Last Updated: 10/03/2010
VW Transporter upgrade is worth
The upgraded fifth generation Volkswagen Transporter has arrived on these shores. Though outwardly very familiar to existing T5 vans, apart from new lights, mirrors and grille, the range is completely updated beneath the bodywork.Both the 1.9 litre and 2.5 litre diesel engines have been replaced by a line-up of four 2.0 litre TDI motors. The base model boasts 84hp and 220Nm of torque, rising to 102hp and 250Nm on the most popular fleet model. A 140hp version with 340Nm of torque is up next and the range-topping 180hp biturbo model has a mighty 400Nm of torque on tap.
The two lower powered models come with five-speed manual boxes while the higher powered engines have a six-speed manual. The two top engines can also be ordered with a seven-speed DSG gearbox and they are also available with the option of 4Motion four wheel drive.
This is the first time that a DSG box, or indeed any automatic has been offered with 4Motion in a Transporter, and to be fair is aimed mainly at the leisure market through Caravelle and California models.
Service intervals for the 84, 102 and 140hp engines have been stretched from 18,000 to 25,000 miles or two years. The top engine will still require a visit to the dealer at 18,000 miles or two years though. Total life service bills will also be reduced, as timing belt change intervals have been increased from 78,000 miles on the 1.9 litre engines and 112,000 miles on the 2.5 litre, to 130,000 miles on all four 2.0 litre engines.
VW says that customers running the 84hp or 102hp vans over three years and 90,000 miles can expect to save around £462 in servicing costs alone, as well as benefitting from lower fuel consumption.
Volkswagen is making some big claims for the 2.0 litre engines, with lower CO2 emissions and on average a 10 per cent fuel consumption saving. The new engine is also considerably smoother and quieter than either of the previous units, which is instantly noticeable in the cab.
VW says that the difference is around 3-5dB(A) depending on engine spec. As the noise scale is logarithmic that actually relates to a 50 per cent drop in noise to the human ear.
Van User has tried a number of Transporter variants now, both on smooth German autobahns and more recently on a variety of roads in Northamptonshire. That includes the two lower powered models and the 140hp van. We have also had the most popular 102hp van for a week to put to some real miles on the clock.
Our test van was based on the long wheelbase chassis with a low roof. Customers can still choose from low, medium and high roof vans on short or long wheelbases. The smallest van offers 5.8cu m of load volume, rising to 9.3cu m on the long and high model.
Payloads range from 749kg to 1,333kg, with gross weights of 2.6-3.2 tonnes. In addition you can order the T5 as a Kombi, with a second set of seats and windows or as a complete window van, with three rows of seats. If you prefer to make your own choice on bodywork then chassis cab and double cab chassis are available too, though these are only available on the longer chassis.
As mentioned our test van came with the 102hp engine and five speed gearbox. Despite only five gears in the box the 102hp model cruises really well and can cover the miles with ease.
All models have ABS and electronic braking control, along with traction control and ESP, which includes a hill hold facility. One thing that you will instantly notice when you see a new T5 on the road is that the headlights will be on, as the vans all come with daytime running lights that can’t be turned off.
This is to comply with legislation next year when all new cars will have to be equipped with daytime lights, though it is not yet clear if that will be the case with all LCVs.
In standard trim the T5 comes with driver and passenger airbags, driver’s seat lumbar adjustment and a gearshift indicator in the revised dash that shows when to change up and down to achieve maximum economy. Speaking of the dash, VW has dropped its cool blue lighting in favour of bright white lighting in the dials, which is a bit of a shame.
The base price of our T30 LWB van was £17,640 plus the VAT and delivery costs. The company had added a few extras to our van, including the metallic paint (£475), alloy wheels (£565) and the SE pack (£1,180). The SE pack includes Climatic manual air-con, a perimeter alarm, full height bulkhead with window, electric windows and heated door mirrors, internal central locking and a driver’s comfort seat.
The T5 was already a really good van to drive, in all conditions. The new engines make it a better van, smoother, quieter and more frugal. It handles well, cruises easily on the motorways yet doesn’t feel too big in town, even in LWB format.
Given VW’s strong residual values and its growing market share, you would have to say that for its design engineers it’s a case of job well done.
