Volkswagen Multivan test drive since 2003 minivan

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VW Multivan has long and firmly settled in the minds of the townsfolk as a typical representative of a commercial fleet. In another hypostasis, they do not even consider him. And for the most part, no one even thinks that this car can be even more homely than many universally recognized family minivans.
Honestly, before a personal acquaintance with Multivan, the author of these lines would be extremely skeptical to the last statement, but VW is able to destroy the current stereotype literally in a matter of minutes. Especially if it is a all -wheel drive Pan Americana. The external data here, of course, has nothing to do with it: the bus is like a bus, large, solid, but ... German, and therefore the most strict and unemotional. In the same vein, it is worth perceiving the salon. This is the kingdom of exemplary Volkswagen ergonomics, from a functional point of view almost impeccable, but at the same time madly gray and therefore extremely boring. However, this applies only to the first row intended for the driver and one of the passengers. I will not say that the space behind the front sites is better decorated, but the fact that Multivan is able to offer passengers ... In our case, these were four comfortable chairs (standard equipment) and an extremely unusual central armrest (option). What is special? Almost nothing, if you do not take into account the fact that the second row of seats can be elementarily deployed against the move without removing from the mounts! To do this, just use a couple of levers. The armrest, in fact, turned out to be a rather roomy boxing, which also easily turns into a round table with retractable cup holders. Among other things, each of these elements can be installed in any part of the passenger salon, and right in motion, the benefit of the body height allows even adults to move without problems. In general, even a twelve-hour voyage to Pan America is transferred without any damage to the psyche and health. However, the wallet will not suffer much from trans -regional walkways. VW Multivan Pan America is equipped by a 2.5-liter 174-horsepower TDI, on average consuming about 9 liters of diesel fuel per hundred. The box is one 6-speed mechanics, but for a heavy all-wheel drive bus this is the best option: the first gearboxes are short, but already on the third VW can easily move around the city, but the rest of the steps, in fact, are needed only on a highway or high-speed line.
By the way, the KP settings are also designed to partially compensate for the absence of a lower row in Pan Americana. The short first gear, coupled with the traction TDI, allows you to move relatively confidently even by blurry clay. The main thing at the same time is extremely neat to supply gas. In principle, the pedals can not touch at all: the issuing 400 Nm motor is able to independently pull the car without fatal slippers.
Vladimir Zhidkov
 

Source: Mkobil magazine [June/2009]