New generation of the Transporter, Multivan, Caravelle and California

[mangoburger]

Some pictures from Prague Motorshow.

http://www.tipcars.com/applications/...ek=&zdroj=Petr Šikl&id_fotogalerie=2050

Thanks for the link Transporter, I've been checking out the Czech chicks! (not so many unlike our motor shows). The outside rear panelwork of that Skoda Superb Combi looks misplaced to me, I don't like it at all. Funny, I've built the exact same Renault stand as pictured with the same wall graphic several times, they're really big on keeping their corporate identity wherever they sell.

[mangoburger]

Been talking to Peninsula VW, dealer said they don't even know the model codes of the units which are already on the boat on the way here. He was extolling the virtues of the new engine, I guess the 2.5PD motor has been around for quite a while.

Another dealer told me that VW ordered far less window vans due to the "RECESSION!" all over the media, so when K Rudd dropped the news about the 50% concession they had buyers lining up and nothing to sell, but no shortage of commercials. I'm off to pick up the Multivan in my sig in 15 mins, been waiting for a lease to come through and it just did.

First (non-test) drive T minus 45mins & counting ))

[Transporter]

Another dealer told me that VW ordered far less window vans due to the "RECESSION!" all over the media, so when K Rudd dropped the news about the 50% concession they had buyers lining up and nothing to sell, but no shortage of commercials. I'm off to pick up the Multivan in my sig in 15 mins, been waiting for a lease to come through and it just did.

First (non-test) drive T minus 45mins & counting ))

Congratulations mate, and pictures please.

[wayco]

Will a crew cab 132kw dsg gearbox be available in Aus?
Is the 4 motion front wheel drive which transmits power to the rear when traction is lost or is there a toqure split present all the time ?

[phaeton]

We should know in the new year

[mangoburger]

Will a crew cab 132kw dsg gearbox be available in Aus?
Is the 4 motion front wheel drive which transmits power to the rear when traction is lost or is there a toqure split present all the time ?

Here's the official VW line on 4motion

http://www.vw.co.za/about/technology/4motion/

and here's some informative forum stuff

http://www.clubgti.com/FORUM/showthread.php?t=77840

It appears there are actually several different systems across the VW range all labelled as 4motion, which doesn't help.

I read a van review which suggested the vans' 4motion system wasn't ideal on sand, however another thread said switching the ESP off helped a lot on sand so perhaps the reviewers hadn't tried this. I've been driving my van on wet and dry roads and occasionally when I boot it around a corner an orange light flashes to tell me some system's working but that's about it, it certainly never feels anything like my wife's FWD 2.0 TDI Golf which delivers massive axle tramp when booting away in the wet, even though that car supposedly has ASR traction control fully engaged. Come to think of it, I've never tried switching the traction control off to see if there's any difference.

[mangoburger]

Congratulations mate, and pictures please.

Still trying to upload some photos, I've had computer issues and the bloody CPU won't talk to the camera at the moment Got the schmick limo-tint on all the rear windows today, the tinter was able to guarantee his work as the standard Highline rear tint apparently uses green glass, so he's not adding another layer of film to someone else's work.

Will be driving to Adelaide on Monday, my inaugural Multivan voyage as owner and driver, taking 4 passengers. Presumably a very dark tint will actually reduce fuel consumption, as the AC won't have to work as hard to keep the car cool. Probably good for protecting the leather too, but all practicalities aside, I just love the look of blacked out windows, have them on the Golf too.

[rymi]

Presumably a very dark tint will actually reduce fuel consumption, as the AC won't have to work as hard to keep the car cool.

Dark tint will reduce fuel consumption ?!! By making the AC not have to work as hard ?!! It seems you're trying really hard to justify the cost of the new tint... Hate to say, but I think it would take about 100 years and 10,000,000 km to recoup the cost of the tint in fuel savings. On a diesel vehicle, I don't think having the AC on or off makes any measurable difference to fuel consumption (has anyone tried it?) and it never ceases to amaze me that some people are reluctant to use the airconditioning on their $50,000 car because they might use an extra 2c worth of fuel.

Having said that, I like the look of T5's with dark tint too - I think it was money well spent. The ambulances look great with their virtually black (90% block out) tint.

But don't tell yourself its going to save fuel !!!

[gregozedobe]

I read a van review which suggested the vans' 4motion system wasn't ideal on sand, however another thread said switching the ESP off helped a lot on sand so perhaps the reviewers hadn't tried this.

I have a vague idea that a couple of people on this forum have been very happy with the performance of their 4-mo T5s on sand (let the tyre pressures down a bit and away they went). IIRC The only thing to watch out for was lack of ground clearance. A search may turn up the relevant threads/posts.

[jets]

[QUOTE=rymi;410050] On a diesel vehicle, I don't think having the AC on or off makes any measurable difference to fuel consumption (has anyone tried it?) QUOTE]

I was told by the salesman when I purchased my Golf TDI that using the AC uses around .5l/100km. At idle an increase is displayed on the dashboard when AC is turned on.
With the power of the TDI it isn't noticeable but in lesser vehicles it can be used as an engine brake when going down hill.