Our Vans: Volkswagen T6 Transporter 2.0 TSI
12 February 2018: City slicker – T6 Transporter earns its stripes as a short-drop van
The Details
| Current mileage | 1009 |
|---|---|
| Claimed economy | 31.0mpg |
| Actual economy | 24.0mpg |
The reputation of diesels has taken something of a battering over the past couple of years, with everything from a global emissions scandal to a public health crisis being levelled squarely at the doors of diesel van drivers. However, while Volkswagen appears to have put its house in order when it comes to dodgy emissions, diesel particulate filters (commonly known as DPFs) remain an ever-present issue for city-based van operators.
In short, a DPF needs 15 miles to operate correctly. And if you don't let it complete its regeneration cycle it'll eventually clog up and give you some rather expensive bills to be cleaned or replaced. This is where petrol vans, like the 2.0 TSI T6 Transporter, come into play; not only is it DPF-free, but it's also exempt from any pollution charges because the petrol engine emits less harmful NOx gases.
As a short-run van, the petrol Transporter is excellent. Engine noise levels are always low and there's no shortage of pace, with 280Nm of torque flowing from low-down the rev range. The T6's nimble handling make it perfectly apt for dicing through heavy traffic too, while the large door mirrors make it easy to spot cyclists or scooters at the sides.
As you might expect, running costs rise as you restrict the T6 to low-speed urban and city streets. In fact, after two weeks of mostly city runs in Cambridge and London, the 2.0 TSI is averaging at a flat 24mpg - which is slightly higher than the 23.2mpg Volkswagen claim for the urban fuel consumption.
The van's optional navigation system isn't cheap at £1000, but seldom misses a beat with great directions and live traffic updates
The slight vibration issue continues to persist, with the steering wheel appearing to shake ever so slightly when driving along in a high gear and low revs or fully laden. It's not something I'd consider taking the van back to the dealer for, but I'm starting to think it might be a trait of a petrol engine in a medium size van. Some drivers might not even notice it, given its subtle nature.
During my city tours, the optional navigation system has saved my bacon on more than a few occasions. Last week, whilst navigating North London, it helped me dodge a lengthy delay on the North Circular by highlighting traffic problems. The route directions are also some of the best of any factory-fitted navigation system; but it remains to be seen how many operators will be happy to spend £1080 to have it fitted to their vehicles.
As a workhorse, the Transporter's load bay is practical and suitable for boxes, bikes, equipment and tools. One of my jaunts around Cambridge involved shifting bags of sand and cement, but the van's handling remains safe and predictable with a one-tonne payload. The rubber floor coverings also make it easy keep the interior clean, with a quick wipe over with a wet cloth.
Likewise, the optional front and rear parking sensors make it simple to fit the van into a tight space, while the auto hill hold prevents clutch burn out when you’re pulling away from an incline or crawling through slow moving traffic. However the lack of hooks for coats and shopping bags remains a slight annoyance; with everything sliding onto the floor as the moment navigate a small roundabout.
« Earlier: Petrol provides plenty of punch for our T6 Transporter Later: Petrol vans – what are the alternatives to the Transporter TSI? »
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