New Volkswagen T6 lands

Increased engine refinement and efficiency and a powerful new twin-turbo diesel engine headline Volkswagen’s T6 line-up, which also boasts the latest driver assistance systems, adaptive chassis control and upgraded multimedia systems.

The sixth-gen Volkswagen Kombi descendant includes Transporter, Multivan and Caravelle variants to suit a range of commercial and passenger car buyers.

The big wagons – and utilities – are built on a suspension of front struts and rear semi-trailing arms, while servo-assisted rack-and-pinion steering with 3.3-turns lock-to-lock contributes a relatively small turning circle – 11.8 metres for front-drive versions.

A new adaptive chassis control system is available, which uses electrically adjustable shock absorbers to offer normal, comfort and sports settings.

An optional sports chassis that lowers the body over revised rate coil springs and firmer suspension dampers is also available.

T-Series buyers can pick from three 1968cc turbo-diesel engines. TDI 340 versions are powered by a single variable-geometry-turbo engine producing 103kW and 340Nm that uses from 7.2 to 7.7L/100km on the official combined cycle, depending on the variant.

TDI 400 versions are powered by a 132kW, 400Nm single turbo engine that uses from 7.3 to 8.3L/100km.

Volkswagen’s new EA288 engine is offered as a sequential biturbo in the TDI 450. It produces 150kW at 4000rpm and 450Nm from 1400 to 2400rpm yet uses from 6.5 to 6.8L/100km.

Six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearboxes are available, with sport and manual shift modes in the Multivan and Caravelle, and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive is available for the Transporter TDI400 and Highline TDI450 versions.

The engines use BlueMotion efficiency measures to help them achieve their fuel-consumption figures, and a selective catalytic reduction converter to reduce NOx emissions.

In the cabin, a three-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel is standard from the workhorse versions to the range-topper, and a multitude of cabin storage trays and compartments feature in a combination specific to the variant and its role.

The Multivan dash design is unique and features an air-conditioned glove box and bottle holder, and powered 12-way adjustable, memory front seats with heaters feature in some versions.

The standard wheelbase Van offers a load capacity of 5.8 cubic metres with a maximum payload of 1.236 tonnes. It accepts a maximum load height of 1290mm through the standard tailgate (symmetrical barn-doors are optional) and accommodates a maximum load width of 1700mm, or a pallet-accommodating 1244mm between the wheel-arches.

Medium-high roof versions expand the load capacity to 6.7 cubic metres.

The long wheelbase version has a load capacity of 6.7 cubic metres or 7.8 cubic metres in medium-high roof form. The LWB-only high-roof version has a load capacity of 9.3 cubic metres.

Moving in to passenger car territory, Multivan versions place a pair of individual rear seats in the second row. The seats are anchored on tracks and can be slid, rotated or folded individually to allow seating and cargo flexibility.

Isofix child seat anchor points are standard in the second row and the outer positions of the third-row bench seat, and an inbuilt child’s booster seat is optionally available. Each seat can be slid, folded or removed, to liberate extra cargo space.

Occupant safety is a focus across the T6 range. Volkswagen’s Multi-Collision Braking system can step in after an initial collision with braking input designed to reduce the likelihood of a further collision.

A Driver Alert fatigue detection system uses a variety of sensor inputs to monitor the driver’s fitness to drive. Both these features are offered as standard across the range.

A Front Assist system with City Emergency Braking helps to maintain a safe distance to cars in front and can lessen stopping distances, and is available on Multivans.

Adaptive Cruise control is designed to increase both safety and convenience by providing a cleverer way to maintain vehicle speed during freeway driving, compared with normal cruise control.

A reversing camera is standard on the Multivan and Caravelle and is offered as an option on Van and Crewvan variants. A front and rear park distance control system is also standard for the Multivan line-up.

In infotainment, a Composition Colour audio unit with a 5.0-inch screen and Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity is standard in the Transporter.

Volkswagen’s 6.3-inch Composition Media unit with Google CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and finger-proximity sensor for inputs, and its top-level Discover Media audio and satellite navigation system, which are found standard up the range, can also be optioned.

The T6 range opens with the $36,990 Transporter TDI340 Van with a six-speed manual and a single kerbside sliding door.

Crewvan variants priced from $43,490 add three removable rear seats side-by-side and a roadside second sliding door, which is also available in a dual-loader option for the van.

There are also three-seater single-cab (from $44,690) and six-seater dual-cab (from $45,290) utility versions.

The Multivan Comfortline TDI340 opens the passenger oriented line-up from $49,990, or $53,990 in long-wheelbase form.

A powered tailgate and sliding side doors are standard from the Highline TDI450 version, which costs $76,490, or $79,990 with 4Motion all-wheel-drive.

The Highline, with up to seven seats, also introduces Nappa leather upholstery, dual powered sliding doors, climate control air-conditioning, Discover Media audio, 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog-lights and LED headlights, taillights and daytime running lights.

The long-wheelbase six-seater Executive TDI450 variant adds powered and heated Captain’s chairs with armrests among the cabin upgrades for $80,490.

The long-wheelbase Caravelle Trendline TDI340, which seats up to nine, costs $49,990 and comes with 16-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers, the 5.0-inch Composition Colour audio unit, and three-zone climate control air-conditioning.

The Multivan Generation Six TDI450 is a cool-looking launch edition variant that costs $74,990 and comes loaded with driver assistance, safety and infotainment equipment.

It’s set apart from lower versions by its retro-styled 18-inch disc wheels and choice of four two-tone exterior colour combinations.