Test drive Volkswagen T6 Caravelle: the pipe dream of a real Belarusian. Test drive Volkswagen Caravelle T6: Friendly company Dimensions of Volkswagen Caravelle T6

For the sake of objectivity, I will note that outside, and inside, no revolution happened. Everything that T6 has experienced is more likely to be a deep restyling. Just look at the photo above and tell me I'm wrong. On the other hand, if, as they say, “people are eating up,” why reinvent the wheel? This, however, was almost always the case, but somehow, in the 65 years after the release of the first Bulli, the new cab driver became what it is. And yet, in order not to take too much of the blame for the manufacturer, I took the Caravella in the Highline version, which was previously absent, for testing. Here is our short-wheelbase van (in the long-wheelbase version +40 cm between the C-pillar and rear axle) with eight seats (the maximum possible number for a short wheelbase is nine) looks in a different light.

Highline is when it's on the doorstep dealership you receive an unexpected text message about your lost 13th salary (aka bonus). This is when you initially wanted an arranged marriage, and the relatives of your future wife turned out to be dollar millionaires, not ruble ones. In a word, when you can and should decide on something more than you expected.

Firstly, because it's beautiful. There are full headlights, which in addition to aesthetics adds a more interesting controlled light. Here you have not only cornering lights, but also an intelligent beam high beam, which does not blind oncoming traffic. I drove 700 km from Moscow to Minsk - it works like clockwork. And there is no need to change light bulbs every season - LEDs last ten times longer than traditional halogens! Separately amusing is the speed of operation of the distant one when you need to blink.

No, but what if only the top-end owners have fun? There are also 17-inch ones alloy wheels Cascavel (we had Devonport for an extra charge), and tinted windows (by the way, why do you also need side curtains in the cabin?), and electric sliding doors on the sides. In severe frosts or simply because it is not needed, the electric drive can be turned off. But you feel how the degree is growing: sliders on both sides, and even with a drive?! Mmm!

Beauty continues in the salon. The front panel of the Highline has been replaced with the one in the new Multivan - with plastic inserts coated with a “piano lacquer” finish. Beautiful, but impractical: fingerprints are visible to forensic experts with the naked eye. On the right side there is an additional upper storage compartment with a lid, where for some reason the USB connector for connecting a smartphone has gone. No, really, why make a niche for storing a mobile phone in the central part if the cable for connecting to multimedia will have to be dragged from a nearby drawer? But instead of a 5-inch display for an extra charge (an extra charge even in the Highline package, Karl!) in the test car there is a Composition Media system with an 8-inch screen. We've already seen this one on. Under the bottom edge there are sensors that react to the approach of a hand and “awaken” a hidden menu on the screen.

Otherwise, the multimedia system would be very ordinary, if not for one circumstance: using the cable that I mentioned earlier, you can connect a smartphone to it via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto get a stripped-down version of your mobile phone right on the central display. I tried CarPlay - no problems, but Android Auto did not want to start with any of the three tested devices. Mysticism!

And don’t even think about whispering to your wife about your mother-in-law sitting behind you. On her side is a listening device in the form of a driver's voice amplifier. A microphone is installed in the front part of the cabin, which transmits what is said to the passengers. However, this function can be disabled, but you should not lose vigilance.

The second row seats are separate - all with Isofix fastenings. To increase the useful volume of the luggage compartment, you can remove both rows or fold their backs into a flat plane.

In general, the Caravelle, even though it is a commercial vehicle, is crammed with all sorts of aids and assistants in a way that many passenger cars have never dreamed of. Speaking of sleep. Rest Assist ensures you don't fall asleep behind the wheel and encourages you to take a break during a long drive. Well, if you have already begun to nod off, then City Emergency Braking at speeds of up to 30 km/h will help you slow down in front of an obstacle.

