VW’s venerable busses have a proud heritage in South Africa that stretches back over 60 years. The very first of its type was sold locally and the hardy T1 became a staple of the South African landscape. Many of those vehicles are still running today and fetch top dollar when they change hands. Over six generations the Volksiebus, as it is affectionately known, has grown and progressed to the vehicle we have today. The latest generation, called T6, recently emerged from the surgeon’s rooms with a new appearance and a raft of new technologies, too. We attended the SA national media ride and drive event to learn about the refreshed VW Transporter range, which consists of the Pick Up in single- and double-cab options, Panel Van, Crew Bus, Kombi, Caravelle and California, and to drive the Caravelle version.
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New appearance
The revised Volkswagen Transporter range, called T6.1, has new styling treatment on the front end. A new intake grill is flanked by new headlamps, the two connected by body-width brightwork. The headlamps feature LED daytime running lights; incidentally the headlights can also be LED, model-dependent. Six newly designed wheels, six new exterior colours and seven new two-tone paintwork options are also part of the new offering. VW didn’t stop there, however, and turned its attention to the interior of the range as well. Among the changes inside are a new digital instrument cluster, an optional wireless charging dock, multi-directional air vents and a new steering wheel. The infotainment screens on Caravelle and California are large format and feature satellite navigation as standard.
Safety systems
Standard safety systems on the VW Transporter range make it the safest in its segment. Among the systems on offer are Electronic Stability Control (ESC), automatic post-collision braking, hill start assist, hill descent assist on all-wheel-drive equipped variants, tyre pressure monitors, lane change assist, cruise control and parking assist. Models higher up in the range include side protection, manoeuvre braking function, rear traffic alert and crosswind assist.
On the road
At the ride and drive event hosted in the Eastern Cape, VW SA laid on a relaxed driving route that took us along the coastline and then inland through some of the more scenic arterial roads of the interior. There was just one derivative of the range to sample, the Caravelle. With no real hurry to reach our destination my co-pilot and I were happy to set the cruise control and just enjoy the scenery. On the coastal run north from Port Elizabeth the wind was, as usual, howling and the T6.1’s standard crosswind assist kept the slab-sided Caravelle pointing straight with minimal driver input. It does so by gently applying the brakes to maintain a straight trajectory.
The standard automatic DSG transmission is best left to its own devices as it works in unison to extract the best from the 2,0-litre turbodiesel engine. In the Caravelle the engine delivers 146 kW of power and 450 N.m of peak torque available between 1 400 and 2 400 r/min. There are other powertrain options in the VW Transporter range (see below). From our high vantage point and without having to concern ourselves with the controls too much we got to enjoy the vistas of the Eastern Cape, and the Sarah Baartman District, slowly wending our way through and past towns such as Nananga, Colchester and Somerset East.
Dirt tracking
Our overnight stop was at a game lodge on the very edge of the Karoo, which meant the final quarter of the journey was spent on gravel and dirt roads of varying quality. On these tracks, the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system provided a level of surefootedness that meant we could travel without fear of spearing into a flock of unsuspecting dinn… err, sheep. Again, from a lofty driving position we had a good view of the road ahead and the unique landscape. When our drive ended, over two and a half hours after starting off, it didn’t feel as such. The driving experienced was relaxed and easy-going, and that is really the Caravelle’s best trick, the ability to cover distance without taxing its occupants.
Summary
The past time of cross-country travel seems to have diminished over the last few decades, which is sad in a country such as ours with a wealth of natural splendour. Low-cost air travel, high fuel prices and busier schedules have rendered the aimless road trip a luxury that few can afford. Vehicles such as the Kombi, Volksiebus and Caravelle; call it what you will, have also made way for SUVs. We imagine jumping into the Caravelle with half a dozen buddies to enjoy a South Africa road trip is a great way to spend a summer.
Prices (as of 1 September 2020, models only on sale from Jan 2021)
T6.1 Pick Up
Single Cab 2,0 TDI 81 kW LWB R412 800
Single Cab 2,0 TDI 110 kW 4Motion DSG LWB R466 100
Double Cab 2,0 TDI 81 kW LWB R485 300
Double Cab 2,0 BiTDI 146 kW 4Motion DSG LWB R590 800
T6.1 Panel Van
2,0 TDI 81 kW LWB R530 600
2,0 TDI 110 kW DSG LWB R568 700
T6.1 Crew Bus
2,0 TDI 81 kW LWB (10-seater) R612 000
2,0 TDI 110 kW 4Motion DSG LWB (5-seater) R639 000
2,0 BiTDI 146 kW 4Motion DSG (5-seater) R710 500
2,0 BiTDI 146 kW 4Motion DSG LWB (8-seater) R752 700
T6.1 Kombi
2,0 TDI 81 kW Trendline R697 700
2,0 TDI 110 kW DSG Trendline R726 000
2,0 BiTDI 146 kW 4Motion DSG Trendline Plus R871 800
T6.1 Caravelle
Highline 2,0 BiTDI 146kW 4Motion DSG R1 149 400
T6.1 California
California Coast 2,0 BiTDI 146kW 4Motion DSG R1 196 500
Pick Up, Panel Van and Crew Bus version come standard with a three-year/60 000 km service plan and two-year/unlimited km manufacturer warranty. The Kombi, Caravelle and California come standard with a five-year/60 000km maintenance plan and a three-year/120 000km manufacturer warranty. The entire range comes standard with a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.
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