VW's catalytic attack
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• Volkswagen has responded quicker than most manufacturers to demands for lower vehicle emissions. It was among the first to offer catalytic convertors on its products, long before they were an option on many petrol-powered LCVs. Diesel offers an even better solution, with potentially even lower emissions.
CM tested a VW LT35ED in the summer (CM 2-8 August) and had the opportunity to compare it with a cat-equipped LT28 recently. The LT28 is the lightest in the LT range with a 3,100kg GVW, not 2,800kg as its name suggests.
Having complained for years about the noise in diesel LTs, the low noise level's came as a great surprise. The straight-six petrol engine whispers along and completely transforms the vehicle. It is probably quieter than many passenger cars.
The full-height bulkhead behind the driving compartment certainly helped, by reducing body-generated vibrations. This would have been counteracted to some extent as the driver is effectively enclosed in a smaller box with the engine, which is located between the seats.
Most diesel-engined vans offer more torque and less power than their petrol-engined counterparts. Not so with the LT, even in catalyst guise. The diesel develops 57kW (78hp) at 4,300rpm and maximum torque of 144Nm (106Ibft) at
2,200rpm. Equivalent figures for the petrol catalyst engine are ekw (94hp) at 4,200rpm and 167Nm (1231bft) at 2,400rpm. Both engines share the same block and displacement is identical at 2,384cc. Diesels usually get improved torque by having a larger capacity than petrol engines.
Taking these factors into consideration, the laden fuel consumption of 13.7Iit/100km (20.7mpg) is not too bad. Compared with our results from the diesel LT35 which carried an additional 400kg (11.61it/100km (24.4mpg)), the LT28 catalyst uses about 15% more fuel. It also produces 21% more power and 16% more torque than the diesel, which means although the diesel beats it in outright fuel consumption, the trade-off is not too great, as we found
when we tested the smaller Transporter Catalyst (CM 1218 July).
Otherwise, the cat-equipped model shares the same faults and advantages as other LTs: good access to the boxy body; solid construction set against the poor access to the engine; and the awkward dog-leg first gear.
This must rate as the best LT we have tested from a driver's point of view, if only because the low noise levels make it a relaxing vehicle to drive, particularly on motorways and over long distances. The catalyst adds £931 to the price of a petrol LT28, bringing it up to £12,132 (ex-VAT). This still keeps it £678 below the diesel LT28, making it a viable proposition with current fuel pricing policy.