However, Transporter derivatives are preferred not for their gadgets, but for their well-tuned passenger driving manners coupled with the practicality of a truck/bus. This is where they didn’t break anything. If you want to carry people, please: four rows of seats (in a long wheelbase) can accommodate up to 12 people. And with what comfort! Three-zone climate control with a separate control unit above the heads of second-row passengers is always at your service. By the way, the second row consists of separate seats (swivel ones remained the prerogative of the Multivan) with Isofix fastenings, while the side ones are raised to allow passengers to pass back. And if you decide to start transporting goods, with a slight movement of your hand (for the rear sofa you will need the hands of a weightlifter), we remove the seats and get cubic meters of usable space. Just don't stain the carpet! However, it is not necessary to remove the seats - in some cases it will be enough to fold the backrests almost flat. back door It can be either double-leaf or lifting, as in our case, and with an electric closer in a premium style.

biTDI engine (180 hp, mounted transversely and tilted at 8 degrees)

From a driving point of view, it's hard to complain about the Caravelle. And here I am again talking about Highline. Under the hood is the same turbodiesel, now mounted transversely, with the same performance (180 hp, 400 Nm). Unless the peak torque bar is at your disposal 100 rpm earlier - from 1500 to 4000 rpm. Irrelevant. “Eats” still little: on the highway, on winter tires, in the rain, and even with a full load - about 8 l/100 km. So on a full tank (80 l) you can go very far. For greater savings, all Caravelles are equipped with a start-stop system.

This T6 accelerates better than golf-class hatchbacks both from a standstill and on the move, even in the front-wheel drive version, which we tested. The seven-speed DSG goes through the gears, although it was noticed in minor hooliganism. Are you approaching a red traffic light, and then suddenly you need to accelerate again when the green light turns on? You will inevitably get a push. It works in eight cases out of ten, as we were able to establish, between second and third gears.

The steering wheel, inherited from the Golf, has a hydraulic booster - in this matter the Germans still honor traditions. From lock to lock, I measured 3.25 turns, which makes it easy and relaxed to maneuver in confined spaces (the turning radius is 5.95 m - only half a meter more than the same). Outward visibility is standard, although side mirrors single-section, unlike some competitors.

But as the ride progressed, the driving experience changed. The point here is new suspension DCC. The electronically controlled shock absorbers, after pressing a button on the center console, follow one of three operating algorithms: comfortable, normal and sport. There were some rough edges here too. The electronics “grab” the shock absorbers rather harshly - as a result, we get an imitation of a breakdown (characteristic knocking) in a seemingly harmless place. So, I rode mostly in standard mode.

And now about the sad stuff. I don’t know why it was necessary, in the presence of a Multivan, designed for transportation in style, to release a version of the Caravelle that was close in spirit to it, but from a price point of view it turned out to be an incident. Because our test subject costs as much as 3,798,600 rubles. No, of course, the Highline version is initially offered at a price of 2,762,200 rubles, but, as in the case of the premium, it turned out like this: not everything that shines is free. If you want a packaged car, you can forget about the basic price tag even for the top version. Headlight washers, sliding windows in the slider doors and a rear view camera are all an extra charge. And yet, you only need to ride the Caravelle Highline once to fall in love with it forever. Marriage of convenience?

The truth is that for 3.8 million rubles. there is still room for the eyes to run. If you want premium sedan, you can take a closer look at

What kind of car does the average Belarusian need? Economical. Spacious. Inexpensive. Here are three whales. The new generation T6 could well become the ideal vehicle for our compatriot, if not for the price. Good options Multivans cost as much as an apartment in Minsk. Caravelle is cheaper, but you still have to save up for a long time. Therefore, Belarusian families often buy used Teshki, which are several times cheaper than the original cost. New ones are often purchased “for the company.” Onliner.by tested the first Volkswagen T6 to arrive in our country. Large families, get your wallets ready! In seven years...

Volkswagen has the sin of passing off a deep restyling as a new generation. We have already seen this with the Passat B7 (in fact, it is a well-updated B6). A similar situation occurred with T6. The platform, engines, transmissions and even half of the body parts of the “te-six” are no different from the T5. The Germans changed all the optics, redrew the front part, moved the outside mirrors a little lower and enlarged the rear window. The interior has changed a little more significantly. The line has added interesting Six Generation versions with a two-tone body and retro wheels (hello, Beetle). That's all, actually.

