New VW Transporter models in South Africa – Pricing revealed

VW is adding five new models to the next-gen Transporter series in South Africa.

The passenger-focused Kombi units were first introduced in September, and Volkswagen later added an entry-level commercial panel van unit with a manual gearbox at the beginning of October.

Now, our sources at Duoporta Vehicle Information Specialists have revealed that the German carmaker is planning to add five more models to the lineup, including an automatic version of the panel van and the new Crew Bus units.

The Transporter series will be comprised of 11 models, including short-wheelbase (SWB) and long-wheelbase (LWB) units, and prices will start at R770,000.

Specifications

The two Panel Van models are exclusively sold in LWB form, which is 5,450mm long with a wheelbase measuring 3,500mm.

The Crew Bus and Kombi, meanwhile, have a SWB option that is 5,050mm in length with a 3,100mm wheelbase.

Anyone who needs to transport a lot of goods will naturally be best served by the Panel Van, which ditches all of the rear seats in favour of a loading bay big enough for three Euro pallets.

It can carry payloads weighing up to 1.3 tonnes, and it can also tow trailers weighing 2.8 tonnes.

The Crew Bus units effectively split the difference between the Panel Van and the Kombi in terms of functionality, as they provide a flexible seating arrangement for workers that can be removed to create a loading bay.

The SWB Crew Bus can take five people, while the LWB can seat up to eight, just like the Kombi.

Features on the new Transporter include LED headlights, keyless start, rain-sensing wipers, a multifunction steering wheel, an electric park brake with auto hold, automatic aircon, a 12-inch digital driver display, and a 13-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It also comes with lane-keep assist, cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic road sign display.

Engine

Every model in the Transporter range is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel (TDI) engine, but the output changes depending on the model.

The entry-level Panel Van and Crew Bus produce 81kW and 310Nm, while the mid-range units generate 110kW and 360Nm.

The top-end Crew Bus and Kombi models, on the other hand, have access to 125kW and 390Nm.

Depending on the variant, gear changes are handled by either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic shifter.

The range-topping Crew Bus and Kombi also have a 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, whereas all the other models are front-wheel-drive.

Fuel consumption for the VW falls somewhere between 7.1l/100km and 8.7l/100km, depending on the version selected.

Pricing

The South African pricing for the next-gen VW Transporter is as follows:

• VW Transporter 2.0TDI Panel Van LWB Manual – R770,000
• VW Transporter 2.0TDI Panel Van LWB Auto – R854,604 (New)
• VW Transporter 2.0TDI Crew Bus LWB 8-seater Manual – R923,100 (New)
• VW Transporter 2.0TDI Crew Bus LWB 8-seater Auto – R956,280 (New)
• VW Transporter 2.0TDI Crew Bus SWB 5-seater 4Motion – R1,052,950 (New)
• VW Transporter 2.0TDI Kombi SWB Commerce – R1,055,200
• VW Transporter 2.0TDI Kombi SWB Basic – R1,081,700
• VW Transporter 2.0TDI Kombi SWB Life – R1,116,845
• VW Transporter 2.0TDI Crew Bus LWB 8-seater 4Motion – R1,135,060 (New)
• VW Transporter 2.0TDI Kombi SWB Edition – R1,167,400
• VW Transporter 2.0TDI Kombi SWB Style 4Motion – R1,301,400

The Panel Van and Crew Bus are sold with a 2-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and a 3-year/60,000km service plan.

The Kombi units come with a 3-year/120,000km warranty and a 5-year/60,000km maintenance plan.

VW Transporter