Aug 26, 2020 Volkswagen commercial vehicles, T-series, Transporter, T6.1
The sixth generation Volkswagen Transporter range gets a facelift
The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles T-Series range has been refreshed with a facelift that will now be called the T6.1.
The facelifted Transporter range consists of the Pick Up (Single and Double cab), Panel Van, Crew Bus, Kombi, Caravelle and California. The T6.1 range will go on sale in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia from January 2021. In South Africa the T-Series, especially the legendary Kombi and Caravelle, have been the best-sellers for the past six decades. Now in its sixth generation, the Transporter range has sold around 12 million units worldwide; no other commercial vehicle in the world has been on the market for as long as the Transporter has. In South Africa, 10 097 units of the T6 range have been sold since its launch in 2015. The T6.1 will now continue the heritage and sales success story of the T-Series model range in South Africa.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has further developed, honed and refined the T6.1, especially at the front. With or without chrome elements, the new front design emphasises the width and increases the charisma of the T6.1. Six newly designed wheels, six new exterior colours and seven newly combined two-tone paintwork finishes round off the new exterior updates to the range.
The new instrument panel not only meets the requirements of digitalisation, but also the aim of providing high levels of practicality. The panel has been equipped with an additional shelf in front of the driver. Also new is a larger tray for a smart phone with, an inductive interface for charging which is an optional feature. The air vents in the dashboard can now be adjusted in every direction and simultaneously opened or closed using one slider control. The steering wheel has also been redesigned - on the new multifunction steering wheel there is now a ‘View’ button, which enables the driver to switch between the digital cockpit's different display configurations with just one click.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has reconfigured the entire range of infotainment systems in order to provide an unprecedented array of web-based functions and services. With the T6.1, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is offering a vehicle that is equipped with fully digital instruments, like the digital cockpit. The 10.25-inch digital cockpit in the T6.1 sets new standards. It is fitted as standard in the Caravelle Highline and California. The graphics of the high-contrast display have a clear, high-quality look. The driver can choose between different screen configurations which is done via the ‘View’ button on the multifunction steering wheel.
Electro-mechanical power steering is being used for the first time in the T6.1. This has two major benefits: unlike the hydraulic system it replaces, the new steering system can be controlled as needed and this reduces fuel consumption. Via driving profile selection, the driver can now set the desired level of damping almost seamlessly using a slider control. On the conventional chassis versions, the damping forces are set dependent on the spring travel and thus ensure that the T6.1 is smoothly kept stable in all load situations. The range of familiar slip and braking control systems has been expanded through the addition of the XDS function, which improves the handling and traction characteristics of the T6.1 through gentle application of the brakes. As a result of the combination of electro-mechanical power steering, vehicle dynamics control systems and adapted chassis adjustment, an appreciable enhancement in handling and driving fun is a feature of the T6.1, while it continues – including on longer journeys – to offer the familiar high level of ride comfort.
The following driver assistance systems are available in the T6.1: Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Automatic Post-Collision Braking (also standard), Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Assist (for 4MOTION all-wheel drive), the Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator, lane change assistant Lane Assist, the standard cruise control system inclusive of speed limiter and parking assistant Park Assist. Optional safety systems include Trailer Assist and the advanced main-beam control system Light Assist. The full spectrum of driver assistance systems makes the T6.1 one of the safest and easiest driving commercial vehicles on the market.
The three categories of the T6.1 will continue with the commercial vehicles (Panel Van, Pick Up and Crew, Bus); passenger carriers designed for private use (Caravelle and Kombi) and the recreational vehicle (California Coast). Along with the various engine combinations, the choice of short and long wheelbases offers flexibility and functionality.
TDI engines deliver between 81kW and 146kW. The T6.1 range will launch with three 2.0-litre turbo diesel (TDI) engines with common rail injection that are both economical and sustainable. The four-cylinder engines deliver between 81kW and 146kW of power.
2.0-litre TDI delivering 81kW. The 2.0 TDI develops a power output of 81kW. The maximum torque of 250 Nm is already available at the very low engine speed of 1 250rpm. It is fitted with a 5-speed manual gearbox and has a fuel consumption 7.9 l/100 km in the Pick Up Single Cab and Double Cab, 7.5 l/100 km in the Panel Van and 7.3 l/100 km in the Crew Bus and Kombi.
2.0-litre TDI delivering 110kW. With a power output of 110 kW (as of 3 250 to 3 750 rpm) the front-wheel drive T6.1 with a 7-speed gearbox reaches an impressive top speed of 172 km/h. What is much more decisive, however, is this TDI’s supreme traction, which is down to the high maximum torque of 340 Nm – a level that is consistently available between 1 500 and 3 000 rpm. In the Pick Up Single Cab, Panel Van, Crew Bus and Kombi, the powerful engine consumes between 8.0 – 8.3 l/100 km.
2.0-litre BiTDI delivering 146kW. The model with the top engine specification is powered by a 146kW twin turbo engine, which is supplied as standard in combination with 7-speed DSG®. The TDI delivers its highest power output between 3 800 and 4 000 rpm. The engine develops its very high maximum torque of 450 Nm between 1 400 and 2 400 rpm. This powerful drive train accelerates the T6.1 to a speed of up to 191 km/h. The derivatives that are offered with this engine are the Pick Up Double Cab, Crew Bus, Kombi, Caravelle as well as the California Coast.
Recommended Retail Price as of 1 September 2020
(VAT and emissions tax included)
T6.1 Pick Up
Single Cab 2.0 TDI 81kW LWB R412 800
Single Cab 2.0 TDI 110kW 4MOTION® DSG® LWB R466 100
Double Cab 2.0 TDI 81kW LWB R485 300
Double Cab 2.0 BiTDI 146kW 4MOTION® DSG® LWB R590 800
T6.1 Panel Van
2.0 TDI 81kW LWB R530 600
2.0 TDI 110kW DSG® LWB R568 700
T6.1 Crew Bus
2.0 TDI 81kW LWB (10-seater) R612 000
2.0 TDI 110kW 4MOTION® DSG® LWB (5-seater) R639 000
2.0 BiTDI 146kW 4MOTION® DSG® (5-seater) R710 500
2.0 BiTDI 146kW 4MOTION® DSG® LWB (8-seater) R752 700
T6.1 Kombi
2.0 TDI 81kW Trendline R697 700
2.0 TDI 110kW DSG® Trendline R726 000
2.0 BiTDI 146kW 4MOTION® DSG® Trendline Plus R871 800
T6.1 Caravelle
Highline 2.0 BiTDI 146kW 4MOTION® DSG® R1 149 400
T6.1 California
California Coast 2.0 BiTDI 146kW 4MOTION® DSG® R1 196 500
The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Pick Up, Panel Van and Crew Bus range comes standard with a 3-year/60 000 km Easy Drive Service Plan, 2-year/unlimited km manufacturer warranty. The Kombi, Caravelle and California range comes standard with a 5-year/ 60 000km maintenance plan and a 3-year/ 120 000km manufacturer warranty. The entire T6.1 range comes standard with a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000km.
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