We are testing the regular (in the sense of a single-color) version of the Caravelle with a top-end 2-liter turbodiesel (180 hp, 400 Nm), 7-speed DSG and all-wheel drive, which uses fifth-generation Haldex (its predecessor had the fourth). Eight seats, long wheelbase. Price - more than 70 thousand dollars. Let's go!

Volkswagen says that the T6 is last car"old school Transporters". T7 will debut relatively soon - in 2020 and will be completely different. It turns out that the T family changes radically with every fourth generation. See for yourself: T1, T2 and T3 were rear-wheel drive inexpensive minivans with a high margin of reliability and a rear-mounted engine. T4, T5 and now T6 are berries of a different variety. The engine is in the front. Drive - front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. High-tech turbo engines, robotic gearboxes with two clutches (there are also conventional automatic transmissions) and a bunch of expensive options have appeared. T7 will most likely be more “passenger-like”.

The rear window is now completely rectangular. It has become larger, but in passenger versions this has not improved visibility - the third row of seats makes it difficult to appreciate the increase in size

In the cabin, as mentioned above, the changes are more dramatic. Now there are more corners and “passenger” elements. T6 received a new one, very comfortable steering wheel, a heavily redesigned center console, a more compact “screw” for the gear lever and improved lateral support for all seats. The window regulator adjustment unit is now located on a small “rise” of the door, but you still need to reach for it. In general, the T6 has retained its “bus” seating position. The steering wheel, pedals and placement of the gear lever will not let you forget that you are in a minibus, which was created primarily for commercial needs (in Mercedes V-Class, by the way, it doesn’t feel like that). The landing is strictly vertical. Of course, the back of the driver's seat can be tilted back, but then there is not enough range of reach for the steering wheel. And the pedals are located directly under your feet, and not placed forward (as in cars).

On the test car, despite the abundance of options, the simplest front panel is made of oak plastic. The same will be available on cheap versions of the T6 Transporter. In more expensive versions of Caravelle, as well as in various modifications Multivan all these glove compartments and containers will be closed with lids. There are cup holders on both sides of the front panel

The car is equipped with a multimedia system that supports synchronization with iPhone and Android devices. We managed to connect the iPhone the first time. You can call, read/write SMS and use a card... He doesn’t understand voice commands the first time

We are testing the passenger version of the Caravelle with three rows of seats and two sliding doors (optional on the left side). If previously an additional door was ordered on the driver’s side, the car was deprived of a third seat in the second row (so that one could climb into the third row). Now this chair can fold, just like the right one. The third row can only be folded entirely. As before, all seats (except the front ones, of course) are completely dismantled and left luggage compartment with a flat floor.

The back door opens wide. The opening, as before, is not square. Wheel arches are in the way

The most affordable versions of the T6 are equipped with a 2-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 102 hp. With. This car is equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission. The 140-horsepower version of the same diesel engine boasts a 6-speed manual transmission. The test car has the same 2-liter TDI under the hood, but in a bi-turbo version. Double supercharging made it possible to squeeze 180 hp out of the “four”. With. and 400 Nm. The gearbox is a 7-speed DSG robot. This is the most powerful diesel engine, available on our market, so an empty “bus” runs perfectly with such an engine. We had no doubt about this, but potential buyers are more concerned about the fuel consumption of this car.

For the experiment, we once accelerated to a hundred with the gas “to the floor” (if you’re interested - 12 seconds). The rest of the time we drove in “civilian” modes (after all, we are not testing a Golf GTI). At the end of the day, the on-board computer showed 8.5 liters per 100 km (the manufacturer promises about 6.5 liters). We drove mainly on the highway at a speed of 90-120 km/h. There were almost always three people in the cabin. We wanted to load the car full at the airport (to give people a free ride to Minsk), but local taxi drivers were not happy with our idea and “gave” us only one passenger. It (along with luggage) added 110-120 kg to us. According to rough measurements, this increased consumption by about 0.1 liters.

The press release states that the manufacturer has slightly modified the T6 suspension and even added the ability to adjust the shock absorbers (sport/comfort) with a button on the front panel. We didn’t have such an option, but even without it the car handles the road well. The suspension seemed a little “rough”. Like Volkswagen passenger cars, this “bus” is intended for driving on autobahns rather than along our country roads. On high speed The side wind makes itself felt.

