Productivity
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To illustrate how refined and efficient the new biturbo diesel engine is, you need to look at the hard facts.
Two years ago, we tested the T30 Transporter, albeit the 2.5-litre 128hp version, and it returned 36.9mpg and 34.6mpg on the laden and unladen runs respectively. This time around, the more powerful unit eclipsed both figures by a substantial margin, returning 42.1mpg without payload and 36.4mpg with the rear fully committed.
However, during the week we spent with the Transporter, we mangecl to average approximately 28.2mpg, which involved stop-start city driving and performance testing.
Loading and unloading is easy, especially with the side-sliding door and twin rear doors that open to a full 180 degrees. Inside, there is no floor protection, and even with just 2,200 miles on the clock, it already looks scarred. Make sure you specify the protective rubber matting, which only costs £120. but will add much more to the value of your van come resale time. Service intervals for this variant are set at 18,000 miles or two years (whichever comes first), but VW warns these periods can change if the on-board sensor, erm. senses that oil quality is low and needs changing.
Cab comfort
You'll have to look hard to see any major differences in the interior layout between this vehicle and its predecessor.
There's still the dash-mounted gearlever, identical storage trays and the same robust plastics as before, but there have been some subtle changes made, starting with the instrument panel.
Gone is the old, yet funky, red-on-blue lighting: to be replaced by a more traditional red-on-white scheme.
Encapsulated in the instrument panel is a new multifunction display that provides you with information on everything from fuel consumption to travel time. We particularly like the new touchscreen satellite navigation system (€600 optional extra). which features the latest software and maps, along with a modern and userfriendly interface.
Also different is the switchgear on the dashboard, which looks a lot more modern and up-to-date compared with rivals such as the Ford Transit or Vauxhall Vivam.
Standard on all panel-van versions for the first time is a dual-passenger seat complete with folding backrest that doubles as a work surface if needed.
Our test van came with the optional SE trim pack costing £1,180, which includes 'Climatic' air-conditicming, full bulkhead, electrically heated wing mirrors, electric windows, perimeter alarm and extra load lashings on the C-pillar.
On the road
Having 178hp and 400Nm at our disposal, we expected strong performance from the Transporter on the track (and on the road for that matter) and that's exactly what we got.
The bit urbo 2.0-litre diesel sent the Transporter from rest to .50mpfi in 11.2 seconds and the in-gear acceleration was equally impressive with a 30mph-50mph time (in third gear) of 6.4 seconds.
On the open road, the Transporter is a very capable performer and is, generally, a good long-distance companion.The new engine is quiet and unobtrusive at the national speed limit thanks in part to the additional sixth gear that comes with the two highest ratings. On the unladen run, we found that the ride was generally compliant with the suspension (which still features a separate sub-frame at the front to reduce vibration) and showed the right amount of damping on the bounce and rebound. Body control is more exaggerated with a full payload onboard, but that's to be expected when carrying around 950kg in the back.
Without the load area packed, corners can be taken with a bit more gusto, and the Transporter does what it's told with little or no fuss.
On urban routes, we were impressed with the vehicle's manoeuvrability and tight turning circle, even for such a chunky-sized van. The optional parking sensors do make life easier and, essentially, all you have to do is watch you don't scrape those 18-inch alloys on the kerb.
A major gripe we have with the new van, though, is the lack of any spare wheel because it has been deemed too heavy and detrimental to payload. Instead, you get a tyrerepair kit, which serves no purpose if you have a blow-out on a Friday afternoon in rush-hour traffic — as we did.
Potential buyers should also be aware that the tyres (255/45 R18s) are uncommon, and should you have to replace the rubber, it'll cost you circa £240 a piece.
That said, the Transporter is covered by VW Assist, which will sort the problem out with the minimum of fuss. •