BETTER QUALITY TRANSPORT (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 73

With Volkswagen's T6 sixth generation Transporter mid-sized van model, a smarter look pointed to the provision of much smarter Euro6 diesel engine-ware beneath the bonnet, along with a whole range of electronic gadgetry borrowed from the brand's latest passenger car development. Yet this no-nonsense design managed to remain simple, effective and well suited to the needs of buyers in the medium range market segment. Here, we check it out as a used buy.

Modelsword count: 10

(Mid-sized van) [2.0 TDI - 84, 102, 150 or 204PS]

Historyword count: 472

Think of a Volkswagen van and it's quite probable that you'll be picturing this one, the Transporter. Here, we're looking at the sixth generation T6 version launched in 2015, a van visually similar to its predecessor but significantly improved in many of the areas that really matter. The Transporter story dates right back to Germany's bleak post-war era and 1949 when a Dutch vehicle importer called Ben Pon spotted workers at Volkswagen's Wolfsburg factory using a stripped-down Beetle to move parts around. Inspired, he sketched out a platform for a versatile commercial vehicle that would go on to set a template for the kind of spacious modern van we're familiar with today. That T1 Transporter sold for 17 years before a more spacious T2 model was introduced in 1967, followed by a more angular T3 version in 1979. More familiar on modern roads is the T4 design of 1990 and its replacement T5 successor of 2003. All of these Transporter models were aimed at the same medium-sized van segment that this T6 version also targeted - right in the heart of the commercial vehicle sector. Business people shopping here need something more spacious than a compact LCV like Volkswagen's own Caddy, but they don't want to stretch to the higher running costs of a really large van. That's a remit that'll suit a lot of people, hence the stiff competition in this segment in this period from models like Vauxhall's Vivaro, Renault's Trafic, Ford's Transit Custom and the Mercedes Vito, all contenders that by 2015 had been substantially redesigned. Hence the need, in the Autumn of 2015, for the launch of the sixth generation T6 Transporter model we're going to look at here. The visual similarity that this MK6 version shared with the old T5 model was also reflected by underpinnings that were pretty much exactly the same as they had been before. More significantly, the dimensions were virtually identical too, which once more prevented Volkswagen from taking on the most spacious models in this class. The brand reckoned though, that potential buyers had other priorities, hence the much more efficient Euro6 engine range and this model's smarter cab with its better infotainment systems. Plus there was the option of features that many rivals from this period simply couldn't provide - 4WD, more sophisticated electronic safety technology and a third roof height for example. And, as before, this Transporter came with unbeatable build quality and the widest range of body styles that this market segment could deliver. At the end of 2019, Volkswagen introduced a mid-term update so far-reaching that they re-christened this model the 'Transporter 6.1'. In this form, the model gained improved engines, revised infotainment systems and a new electromechanical power steering set-up. This sixth generation design was finally replaced by the new-generation T7 seventh generation version late in 2024.

What You Getword count: 498

This sixth generation T6 Transporter model looks a more modern proposition than its predecessor, with crisp, horizontal lines complemented by angular headlamps that include distinctive daytime running lights on top variants. And at the wheel? Well you'll look in vain for soft-touch surfaces, but then you wouldn't expect that kind of thing on a van. Despite this, the T6 Transporter model offers the smartest-feeling interior in the segment from this period, courtesy of a carefully designed cabin that aims to deliver in terms of both style and functionality. Focus on the dashboard and the first thing you notice is the 'Composition' colour infotainment touchscreen, fitted just above the ventilation controls above the gearstick. As standard, the set-up came with a 5.0-inch display, but original buyers could upgrade it to 6.33-inches in size if they wanted more features and a useful proximity sensor that reacts as your finger gets close to the required graphic. The post-2019-era Transporter 6.1 model got much better infotainment and a range of larger screens - up to 10.25-inches in size. Whatever your choice of screen, you get features like Bluetooth and a DAB radio as standard across the range, plus the chance to create what in effect would be all the ingredients for mobile office technology. Time to consider the practicality of this Transporter and, as usual, let's start at the business end. Though the lifting tailgate that you get on passenger carrying versions of this van was available as a glazed or unglazed option, the asymmetrically-split rear doors that come as standard will suit most businesses. Inside, the wide, boxy area is illuminated by two interior lights, and a third is included with the high roof body style. You get a completely level cargo floor with a loadspace length of 2,572mm in the short wheelbase version, a figure you could increase to 2,975mm if you were to go for the long wheelbase body style - enough for the carriage of three euro pallets. Whatever your choice of wheelbase, there's a loading width of 1,700mm, narrowing to 1,244mm between the wheelarches - still enough to take a euro pallet lengthwise. That's enough to enable the carriage of an 8x4 sheet, even in the short wheelbase model. The interior roof height is 1,410mm on the low roof model, but there's lots of flexibility in increasing that thanks to the fact that Volkswagen offered a total of three roof height options - other vans in this segment usually offer only two. Size-wise then, most of what you want to carry will probably fit - but what about weight? Well, payloads are very similar to what they were in the old T5 version, ranging from 658kg to 1,331kg, depending on your choice of Gross Vehicle Weights - there are 2,600, 2,800, 3,000 and 3,200Kg options. Want to load in from the side? Well, there's a standard sliding door on the left-hand side of the vehicle - and another was available for the other side as an option.

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