Large overall dimensions minibuses do not interfere with easy movement around the city and parking in tight parking lots. You begin to feel the dimensions of the car after the first 10 km. Due to its high seating position, the T6 has better visibility than any SUV. The “bugs” of the rear mirrors are practically devoid of “blind” spots. We drove about 200 km during the day, so we can hardly evaluate the T6 as a car for long-distance travel. But the owners of the T5 assure that you don’t get tired of driving this minibus even 1000 km a day. There is no reason to doubt - the car is truly comfortable.

In the segment where the T6 operates, Volkswagen has been a leader in our market for several years now. Today (the first 8 months of 2015) the manufacturer has a 32 percent market share of compact buses and vans. But in recent years this figure has been decreasing. For comparison, in 2013, Volkswagen's share here was 80%, in 2014 - 51%. Closest competitor - Ford Custom- today has 27%. Mercedes (V-Class + Vito) - 16%. At the same time, Volkswagen is the most expensive. Thanks to the fall of the European currency, commercial Mercedes models They have dropped well in price and are very serious competition to the T6. For comparison: the basic V-Class costs about 45 thousand euros, and for the T6 Multivan (more equipped than the V-Class) they ask from 56.7 thousand dollars (that’s 50+ thousand euros). Although if you compare similar configurations, then the V-Class will be even a little more expensive (there is now a special price for Multivane). The Caravelle in the “te-six” body costs from 45 thousand dollars, but its competitor Vito is cheaper. The Ford line is the most affordable in the segment, but the Custom family has no direct rival to the luxury Multivane/V-Class. But it’s the “Multivans” that Belarusian families dream of! It’s a pity, not every head of a family can afford such a car.

We express our gratitude to the Volkswagen importer in Belarus
for the car provided for the test

Reprinting text and photographs of Onliner.by is prohibited without the permission of the editors. [email protected]

Most motorists attribute auto tuning to certain pleasant modifications. With it the car looks much more presentable than in standard version. And auto tuning often not only plays the role of visual decoration, but also improves various properties of the car. It is worth noting that the tuning intended for the Volkswagen Caravel 2015-2019 undoubtedly refreshes the design of the car.

Thresholds made of steel are in great demand; aluminum thresholds are also often ordered from us. Such parts protect the car from various third-party reactions.

Auto tuning can not only fulfill the task of decoration, but also bring benefits. Installing a towbar is a clear example of such auto-tuning. This part is needed so that the car can tow another vehicle or use a trailer.

Installation of body kit in Moscow

Perhaps the most famous car accessories are seat covers. Almost every motorist uses them, as the covers make life much easier and protect the leather of the seats from various scratches and dirt. The use of specialized covers for Volkswagen Caravel 2015-2019 is justified, since they are usually more comfortable compared to standard seats.

Interior mats are considered a necessary addition for every car. With their help, it is easy to avoid the effects of water and dirt on the skin. A trunk mat will keep your car clean.

The store works closely with domestic factories. It is worth noting that car accessories come strictly from manufacturers, without intermediaries. You can always find a large line of car accessories for any model on sale.

We have competent installers and other specialists on our staff; they can easily cope with virtually any accessory intended for Volkswagen Caravelle 2015-2019. Installation work is offered at excellent prices.

Answering this question, first of all, it is worth deciding on the name. Many automotive industry experts believe that the name T6 is not entirely correct and propose calling the new generation of minibuses VW T5+, because In fact, the car has not undergone any fundamental changes.

Brake system, suspension, wheelbase, transmission and engine - remained unchanged, only in the all-wheel drive version a new interaxle clutch appeared, which, in essence, does not affect technical specifications cars.

The changes affected mainly appearance- mounted panels, an electric drive for the 5th door, and LED headlights appeared on the body. Many potential buyers were surprised by the two-tone color (German tuning studios are very fond of this color), which was immediately nicknamed “nostalgic” due to its similarity with cars of the first generations.

When designing the T6, engineers took into account one of the main mistakes made in the models previous generations and increased visibility by increasing the area rear window and installing external glass slightly lower.

