Volkswagen Multivan test drive since 2003 minivan
Volkswagen Multivan T5: Generation Next
At the Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen announced the updated generation of the Multivan model: a luxurious minivan built on a modernized platform.Comfort of the luxury class
The updated VW Multivan is quite different from its predecessor - both the design of the body and the design of the interior. And although they are almost identical in profile, the overall design of the updated Multivan has become much more modern. Now in front, the car is similar to the top models of the VW Phaeton and VW Touareg. The general style of design and some design solutions are reminiscent of prestigious new products, which unequivocally hints at the belonging of Multivan to the group of the so-called Premium models, which already includes the above-mentioned luxury sedan and SUV.
The interior has become much luxurious, now inside the car really looks like a luxury minivan, and not just to an expensive version of a commercial minibus. The salon is designed again: soft panel contours, a gearbox lever in the form of a joystick on a tide of a central console, soft plastic, etc. Under the order, Multivan is equipped with many options that significantly increase the level of comfort. For example, the unique Digital Voice Enhancement (DVE) system, with which all Multivan passengers can communicate without raising their voice. Six highly sensitive microphones located throughout the cabin captured the voice of the interlocutor, after which the signal is enhanced to the required level and is voiced through small speakers located near each chair. Electric glass windows of the door side glasses have a function against the clamp: with a certain resistance to closing the glass, it automatically returns back. Also, for the first time in this class, side airbags will appear - in addition to the two front, installed in the base. The total number of air pillows reaches six. All seats are equipped with three -point seat belts, and each has mounts for children's seats of the ISOFIX system. In addition, the new Multivan is equipped with such active security systems as ABS, EDS, ASR and ESP.
The evolutionary path of development
The updated Multivan, using the modernized and elongated platform of the past generation model, was significantly heard in the dimensions, now its dimensions are 4.89 meters in length and 1.91 meters wide. Thus, the new minivan beats several luxury models at once. It is almost ten centimeters longer than the gigantic Renault Grand Espase. What speaks of the highest level of comfort, it has a maximum of space for passengers!
Like the previous generation (T4 model), the new T5 family has several diverse versions at once, ranging from utilitarian commercial vans and chassis to luxurious tourist or office-wenes. And each of these versions, in addition to external differences, has a special filling. Commercial versions that will appear a little later will be equipped with a dependent spring suspension of the rear wheels. While Multivan, the luxury version created for travel has an independent suspension, much more comfortable. In addition, an independent rear suspension makes Multivan safer. The car has become more stable and is better practicing the irregularities of the road.
Maximum possibilities
Multivan salon is transformed: all chairs can be moved, moved and dismantled. For this purpose, special runners are made on the floor, along which you can move the rear seats, changing the configuration of the cabin. At the same time, the customer can choose one of several main seats in the cabin at the stage of manufacturing a car. This can be the life of either classic several rows in the passenger version, or the placement of seats face to face in luxury modification. Under the order, many options are offered like a folding table or, by special order, even sleeping places. The basic versions have seven places: the driver plus six passengers. Also in the list of options there are sliding side doors on both sides, and if desired, they can be equipped with an electric drive.
The energy energy for the updated VW Multivan is still offered four power units: two gasoline and two turbodiesel. The basic version is equipped with a 2.0-liter 116-horsepower gasoline engine, not the most painful, but inexpensive and economical. From the same series and a 1.9-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 105 hp, it accelerates more than a two-ton Multivan to 159 km/h, spending 18.4 seconds to accelerate. True, in this case, the fuel consumption can be by consolation: on average, a 1.9-liter version consumes about 8 liters per hundred kilometers! The gasoline six -cylinder power unit with a working volume of 3.2 liters, borrowed from Phaeton and Touareg models, develops a power of 231 hp, which makes Multivan 3.2 one of the most powerful cars in this class. And at the same time, one of the most speedy: 205 km/h and 10.9 seconds from a place to hundreds! A 2.5 -liter turbodiesel proposed in two versions (130 and 174 hp), against this background, looks a little more modest: their maximum speed is 168 and 188 km/h, respectively. Nevertheless, with an average fuel consumption of 8.5 liters, a 174-horsepower version may be the most profitable option. Moreover, acceleration to 100 km/h is no less fast: only 11.8 seconds.
As usual, Volkswagen offers a large selection of the transmission type. Already, power units can be combined with a five- or six-speed mechanical checkpoint, and a 3.2-liter version- also with a 6-speed automatic. A little later, the appearance of the 4Motion is expected - with the connected, in case of slipping the front wheels, the drive of the rear axle.
Pending...
To predict when the updated version of Volkswagen Multivan will appear on our market is still difficult. The model is still announced, and everything will depend not only on the quick importer, but also on the terms, as well as the volume of initial production. In any case, Luxury Multivan will be the first of a series of merchants. The basic Transporter and passenger Caravelle will be presented only in a few months. It is expected that the retail price of updated cars, if it rises, is not much, literally by a couple of percent. Given their best basic equipment, such a margin can be recognized as fair.
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Volkswagen commercial and passenger models are a whole story. Almost all modifications and modifications, ranging from the legendary T2 and ending with modern Sharan, invariably enjoyed success. The predecessor of the current Multivan, the T4 model, has been produced since the beginning of the nineties, and there was no luxury Multivan in the range then. The functions of the luxurious passenger Van performed Caravella. And only a few years later, when the market of minivans and luxury passenger models began to increase, Volkswagen made several attempts to grab his piece of this market cake. The first pancake was the luxury version of Caravella, called California - with a slightly different interior, funny colors, etc. Later, after the next restyling, Multivan appeared in the range: Wen, almost identical to commercial versions, but much more luxurious and convenient inside. True, it is worth noting that the chassis, like the design, also remained the same: the luxury version did not receive comfortable independent pendants. But buyers had the opportunity to receive a very powerful engine for an additional payment: a 2.8-liter V6 with a capacity of more than 200 horses! With such a motor, Multivan accelerated simply unnaturally quickly. Acceleration from a place to hundreds took him less than ten seconds, while the maximum speed was almost 200 km/h.
