Volkswagen introduces petrol power for Transporter

Volkswagen has announced it will soon offer new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder for its Transporter van, which has so far been offered only with 2.0-litre turbo-diesel power.

Also available on the cab-chassis, Caravelle, Multivan and range-topping California camper that's offered in the UK, the Transporter's new 2.0 TSI engine is thought to be a response to concerns by the German car-maker to the potential of slowing demand for diesel-powered vehicles in Europe.

The Transporter's 2.0 TSI engine is available with two power outputs – either 110kW/280Nm with a six-speed manual, or a 150kW/350Nm version that gets both VW's seven-speed dual-clutch auto and 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

Claimed to be ideal for those who carry large loads, both versions of the new engine develops its maximum torque from just 1500rpm.

In the UK market, Volkswagen has priced the petrol-powered Transporter $1650 cheaper than the equivalent 2.0-litre diesel and claims the petrol version has lower running costs for those operators based in urban environments with lower annual mileages.

Compared to the petrol engine, the German car-maker says that -- in the UK at least -- it's only after 29,000km have been racked up that the diesel's better fuel efficiency justifies its price premium.

As well as petrol power for the Transporter, Volkswagen has also announced it will offer 62kW 1.2-litre and 75kW 1.0-litre turbo petrol engines for its smaller Caddy delivery van, alongside the 92kW 1.4 TSI we already get in Australia.

Volkswagen Australia has advised the new petrol-powered Transporter is under serious consideration for local release and that the only question is how much it will cost.