How has the interior and interior changed?

The interior of Volkswagen minibuses has been a model of convenience and ergonomics for many years. If we talk about the T5 generation, only the Transporter and Caravelle can boast of a comfortable interior, and the Multivan interior looked clearly unfinished. In the T6 series, this drawback is almost completely eliminated. The interior of all minibuses contains panels (glossy) covering niches, as well as touchscreen color screens. Even in models with basic equipment, the quality of finish has become much better.

The seating position has remained unchanged since the T5, despite the fact that the driver’s seat has several options for adjusting the seat and steering wheel, the reach of the steering wheel is still insufficient. This disadvantage is especially important for those drivers who drive long distances. Thus, the designers did not pay attention to the main complaint of VW minibus drivers and did not eliminate it.

But the engineers listened to the opinions of the passengers and took into account all their wishes. The middle row of seats in the T6 2015 series are three separate seats that can be folded/unfolded. If necessary, they can be dismantled. The problem of landing in the third (rear) row has been elegantly solved. With one movement of your hand, you can fold them back and open access to the interior. IN expensive trim levels The sofa moves back and forth...

The rest of the T6’s interior is just as free; all seats can be folded and removed. There is a T6 version, which, thanks to the extended base, can accommodate 9 passengers according to the formula 2+2+2+3. This makes the T6 indispensable in corporate passenger transportation.

How have the driving characteristics changed?

The main change is the appearance of the DCC suspension, with shock absorbers that have variable stiffness. There is also an option to customize the base suspension. Like the T5, the T6 is very easy to drive and can handle various maneuvers, such as cornering at top speed. It is this quality that makes VW minibuses popular: the ability to operate on any surface and on roads of any tortuosity in any weather.

Amateur test drives showed that thanks to the installation of a new center coupling, the vehicle's cross-country ability slightly increased. The minibus moves equally well on a flat surface and on loose sand and ruts. All-wheel drive T6 models are equipped with a 180-horsepower bi-turbodiesel, which allows us to talk about the ultra-high cross-country ability of these models.

According to average indicators, T6 generation cars accelerate to 100 km/h in 10-12 seconds, which corresponds to the performance of passenger cars. The familiar rectangular shape of T6 minibuses allows you to feel the dimensions well, maneuver in traffic and park without problems.

Does new Volkswagen T6 disadvantages?

Of course, like any car, the T6 has some drawbacks. It has already been said above about the low driver comfort due to the steering wheel being too short. Technical disadvantage can be considered permanent job engine at maximum speed in all speed ranges from 10 to 110 km/h. The engine requires a higher gear to be engaged, and the DSG does this automatically, which causes vibrations.

Also, the disadvantages of this series include the cost of cars. Despite the fact that T6 began to be produced in Russia, the price of the car remains quite high even in the basic configuration. A car of a higher class will cost a very decent amount, and therefore we can say that VW has long ceased to be " people's car", ceasing to be a premium car.

The new Volkswagen T6, like the previous version, will be in demand at tuning studios for conversion into “Offices on Wheels”. There are already quite a lot of offers and tuning packages for this car from leading tuners.

Interior video of Volkswagen T6 Multivan 2015

Volkswagen has one small sin. It looks like they picked it up from their eastern colleagues. Not a sin, just a prank. Pass off restyling as new model. Actually, there is nothing wrong with this if we are talking about a modern and technologically advanced car, and updates occur almost once every six months. WITH Volkswagen Transporter T6, or rather, with its passenger version Caravelle, the same story happened. But not everything is so sad. What can please fans of automobile cultural trips with the new T6 2016-2017 model year, let's figure it out right now.


The standard minibus is equipped with an 84-horsepower diesel engine with a Start/Stop system. Other kits will include the following: power units:
diesel 102 hp;
diesel 150 hp;
diesel 204 hp;
petrol 150 hp;
petrol 204 hp
Thanks to the considerable efforts of the mechanics and engineers of this German car company, fuel consumption was reduced on average by as much as 15% compared to the same indicator as its predecessor.

Bus or station wagon? Caravel!

