New VW Kombi and Caravelle driven
The Volkswagen Kombi, that stuff of legend and of David Kramer, has gone for a facelift. Although the new VW Caravelle, Kombi and Transporter still carry the T5 designation introduced in 2004, the latest cosmetic surgery cut deeper than just the sheet metal.
The most important changes are on the engine and transmission front, where all the turbodiesels have been replaced by a new generation of Euro 3 common rail injection engines. All are 2.0 litre TDI four-cylinder engines with outputs ranging from 75kW to 103kW to the range topping 132kW bi-turbo unit.For the first time, Volkswagen’s 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) will also be an option on the 103kW and 132kW TDI engines. Four-wheel drive (4MOTION) will also be available for the first time on the 132kW version.The active and passive safety systems on the T5 have been improved, with the latest generation ESP fitted as standard across the range. This includes trailer stabilisation and hill hold assist.Volkswagen Commerial Vehicles have taken a leaf out of the design book of their colleagues at passenger cars and grafted the new VW design DNA onto the front of the T5. Don’t expect it to look like the new Polo or Golf though.Several tweaks have been made to the interior, with new three spoke steering wheels and redesigned instrument clusters. The air conditioning systems have been updated, as has the entertainment systems and the seating in especially the Caravelle.The 7-seater Caravelle, decked out in leather with plenty of innovative 
seating arrangements, is a comfortable place to spend time with the family. Opt for the 132kW bi-turbo (we’ll see it in the Amarok bakkie as well later this year) with the DSG transmission and four-wheel drive and you’ll cruise almost anywhere in South Africa without breaking a sweat. It will cost you though. The top-of-the-range BiTDI DSG 4MOTION Caravelle costs R585800.Kombi and Caravelle models come standard with a 3 year/120 000km warranty and a 5 year/60 000km Maintenance Plan.Pricing:TRANSPORTERSingle Cab 2.0 TDi LWB 75kW R227 500Single Cab 2.0 TDi LWB 103kW R260 100Single Cab 2.0 TDi LWB DSG 103kW R277 600Double Cab 2.0 TDi LWB 75kW R256 600Double Cab 2.0 BiTDi LWB 132kW R296 600Double Cab 2.0 BiTDi LWB 4MOTION 132kW R333 100Panel Van 2.0 TDi LWB 75kW R291 700Panel Van 2.0 TDi LWB 103kWR324 400Crew Bus 2.0 TDi SWB 75kW R339 300Crew Bus 2.0 BiTDi SWB 132kW R380 300Crew Bus 2.0 BiTDi SWB 4MOTION 132kW R410 800Crew Bus 2.0 BiTDi SWB DSG 132kW R397 800Crew Bus 2.0 BiTDi SWB 4MOTION DSG 132kW R428 300Crew Bus 2.0 TDi LWB 75kW R347 300Crew Bus 2.0 BiTDi LWB 132kW R388 300Crew Bus 2.0 BiTDi LWB 4MOTION 132kW R418 800KOMBIKombi 2.0 TDi SWB 75kW R408 400Kombi 2.0 TDi SWB 103kW R441 000Kombi 2.0 TDi LWB 75kWR416 400Kombi 2.0 TDi LWB 103kW R449 000Kombi 2.0 TDi LWB DSG 103kW R466 500CARAVELLECaravelle 2.0 BiTDi 132kW R537 800Caravelle 2.0 BiTDi DSG 132kW R555 300
Caravelle 2.0 BiTDi DSG 4MOTION 132kW R585 800
