FUELLING DEBATE
The move away from diesel increasingly includes light commercial users but how does less than 30mpg sound to you? That’s what we achieved in a new Volkswagen Transporter T6. Mind you, it was the powered by a 198bhp engine that used to do such spirited service in the Golf GTI.
Our T32 Highline T32 LWB EU6 2.0 TSI 204PS was as impressive on the move as its model designation sounds and is the GTI of Transporters; no doubt that once the thrill of the performance and the lightening gear change of the sevenspeed DGG has waned, a better fuel economy is attainable plus there’s a lesser 148bhp tune if desired. Be in little doubt that the petrol picks are fliers and couple this with exemplary handling and some quick journey time can be rattled off safely.
The front-wheel drive Transporter has changed remarkably little since the T4 was launched in 1990. This was replaced by the similar-styled T5 of 2003 which was further revised in 2010, and now by the familiar looking T6.
Evolution rather than revolution it may be once again, but the transporter remains one of the very best mid-sized vans you can own, feeling and driving like a gigantic Golf and with similar build quality and finish. The cabin is very Vw-like, meaning it feels build to last, and is a very nice place to be and there’s no shortage of space, particularly as our test van( a passenger Kombi, incidentally) had a roomier pair of front seats as opposed to the tighter three a breast style; if you don’ t require a twin passenger seat don’t opt for one.
At the business end, the Transporter offers no novel touches, like some rivals, but what you have instead is very useable cargo area that’s well protected and has ample tie-down anchorage points accessed by a standard side door and either twin conventional doors or, as in our case, a tailgate. Three trim levels are offered; the Startline, the more upmarket Trendline (which we tested) and flagship Highline, which among many standard fittings includes a heated front screen, climate control and, most importantly, a Thatcham Category 1 alarm system.
Our work, rest and play Kombi comes in at around £32,000 but options such as a very good satnav and infotainment system (£1080) floor load bay covering (£180), heated front seats (£255) and highly useful front and rear parking sensors to protect that £600 metallic paintwork (£330) resulted in a nigh on 34 grand dual role van.
Obviously, the major decider is not whether you want a terrific T6 but the type of engine under your right foot. The VW’S delightful diesels will eke out an extra 10-15mpg over a petrol model, but, on the other hand, the latter range is cheaper to buy by around £1000 on average. It depends on how many miles you cover; if it’s less than 10,000 then a petrol Transporter makes some sense, especially as you won’t run into assorted DPF problems – both running or maintenance-wise – countering the higher running costs which the trade calculates at 6p per mile. In terms of depreciation, the diesel models, presently, hold their value better, but we can see the balance shifting over the years.
It’s a tough call to make without the aid of a crystal ball. Volkswagen is the only manufacturer to provide petrol power in this segment, which will win it customers for that reason alone – the fact that it’s a superb all rounder is more fuel for thought.