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VW piles on the nostalgia: New Caravelle, Kombi in SA

  • Range of engines and derivatives
  • Higher equipment levels
  • 5 or 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG
  • Short and long-wheelbase

Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape - Volkswagen has launched its sixth-generation T-Series (new Caravelle, Kombi and Transporter) in South Africa.

What's the difference between the three models? VW explains that its T-Series comprises of a Panel Van, Pick-Up and Crew/Bus; passenger carriers designed for private use (Caravelle and Kombi) and the recreational vehicle (California Beach – available late in 2016).

The Transporter is available in Panel Van, Pick-Up (single or double cab) and Crew Bus. All versions without side windows are fitted as standard with a sliding door along the passenger side.

Gallery: 2015 Caravelle / Kombi

The Kombi is offered in two equipment lines, Trendline and Comfortline and for the first time the Caravelle will be available in two specifications (Comfortline and Highline).

What's new:


POWER

The engine range remains unchanged from the previous model, with the line-up comprising of 2.0 TDI and 2.0 BiTDI engines with the power outputs ranging from 75kW to 132kW.

The Transporter Pick-Up and Panel Van are offered with the 75kW and 132kW engines. The Transporter Crew Bus is available with an option of 75kW, 103kW or 132kW units. The Kombi can be powered with either 75kW or 103kW engine while the Caravelle is offered with a single 132kW engine.

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The 75kW engine is mated to a five-speed manual while 103kW can be coupled to either six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG auto. The Caravelle is only available with DSG transmission. The T-Series is also sold with Volkswagen’s 4MOTION four-wheel drive.


Engines

2 litre TDI 75kW: Pick-up, panel van, crew bus and Kombi.

The 2 litre TDI is capable of 75kW/250Nm. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.3 litres/100km.

2 litre TDI 103kW: Panel van, crew bus and Kombi.

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The four-cylinder turbodiesel is capable of 103kW/340Nm, enabling the T-series to reach 172 km/h. The 103kW engine can be coupled with six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG.

TDI with 132kW: Pick-Up (double cab), crew bus and Caravelle.

The 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo produces 132kW/400Nm and can be coupled with front-wheel or 4MOTION all-wheel drive and a seven-speed DSG transmission.

Price comparison: VW Caravelle vs Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Price comparison: VW Kombi vs Hyundai H1

Price comparison: VW Transporter vs Toyota Quantum

VW piles on the nostalgia with it's new Kombi/Caravelle advert:

History of T-Series in SA

The previous T5 sold about 2 million units (over 23 400 sold in South Africa) in eleven years. Nearly 12 million vehicles have been sold worldwide since the first model was introduced 65 years ago.

In South Africa about 280 000 units have been sold since the first unit rolled off the assembly line at the Uitenhage manufacturing factory in 1955. Type 2 was one of the first models to be produced in Uitenhage. The production of the T-Series in South Africa ended in 2002.

WATCH: Power sliding doors at the touch of a button on the new Caravelle


Prices

Transporter Pick-Up
2.0 TDI Single Cab Pick Up LWB 75kW - R293 900
2.0 TDI Double Cab Pick Up LWB 75kW - R332 800
2.0 BiTDI Double Cab Pick Up LWB 132kW - R409 800

Transporter Panel Van
2.0 TDI Panel Van SWB 75kW - R362 600
2.0 TDI Panel Van LWB 75kW - R370 600
2.0 TDI Sport Van SWB DSG 103kW - R432 600

Transporter Crew Bus
2.0 TDI Crew Bus SWB 75kW - R421 100
2.0 TDI Crew Bus LWB 75kW - R429 100
2.0 TDI Crew Bus LWB DSG 103kW -  R464 400
2.0 BiTDI Crew Bus SWB DSG 132kW - R489 400
2.0 BiTDI Crew Bus SWB 4MOTION DSG 132kW-R519 900
2.0 BiTDI Crew Bus LWB 4MOTION DSG 132kW- R527 900

Kombi
2.0 TDI Kombi Trendline 75kW - R481 800
2.0 TDI Kombi Trendline DSG 103kW - R513 300
2.0 TDI Kombi Comfortline 103kW - R566 400
2.0 TDI Kombi Comfortline DSG 103kW - R583 900                                  
2.0 TDI Kombi Comfortline LWB DSG 103kW - R591 900

Caravelle
2.0 BiTDI Caravelle Comfortline DSG 132kW - R738 300
2.0 BiTDI Caravelle Comfortline 4MOTION DSG 132kW - R770 800
2.0 BiTDI Caravelle Highline DSG 132kW - R816 300
2.0 BiTDI Caravelle Highline 4MOTION DSG 132kW - R848 800

Service and Warranty

Kombi, Caravelle models are sold with a three- year or 120 000km manufacturer warranty and five-year or 60 000km Automotion Maintenance Plan.

Transporter models are sold with a two-year or unlimited km manufacturer warranty and three-year or 60 000km Automotion Maintenance Plan.

All models have a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty and 15 000km service intervals.

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