Volkswagen Multivan test drive since 2003 minivan
Van just in case
VW Multivan captivates with multifunctionality
I will not hide - I like to ride full -sized minivans. Despite huge problems with parking under the windows of our office located in the very center of Moscow. But what kind of freebow on the road - mindful that the size is valued in Russia, there is no doubt that you will be missed during rebuilding, they will not be awarded once again on traffic lights, it is only worth a fraction of a second to hesitate, they will politely give up the road in The left row of the highway. These are personal impressions remaining after the day spent by the new minivan VW Multivan T5. But then all the little things in comparison with the enviable functionality of the machine - not without reason in its name there is a multi prefix. The laws of evolution
Boring, - was the first thought that came to my mind during last year’s dough VW Multivan of the previous generation. Yes, it was a rich car, with a luxurious salon, where literally everything was trimmed with the skin - including the foundations of the seats and the insides of the mess. Yes, big, yes, I rode well, but some kind of square, there was no soul in it, it is that some modern skyscrapers made of glass and concrete. Boring, - ealo -Avtorists echoed, whom I remember, transported to the cottage. And on the road I did not notice either escorting glances or even fleeting interest. Another thing is the modern version of the T5 minivan, which was recently debuted in the spring, at the Geneva Motor Show, and now finally reaching Russia. Let's just say - from middle managers, this car was transferred to an increase, and now confidently enters the top command. And a lot of evidence can be found. From clothes to intellect.
Take a look, for example, at the updated appearance of Multivan. The place of square panels of the body was taken by parts with smooth contours in the style of cars VW - Passat and the flagship Phaeton. The facade of the minivan is crowned by a huge emblem of the concern - for a large car, in general, a normal size. Modernized and car feed. Old and angular lanterns sunk into oblivion - new block factories, despite the fact that they have already become and shorter, look much more pleasant and harmonious. Especially in combination with a narrow strip of an additional feet signal on the mezzanine door, the trunk door. As for the salon, it appeared in it a lot of new ones. In order not to get confused and not to miss important details, I will begin my story with the front seats, and finish the trunk. Firstly, the model acquired a modern front panel with a tide in the center - now there is a joystick of a lever of a mechanical gearbox. On the previous version, a long poker stuck out of the floor, which was still not very convenient for tall people - the driver's seat was not and did not have height adjustment. Although, by honor, the landing is very comfortable and quite comparable to landing in cars. But you have to come to terms with the bus position of the steering wheel - it is somewhat shifted into a horizontal plane. But this is the Multivan family.
Also, a huge monitor appeared on the tide, on which in normal countries that do not suffer from spyanomanias, the navigation system readings are displayed. Well, in our case, this huge display only shows the settings of the audio system and other additional equipment. Despite the fact that under it there is another scoreboard working with the climate control system.
Both screens serves good two dozen buttons, which I failed to deal with for one day - there was too little time at my disposal. The only thing that succumbed to my understanding was the block of an additional heater in the cabin, the control panel of which is above the head, just behind the rear view mirror. And even then the story came partly comical. I return the car to the Alea Motors salon, turn off the ignition and hear that some kind of fan works. It turned out that, including the light in the cabin on the ceiling console, I accidentally set the key to an additional stove. Honestly, in this way it is very easy to plant a battery. Well, okay, but this heater has its own remote control, which, judging by the instructions, works from a distance to half a kilometer. That is, you can, for example, go out of the city for a walk in nature, and, returning to the car, turn on the heater in advance and sit in a heated salon. Comfortable. In addition, there is now such a number of messages on the front panel that they seem to easily fit all the contents of the huge trillage belonging to a real fashionable fashionable woman. There is even a separate refrigerator where products or drinks cool the air from the air conditioner.
As for the driver’s landing, as I said, it is quite much reminiscent of a slight. The only difference is that there are two extremely comfortable armrests at hand - one is attached to the chair, and the role of the second is performed by a rather wide window sill. So finding a convenient pose behind the wheel is simple. I almost forgot - the Multivan T5 has finally acquired six airbags and the Digital Voice Enhancement system. Its essence is that the driver and rear passengers communicate with each other in intercourse: six sensitive microphones located throughout the cabin, capture a voice, after which the signal is intensified and filed to small speakers located near each passenger.
Tendency to transformations
We move on, back. In the passenger salon as such, everything remained the same. The same 180 degrees on the sleds, individual chairs of the middle row, which, if desired, can be folded, turning into comfortable tables (though for manipulations with them, power is required), the same ceiling consoles with integrated lamps and a ventilation control unit, the same ceiling height . But the rear sofa can now be moved back and forth, respectively, varying the volume of the luggage compartment. Under it, by the way, there are three very voluminous troughs in the closing niches, access to which is possible both from the salon and from the cargo compartment. Plus, shifting windows and curtains integrated into the window sills are offered to the services of passengers, ready at any moment to enclose people sitting inside from prying eyes. And in the very center of the compartment appeared ... At first you perceive it as a small sliding box that acts as a table. But no, stop. Something hurts a lot of seams and small details in it. So, in fact, this box can bloom, like a chic rose from an unsightly bud. Small manipulations, a pair of clicks on the buttons - and a piece of plastic turns into a full -fledged desktop, which can be moved throughout the cabin and rotated as you like. Inside there are very roomy niches, built -in ashtrays, cup holders, closing boxes. And with what kind he is being laid out! The countertop is equipped with a pneumatic shock absorber and rises to a convenient level.
Cathed the sedan
What is the updated Multivan T5 on the go? The machine is perceived, like an ordinary passenger car, and with a sense of dimensions there are no problems. The characteristics of the steering wheel amplifier are quite convenient, so it will not be difficult for the driver to smoothly drive a car, especially if it is used as a representative. That's just with pedals should be more accurate. The minivan, which visited our test, was equipped with a 2.5-liter turbodiesel, developing 174 hp. (exactly such a motor is installed on the VW Touareg SUV). A good, burdened engine, you can’t say anything. And acceleration gives a rather peppy one, and does not work at all in a delight, without vibration and noise. But at low speeds, he did not have enough traction, and at the start he had to choose - either to move off with increased revolutions, filigently working as a clutch, so as not to pull the car, or stall. As you know, I chose the first. At the same time, Multivan got a front -wheel drive, that is, the engine energy was spent on only one pair of wheels. And how will the all -wheel drive version behave, where are the inevitable power losses in the handout? However, if the same driver drives the car, then soon he, it seems, will take possession of specific management skills and problems should not arise.
Compared to the previous version, the new minivan received a tougher suspension. She beneficially influenced controllability, strangled the rolls in corners, but if we talk about comfort, in my opinion, could be softer. This is the driver's feeling. If you transfer the passenger salon to the chair, then everything falls into place. That's where it is convenient to live! The motor is not heard, you practically do not feel shaking, you can throw back your back and take a nap - nothing will bother. Actually, it was for the sake of the Multivan T5 salon that was created. In conclusion - about prices. Multivan T5 in a very rich configuration will cost 55,600 euros. Warranty - 2 years without mileage restriction.
Sergey Ilyinsky
Brief technical characteristics VW Multivan T5
Engine volume, cubic meter. See: 2459
The number of valves for the cylinder: 4
Power, l. With. at about./min.: 174/3500
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min.: 400/2000
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p.: 12.2
Maximum speed, km/h: 188
Average fuel consumption l./100 km.: 8
Fuel tank volume, l.: 80
Dimensions, mm.: 4890x1904x1944
