T6 competition ? .

[Sunny43.5]

Well the cats out of the bag Mercedes have released specs on their new vans , I wonder if VW have spies inside Mercedes to see what they are up to . Some interesting technology I noticed a 7 speed auto with Torque converter , I wonder again if Mercedes have been watching VW stumble with the DSG and decided to stay with a more conventional auto . Plus two drive train configurations rear or front wheel drive depending on vehicle usage ie towing heavy loads etc . Seems Mercedes have recognised different weight and towing need different final drive configuration . Hope we get some teasers from VW soon for the T6 .Automotive Tv

[Transporter]

Well, Mercedes didn't recognised, they invented.
The others are still catching up. It's been MB who invented the car and pushes the bounderies for more than 100 years. Some technology that was in MB cars in 80's was still missing in many other brands 20 years later.

[Tornado T5]

There is actually 3 drive trains with an awd. Seems the Vito can offer me a crewvan, Lwb, wing doors, 7 speed conventional auto and 140 kW As no mention yet of the v6 diesel. More importantly it looks like the new Vito is more squared off at the rear where the T5 was superior for load area entry through the rear over the current Vito.

[Transporter]

Where the V6 is most likely 140kW engine, which was used in the past.

[Tornado T5]

MB have created a new V class to replace Viano and it seems that doesn't have a v6 either. Pity, as the current V6 diesel is a 165kW unit, the new 140kW is one of three states if tune of a 2.13L 4cyl,

from Sunny's link:
Automotive Tv

In cases where demands on performance are high, use will be intensive, gross vehicle weights are high or trailer towing will be demanding, the right choice is the new Vito with rear-wheel drive and four-cylinder engine with a 2.15-litre displacement. It is available at three power output levels Vito 114 CDI, 136 hp; Vito 116 CDI, 163 hp, and Vito 119 BlueTEC, 190 hp. As the first Euro 6 engine in this class, the Vito 119 BlueTEC occupies a special place.

Six-speed manual transmissions handle power transmission as standard. The 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission with torque converter is optional for the Vito 114 CDI and Vito 116 CDI and standard equipment on the Vito 119 BlueTEC. For vans it is the world's only automatic transmission with torque converter and seven gears.

I love the last line, a dig at VW, Fiat, Renault... and frankly they're right, I much prefer the smoothness of driving in all situations, particularly low speed urban crawl, it would provide over the small gains in fuel economy supposedly offered.

Edit, just re-found something about about fuel economy of the 140kW with 7spd auto in the heavier V class and it claims 6.1L/100km so you can have it all (and pay for it I imagine)
The new Marco Polo: Stylish independence. - Mercedes-Benz.com

[Transporter]

Huh, that's even better, the 4cyl. with 140kW and a good fuel economy goes with it.

I hope that MB done a better work in other departments like body work, paint and the interior, because judging from the past VW vans were always superior in almost everything. So it could be really worthwhile to wait what the VAG announces the specs of the new T6 would be.

[Tornado T5]

Huh, that's even better, the 4cyl. with 140kW and a good fuel economy goes with it.

I hope that MB done a better work in other departments like body work, paint and the interior, because judging from the past VW vans were always superior in almost everything. So it could be really worthwhile to wait what the VAG announces the specs of the new T6 would be.

You're not wrong, I had two customers see my van last week after I had washed it, and both said "nice new van", I told them it's 7 years old and original paint...I have to say the paint quality and tightness of body is still brilliant 218,000 km and 7 years later, so I'm really hoping all this improved competition just spurs VW to bigger and better things making my future purchase not so difficult, lol.

I can make myself live with a dsg, (I hope), but value, standard features etc are not emotional decisions, and VW, while the oldest at the moment compared to its opposition lags behind in value and option pricing and I feel VW. Australia is trading on its "premium euro" Image which has been the way it's passenger car marketing has gone this past decade.

The new Vito does seem impressive.

[Sunny43.5]

I hope you can make yourself live with the DSG because I am still not a convert , it just seems to me to be too quirky for my liking . I have just returned from a 1000km round trip around the Darling Downs and Northern NSW and there were times when I just was not convinced it was so superior as others have claimed . Too many sharp gear changes for no reason when a slight increase on the cruise control was applied , and then the dreadful down hill roar when decending any steep sort of mountain ranges . Maybe a torque converter auto is not such a bad thing after all , even after all these years of automatics in cars I don't think VW and others have made a huge leap forward with this design . A gearbox which tries to predict what the driver is doing with his or her right foot is not my cup of tea . My mate has just bought a new MB but not sure which auto it has , but will be interesting to see how it drives .

[Transporter]

Unfortunately the TQ auto transmissions aren't seen as the future, well at least for the next 5-10 years ahead. It's the DSG and CVT variants, for their ability to keep the engine rpms at ideal range without too much fluctuation between the gear changes for the best possible fuel economy, which also explains to you why the manufacturers are increasing the number of the gears.
Soon we should see the 10speed DSG and there are already cars on the road with the 9speed transmissions.

I'm also old school and would prefer an old style auto, which is currently better for the towing and the 4wdriving. But, I can adapt and as well am an open minded, so, if that's they way it's better for the future and the one has to go through the transition period, which may seem like we would be going backwards but the past indicates otherwise, so be it.

So, be optimistic Sunny.

[Sunny43.5]

Sums it up at the moment for me yes old school as well I miss the good old days . I don't believe that the DSG is perfect as we have all seen the early versions in different models etc . as I pointed out I cannot see why it had to change down through 3 gear changes at 100 kmh when I only tapped on the cruise control to raise the cruise speed on a flat highway by 2 kmh . There is obviously a doubtful amount of intelligence in the thing as when decending a steep mountain range it holds the gear with the resulting engine revving and if you gently push the throttle to get it to change up it does and then if you attempt to bring the speed back under control again the bugger just downshifts again Pees me off . I still love the vans but would love to see VW make some changes in the next generation , but I wont hold my breath as I am sure I will probably pass out after turning blue in the face . LOL