Just about everyone over the age of 21 in Australia has driven a Volkswagen at some time in their life, whether it is the incredibly long-lived Beetle, a Golf, or the trusty Kombi commercial vehicle and one of its many descendants.
With a tradition of constant improvement, both mechanically as well as in areas of safety technology, Volkswagen has followed this philosophy with a raft of upgrades that make the latest versions cleaner, safer and more environmentally friendly than the outgoing models.
Powerful choices
Operators now get the choice of three power ratings from the 2000cc diesel motor, with the 75 and 103kW versions using a single turbo, while the range-topping 132kW version uses twin turbochargers.
All engines now comply with Euro 5 emission regulations, throwing down the gauntlet to the other manufacturers that have yet to upgrade to the tougher exhaust standard.
The all-alloy engines share a common compression ratio of 16.5:1, making plenty of torque, with the base 75kW engine pushing out 250Nm of torque, while its more powerful brethren make 340Nm (103kW) or 400Nm from the 132kW twin-turbo version.
At the same time as increasing th specific power outputs of the engine range, to make them more efficient, Volkswagen engineers have also made the engines quieter than their predecessors, with the twin-turbo 132kW version now 4Dba quieter at 70Dba, while the 103kW has dropped 5Dba compared to the T5 model it replaces.
Putting all this power to the ground is a variety of transmissions, starting with a five-speed manual in the 75kW Transporter, while those buying the 103kWor 132kW versions get a choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG dual shift gearbox.
The new seven-speeder replaces the six-speed auto from the previous model, and also adds the strength of a computer-controlled clutch for rapid shifts, while maintaining the fuel economy advantages of a manual transmission.
Volkswagen claims the 132kW Transporter, fitted with the seven-speed overdrive unit can average as little as 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres in highway cycle driving, no mean feat for a van with a gross weight of 3000kg.
Although not a big-seller in Australia, Volkswagen has also introduced a special version of the 132kW model, which not only gets the option of a seven-speed gearbox but also a Haldex electronic all-wheel-drive system, rather than the previously offered mechanical version.
Known as 4Motion, the system uses ultra-high pressure oil, stored in a pressurised reservoir, to open and close the clutch plates and provide drive to the rear differential.
With 40 sensors providing constant information on wheelspin, throttle position, steering angle and engine speed, the Haldex system also functions as an additional form of anti-skid, by detecting and correcting understeer even before it has pushed the van wide.
Operators who choose the 4Motion version also have the opportunity to add a ‘Rough Road’ package, which provides a boost in suspension ride height, to help clear any obstacles you might find in off-highway operations.
Although the Haldex unit is not the same as a dedicated 4-wheel-drive system, it does allow the vehicle to be driven in rougher or slipperier terrain than normal, and as such is good as a service vehicle, particularly in cab-chassis form, for off-road operations such as logging.
Keeping things right side up
In addition to fuel economy, one of the traditional strengths of European commercial vehicles is the ability to stop, which adds to their reputation for safety, and the new versions are no different, with even the basic 75kW Transporter using 308mm diameter front disc brakes, while the rear discs are nearly as large at 294mm diameter, providing plenty of bite when the driver goes for the brake pedal.
On the more powerful version, Volkswagen has upped the braking ante even further, fitting race-car sized 340 mm fronts, while all versions score the full suite of brake-related acronyms, starting with electronic stability program (ESP) and progressing through ABS, ASR, MSR, EDL and a hill holder function.
As well as all the electronics working away under the skin, the VW commercials do well on the safety front inside the vehicle, with goodies like driver and front passenger airbags and three point pre-tensioner seat belts as standard, while the safety conscious can add head and thorax airbags, so long as it is not a bench seat.
There are other pieces of optional equipment that can help keep the insurance bill at bay, including the new Side Assist system, on the short wheelbase versions, which uses a radar unit mounted in the passenger side door mirror to check the driver’s blind spot when the left indicator is activated, as well as a rear view camera, and Park Distance Control on the front and rear, which are available on all versions.
You want to put it where?
While fuel efficiency, environmental performance and occupant safety should be at the top of every list when shopping for a commercial vehicle, there is also the ability to carry a load from depot to destination, and this one area where Volkswagen is confident they have ‘something for everyone’.
In the case of the Transporter range, there are two wheelbases, a short measuring 3000mm, or the long wheelbase, which comes in at 3400mm, both of which can be ordered with standard 1410mm internal height, or medium height roof (1626mm), while the long wheelbase also comes in a high roof version, with a maximum height of 1940mm.
With the multiple body sizes on offer, operators can choose from internal volumes of 5.8 cubic metres for the shortie with a standard roofline, while the top end long wheelbase and high roof version offers nearly twice as much space with 9.3 cubic metres.
Interestingly, both the short wheelbase/medium roof and long wheelbase with standard roof both come in at the same figure of 6.7 cubic metres, however the difference in wheelbase allows for longer items to be carried in the bigger van.
Inside information
First Holden offered the Sandman, then Chrysler gave us the Drifter, ever since there has been a recognition that just because it is a work van, that does not mean it cannot be a nice place to spend your time, just ask a line haul truck driver.
In the case of the VW range, there are plenty of factory options that not make the vehicle a bit more special, but they also serve to enhance productivity.
A good example is the RNS510 audio system, which not only offers a 16cm screen built into the dash, but also contains a DVD player and a 30Gigabyte hard drive, which can store plenty of information, not just music, although there is an MP3 player and an auxiliary input, as well as a satellite navigation system and the ability to add a Bluetooth phone connection.
Other options in this area include a multi-function steering wheel, which controls many of the vehicle’s functions without the driver needing to take his or her hands off the wheel, as well as a central multi-function display in the dash which reports on the trip kilometres and average kilometres, trip time, average fuel consumption, actual fuel consumption and range.
There is also a storage compartment with two cup holders, pen holder and a flat writing surface, which folds down out of the middle of the bench seat, although you lose this if you specify the separate seats and airbag option.
The seats are finished in a cloth trim for longevity and comfort, while the thick floor mat is easy to clean when muddy boots climb in and out all day.
From a genuine work perspective, one of the best options to go for is the right hand side sliding door, which can even be ordered as a powered unit, same as the left hand door, or there is the choice of twin barn doors at the rear, rather than a tailgate, depending on the types of loads to be carried.
T5 – Judgement Day
With Euro 5 now standard, plus plenty of other good gear inside and out, the Volkswagen Commercial range is one that is hard to turn its back on, quite apart from the fact there is 60 years of continuous manufacturing and refining gone into the latest model.
Look for a full road test on the new Euro 5 range in an upcoming edition of ATN.
Volkswagen Commercial Range
Volkswagen Transporter Van
Volkswagen Caravelle Van
Volkswagen Transporter Dual Cab
Engine 2-litre turbo diesel, up to 132kW power, (twin turbo version)
Transmission: Choice of 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG sequential shift manual, computer controlled clutch
Choice of wheelbase and roof height, depending on application
Gross Vehicle Mass 3000kg
Gross Combination Mass 2000kg (braked trailer)