T6 Transporter/Multivan/Caravelle

[Zaskar]

what are your thoughts on the italian LDV?

[Umai Naa!!]

Aren't they Chinese copies of a British thing?

[Tornado T5]

I was at a dealer today doing some preliminary investigation. I have a 2012 crewvan and i want to get a new one. Turns out the caravelle is cheaper even with 9 seats and all the fluffy comforts.
The 2012 crewvan was perfect for me, as it had air con in the rear. The new 2017 crewvan has it as an $2000 optional extra. Standard of course on the caravelle.

the issue of manual vs auto is also solved by VW offering auto or auto. do i look elsewhere like Vito or Iload?

I've been dragging my buying "wallet" for months now.
The first thing I noticed is T6 has better build quality and finish then Vito. Check out rear door wiring on the Vito and you'll see electrical tape wrapped around the exposed wiring to the inside of the doors and some trim fit is not as good..on a $$ Merc lol.
Vito is euro6 already, T6 only on the tdi450 and VW Aust hasn't stated which engines they'll put in T6 in 2nd half of this year when euro6 is compulsary on all new builds.
Vito offers 140kW/7spd auto on all models, T6 CrewVan only has tdi340 dsg (for now?) and no 4motion.
Vito CrewCab has far better seat config for 2nd row then T6 CrewVan, 70:30 split fold.
Vito has twin sliding doors standard.
T6 Crewvan comes in short and long wheel base. Vito Crewcab is mid-wheel base only.
I think the VW drives slightly better but in slippery condition's or heavy towing Vito's rwd would be better unless you option 4motion.
And yes, the Caravelle is cheaper then a mildly optioned Transporter but has 9 seats, twin sliding doors, full glass all round, 2nd a/c, full interior trim lining and 2nd row airbags....I'm astounded as to why??
iLoad is smaller, decent power, Crewvan option but cargo space is just a standard pallet size behind 2nd row seats, too small for me. iload is nearing end of current model's life.
If you don't mind the power output of the tdi340 and don't need wing doors, a Caravelle is great value.

[Tornado T5]

Aren't they Chinese copies of a British thing?

Bought out by Chinese owners, not sure if production shifted.

[Sunny43.5]

Yes production was shifted to China lock stock and barrel , I remember reading about this a few years ago . apparently the LDV was a hugely popular model back in the UK this bit from Wiki ..
LDV Group Limited, formerly Leyland DAF Vans, was a British van manufacturer, based in the Ward End area of Birmingham.
Historically part of Rover Group and Leyland DAF, it was latterly a wholly owned subsidiary of the Russian GAZ group. Owing to the worldwide recession and a lack of long-term investment, production was halted at LDV's Birmingham factory in December 2008.
After a series of failed rescue attempts in 2009, the assets of the company were sold by administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers to China Venture's firm Eco Concept, on 15 October 2009.[1]

[Transporter]

Go to the VW UK configuration site and you'll fall over in disbelief at what is available and how limiting VWAust is.

Well, if VW Australia want to limit us only to DSG and stop bringing the vans with manual gearbox, then perhaps we should and I definitely will be looking elsewhere for the van.

I've already roadtested the new Iveco, which looks worthy alternative, has fantastic turning circle, they have plenty of configurations available, the smallest one is 7.3 cubic meters load space and only fraction bigger than LWB T5, longitudinal drivetrain arrangement, 100L fuel tank (75L on 4x4) and no DPF. It also comes with satnav as std. bigger 3.0L t.diesel with 205ps and 470Nm can be had with 6sp manual or 8speed ZF auto (RWD only) which has a better reputation than the DSG and it will be easier to sell after 5 or 10 years than the VW with the DSG. The warranty is 3 years 200,000km.

[Sunny43.5]

Stop it Transporter your making my mouth water !

[Tornado T5]

Well, if VW Australia want to limit us only to DSG and stop bringing the vans with manual gearbox, then perhaps we should and I definitely will be looking elsewhere for the van.

I've already roadtested the new Iveco, which looks worthy alternative, has fantastic turning circle, they have plenty of configurations available, the smallest one is 7.3 cubic meters load space and only fraction bigger than LWB T5, longitudinal drivetrain arrangement, 100L fuel tank (75L on 4x4) and no DPF. It also comes with satnav as std. bigger 3.0L t.diesel with 205ps and 470Nm can be had with 6sp manual or 8speed ZF auto (RWD only) which has a better reputation than the DSG and it will be easier to sell after 5 or 10 years than the VW with the DSG. The warranty is 3 years 200,000km.

I'll admit I looked at the Iveco solely on your previous post Transporter. While the looks take some getting used to it does offer a very worthy alternative in the large van segment. Sadly the lowest height variant is 2200mm (T6=1990mm) and 5128mm (T6 lwb=5290mm) so it's actually shorter than a T6 lwb. The overall height sadly means I couldn't enter many CBD carparks. The "non-dsg" 8 speed auto seems great in all reviews although the all-new Crafter is getting a similar type of box iirc....wonder why.

I know T6 sales are up but do you think VW Australia has had any feedback from previuos owners like us that have had multiple vans but cannot commit to a new one as easily as in past purchases? They seem to be selling mostly the Runner and the margins cannot be great compared to what some us us looking at several options and higher spec would spend.

PS. the Iveco's 470Nm @1400-3000rpm (T6 tdi450=450Nm @ 1,400-2,400rpm if it becomes available in Transporters) is a delivery van driver's diesel fed dream

[Sunny43.5]

I was reading a report in the paper yesterday on the latest V6 Amarok selling at around $60 k they went to great lengths to say that VW and their dealers are making a motza on these as they according to reports are as cheap as chips to build , makes you wonder about the Transporter range doesn't it . How hard can it be to build a box body over a chassis with an engine gear box 4 wheels and two seats , seems sort of lopsided when you see better equipped vehicles in various configurations for a hell of a lot less bucks .

[Kiels3927]

Isn'twasn't Transporter built in Germany & Amarok in South America or some place?

[Transporter]

Stop it Transporter your making my mouth water !

Wait until you try and see the Iveco's front bench seat.

[Bryn23]

if Iveco did an auto with low range 4x4 6 mtr van it would be a hot seller fro a campervan conversion

There is the 4x4 sprinter, but its way to $$$$, well for me it is.

[Zaskar]

Ive been told Amarok was built in SthAm, but moving back to Germany later this year.

Isn'twasn't Transporter built in Germany & Amarok in South America or some place?

[Tornado T5]

Just as I was ready to negotiate on a T6, Merc go and release a LWB Vito Crewcab (Merc speak for Crewvan).

[Sunny43.5]

I thought Mercedes already had both SWB and LWB already for many years or is this in a new shape ?