The Volkswagen brand has given its sixth generation of the legendary Transporter a slight rejuvenation and is currently offering its customers a car with the designation 6.1.
Of course, this modernization affected all the specifications that this model has been offering for a long time. It is therefore available in the Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan or Californie versions.
We currently received a somewhat more "popular" version for the editorial test, it was a classic Transporter Kombi, which had a 110 kW diesel engine, a six-speed manual, front-axle drive only, an eight-seater layout and a long wheelbase.
Exterior – modernization of mainly the front part
The exterior concept of this model has always had simple and clean lines, which were clearly justified in the very practicality and purposefulness of this car. Version 6.1 continues this established trend successfully.
The current modernization of the external appearance is best recognized in the front part, which, compared to the original sixth generation, does not have such a "cool" impression. The front lamps now have narrower and more elongated proportions and extend to the model designation on the fenders of the car itself. The headlights are also newly, in their lower part, elegantly connected by a chrome line. The newly shaped front lamps subsequently also made their mark on the new treatment of the front mask. The front bumper also received a new structure.
The side profile of the car does not come with anything distinctive and innovative. The car gets pronounced elongated proportions thanks to the variant with a longer wheelbase. The sliding side doors on both sides of the car are practical and very useful.
The modernization of the sixth generation, in terms of external design, was successful. Its scope is by no means large, but it has brought considerable refreshment to this car.
Furthermore, we must not forget the option of choosing a two-tone version of the car's body, which offers it a large dose of playfulness and possible individualization.
Interior – the basic version emphasizes practicality
The most changes of version 6.1 can be noticed in the interior of the car itself, mainly in the instrument panel. It not only received a different layout, it can now also offer a fully digital digital cockpit instrument panel with a diagonal of up to 10.25 inches.
The classic analog instruments that our car had were also given new, modified graphics. Another novelty is infotainment, the 6.1 version can be equipped with the Discover Pro navigation system with a 9.2-inch wide display, the Multivan 6.1 version is equipped as standard with the innovative We Connect online functions.
The ergonomics of the interior are still at a very good level. The position and tilt of the steering wheel, in the context of the deployment of the shift lever itself in the dashboard, work excellently. The Transporter continues to drive well, and to the good view from the car, let's add feelings reminiscent of driving a passenger car.
The original sleek dashboard got sharper features. However, it still has a large amount of storage space, including drink holders in its upper part.
The Transporter Kombi version is primarily designed to "transport" people or cargo, so don't expect any pampering from it. And although the interior is very pleasant at first glance, you will recognize its practicality immediately upon first physical contact with it.
The tested long wheelbase brings with it the expected positives in the interior. The car had a pair of sliding side doors, as well as a pair of folding outer seats of the second row. Getting into the third row was therefore very comfortable. The second row is a trio of separate removable seats with folding backrests. The third row consisted of a separate, again removable bench with a folding backrest.
The voluminous luggage compartment had a purely practical pair on the side of the opening door.
Engine and ride
The modernized Transporter (Caravelle, Multivan and Californie) is currently only available with diesel engines. It is a turbocharged 2.0 TDi, which has outputs of 81,110 and 146 kW.
The announced engines also work with either a five- or six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG automatic. The car is available with drive only on the front or both axles (4MOTION).
The car I tested had a medium-powered 110 kW engine, which worked with a six-speed manual and drove only the front axle. The motorization itself should be praised for its very refined operation, which is unfortunately quite noticeable in the cabin thanks to the weaker sound insulation of the tested version. Fortunately, thanks to her refinement, this sound manifestation is listenable.
The weakest feature of this engine is its turbocharging, which comes with a slight delay and a more vigorous effect. In terms of power, 110 kW and 340 Nm of torque are sufficient for this car, all with a reasonable average consumption of under eight liters of diesel.
The six-speed manual is ideally graded and the engine revs to around 2,000 revs at 130 on the highway and in sixth gear. However, the scenery of the shift lever itself is very pleasant, it has short and precise shifting paths, and in the context of the already mentioned excellent ergonomics, shifting with this manual is a real pleasure.
The steering of the modernized version 6.1 has undergone a significant change, electromechanical steering is newly installed in the car, the concept of which also entails the presence of many assistance systems, such as lane keeping assistant or parking assistant.
In terms of chassis, the car is very comfortable and, together with excellent ergonomics and a powerful engine, it successfully makes you forget how big a car you are actually driving.
In conclusion
Volkswagen has always paid very well for its "tee" and the same is true of the current modernized version. The basic "glass" Transporter Kombi with the weakest 81 kW diesel, manual six-speed gearbox and front-axle drive only starts at CZK 767,449 including VAT. We tested the specification, i.e. the Transporter Kombi with a more powerful 110 kW diesel engine, six-speed manual, front-axle drive only and a long wheelbase, so you can get it from CZK 860,432 including VAT within the promotional price. The basic Caravelle 6.1 starts at CZK 854,151, the Multivan 6.1 at CZK 871,032, and the top version California 6.1 starts at CZK 1,486,232 including VAT.
The modernized sixth generation has therefore become slightly younger in appearance and somewhat more serious in expression, and in the interior it now offers a virtual cockpit, new infotainment, or a number of new driving assistants. However, it is still a car that is a premium in its class thanks to excellent driving characteristics, driving comfort or a spacious and ergonomically functioning interior.
Source: Author's text
Image source: Author's own photos
