Volkswagen Van Centres Ready to Take Transporter Orders Now

MILTON KEYNES, UNITED KINGDOM – November 23, 2009: The new Volkswagen Transporter range, with new styling, a range of quieter and more economical Euro5 common rail TDI engines and reduced running costs, sets new standards of quality and refinement in the LCV sector, and is now available to order ahead of its official launch at Volkswagen Van Centres in January 2010.

The Transporter, which celebrates 60 years of production next year, continues to offer a choice of panel vans and chassis cabs, plus shuttle and window van people movers with up to nine seats. The range is enhanced by a new kombi model with a folding and removable rear bench seat that can carry up to six people and a load in the rear. This configuration used to be available only as an option pack but due to its popularity has now become a model in its own right. This model achieves N1 classification and so is taxed as a commercial vehicle.

Four new 2.0-litre four-cylinder common rail TDI engines offer greater power and torque levels than the outgoing engines, and service intervals are extended by up to 7,000 miles to a maximum of 25,000 miles, reducing servicing costs.

Joining the aesthetic and mechanical changes are several important safety features which are now standard on all models. A new seatbelt warning reminds the driver to belt up and the passenger airbag can now be deactivated if the driver needs to carry a child seat. A new daytime running lights function improves the vehicle’s visibility on the road, while a new emergency feature flashes the brake lights under heavy braking and activates the hazard warning lights if the vehicle stops.

Volkswagen’s latest generation ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), previously a £295 option, is also now standard offering greater stability in all driving conditions along with ARP (anti rollover protection), Ready Alert Brake and Rain Brake Support for faster braking, a trailer stabilisation function, and an all-new hill start assistant.

New optional safety features include a tyre monitoring system to alert the driver if there is a change in tyre pressure, plus ‘side assist’ which warns the driver if there are any vehicles in the blindspot. Additionally, to reduce the risk of accidents when turning or reversing, there is now an optional cornering light incorporated in the front fog light to illuminate the road in the direction in which the vehicle is turning, plus a reversing camera to display the area behind the van, with ‘virtual’ lines showing where it is going.

Among the new features standard on every Transporter is a gear change indicator on the new instrument panel to recommend the right gear for maximum economy. The radio/CD can be fitted with an aux-in adaptor, or upgraded to a system with an aux-in socket, or the latest colour, touchscreen satellite navigation system with 30 Gb hard drive to store mapping and music. Two other new options include the acclaimed seven-speed DSG transmission and the convenience of a multi-function leather steering wheel.

With modest price increases across the range of between three to five per cent, the new Transporter range now starts from £15,700 (excluding VAT).