Transporters of all generations, used or new, were loved not for the music in the cabin or for the beautiful front panels. Not even the steering wheel of a Golf with power steering, as in the current generation. Feedback from owners about the Caravelle's easy handling was confirmed this year as well. Ride quality like passenger car, but practicality, the possibility of transforming the interior, spaciousness - like a minibus. Of course.

The new Volkswagen T6 with a long wheelbase can easily carry 12 people. And not just like that, but with such comfort that any passenger car would envy. Three-zone climate control is installed in the Caravelle’s cabin, although this only applies to older trim levels. IN inexpensive cars You'll have to make do with a regular air conditioner. And the climate control is controlled not from the front panel, but directly from the passenger compartment. The climate control unit is located on the ceiling and is located above the second row of seats. The seats are made separate, that is, they allow you to adjust the position of the backrests and pillows independently of each other. Swivel seats are not available for the Caravel.

They were left only for Multiven. But rear seats are equipped with sets for Isofix child seats. If necessary, the interior can be quite easily transformed into a cargo compartment. In this case, it is not at all necessary to remove the seats, just fold the backrests, but removing the seats completely is quite simple. Video: test drive Volkswagen Caravelle 2016-2017 A standard turbodiesel with 180 horsepower usually suits everyone completely. He is moderately dynamic and does not ask too much.

The passport promises that the fuel consumption of a turbodiesel on the highway will not exceed 6 liters, and many test drives confirm this figure. Urban consumption approaches 10 liters per hundred, but for this big car this is quite normal. Considering that the BVK holds 80 liters, you can travel quite far on it. For city traffic, a fuel saving and emission reduction system is provided. The start/stop system is installed optionally and can be activated either automatically or manually.

The new seven-speed robotic transmission also performed well on the Caravelle. DSG box. The car has excellent acceleration and the lack of dynamics will not be felt either in the city or on the highway. Volkswagen Caravelle 2016-2017 The power steering and the steering wheel itself, which the Caravelle got from the Golf, work perfectly, the car is easy and distinct to drive. What’s interesting is that the turning radius of the new T6 is 5.95 m, which is only 400 mm more than that of the Volkswagen Golf. In addition, the steering wheel is very short and informative. From lock to lock - just a little over three turns.

The car got the adaptive suspension from Multivan. The suspension algorithm is unique, but it is suitable for any driving conditions and any roads. Variable ground clearance within 40 mm from the base 193 mm allows you to choose the desired landing position, and, if necessary, go into a sporty, more rigid mode. Not everyone will like it, however, for good asphalt the suspension settings in Sport mode are quite convincing.

Caravelle is an expensive car, especially in the Trendline configuration. But it's the right investment. Almost like real estate. The fact is that the price of a used Caravelle is in no hurry to fall, and spare parts are always in price. Analysts automobile market they are talking about buying a T5 with a passenger compartment on secondary market possible, but not cheaper than 1.5-1.8 million. This applies to three-year-old beads. A five- or seven-year-old Volkswagen T5 in the Caravelle version can be bought up to a million, depending on the configuration. Diesel naturally aspirated modifications are in particular demand, and for some reason small turbocharged ones sell worst of all in Russia. gasoline engines. Despite their reliability and efficiency, the public is afraid of their manufacturability and demands on the quality of oil, filters, and gasoline

Options and prices.

The Volkswagen Caravelle T6 minibus is sold in Russia in three performance levels - Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. Basic equipment priced at 2,035,100 rubles, and the “top” option will cost 3,548,900 rubles excluding additional options. By default the car is equipped ABS systems and ESP, two airbags, semi-automatic climate control, factory “music”, electric windows for the front doors, heated and electrically adjustable side mirrors, a hill start assist system and other useful equipment.

Spacious and comfortable interior

The inside is free, spacious and beautiful. Dashboard done simply. The instrument panel is located under the wide visor. The screen is also located there on-board computer. The bright red lighting of the instruments looks very impressive. Most of it is occupied by the center console. It has noticeably become wider. In the foreground is a 7-inch color screen of the latest multimedia system. On either side of it there are two vertical deflectors. Below you can see a large number of buttons and switch keys. I really liked that the gear shift lever moved up.

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