown by last year's Tristar concept . The materials and workmanship are again a little closer to ordinary passenger Volkswagens, but while the utility models have an open box in front of the passenger, the passenger compartment is closed, and in the higher equipment lines, it is supplemented with colorful decorations. The manual or automatic transmission lever (in the personal version with a larger storage compartment next to it) remains comfortably at hand, and the touch control of the new multimedia system Composition Media, Discover Media or Discover Media Plus with a 6.33-inch screen is also within reach. Thanks to sensors, all you have to do is move your hand in front of the display and it will switch from basic mode to control mode.
Even with the transition to a new generation, the versatility of the available versions did not disappear, Transporter, Caravelle or Multivan, so Volkswagen offers them with a length of 4892 mm or 5292 mm, a wheelbase of 3000 mm or 3400 mm and a height of 1970 mm (Highline equipment 1950 mm), 2176 mm or 2476 mm. The ground clearance again depends on the version chosen, but the Multivan sits 20 mm closer to the road than the Transporter and the BlueMotion version even 40 mm closer to the road. The chassis received McPherson struts along with forged wishbones at the front and independent suspension at the rear, again with wishbones . Under the hood are exclusively two-liter four-cylinders with a stop/start system. In the gasoline version, they have 150 and 204 horses, the diesel TDIs have 84, 102, 150 and 204 horses, while in the last case the engine has a double turbocharger. Transmissions include manual five- and six-speed manuals, respectively a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic, and 4Motion all-wheel drive with the latest generation Haldex electro-hydraulic clutch will not be missing.
As in the fourth generation VW Caddy, the latest generation of safety assistants penetrated the T6, the most interesting of which is Front Assist. It monitors the situation in front of the vehicle and can brake it or stop it completely at a critical moment, while also giving the driver a visual and acoustic signal about impending danger . Front Assist also includes adaptive cruise control and city emergency braking. The Multivan Business has this entire package as standard equipment, other versions have it for an additional fee. Items for extra money are also Light Assist, which can dim the headlights thanks to the camera so as not to dazzle oncoming cars, monitoring the driver's vigilance, electronic voice recognition, electronic stabilization of the trailer and, for versions with all-wheel drive, hill-descent assistant. Automatic braking after an accident appears as standard equipment, thanks to which the car no longer moves in the event of an impact. In addition to the safety assistants, the new feature is the adaptive suspension , working in Normal, Comfort and Sport modes.
In the introduction, we talked about the unique retro edition, which is based on the Multivan Comfortline. Volkswagen refers to it as Generation SIX , and you can recognize it from the outside by the tinted windows, LED headlights at the front and rear, a chrome package and fog lights with cornering lights. For an additional fee, one of four two-tone combinations of the body with the same colored dashboard decor is available, or 18-inch wheels in a retro design and two different colors. Inside, two-tone Alcantara upholstery, contrast stitching on the leather steering wheel and gear lever head, standard Composition Media infotainment, two-zone Climatronic air conditioning and heated seats dominate. Electronic assistants include front and rear ParkPilot , Side Assist system with electrically folding mirrors and adaptive cruise control.
Prices on the German market should remain at the level of the predecessor or even move slightly below this limit, the cheapest Transporter 2.0 TDI (84 hp) starts at 23,035 euros (approx. 632,000 crowns) without tax. Multivan Conceptline with the same engine, only fulfilling Euro 6, starts at 29,952 euros (approx. 821,000 crowns) with tax. In the Czech Republic, the T6 will appear in the third quarter of this year.
Source: Volkswagen
