Bulli under power

A good year before the release of the all-new VW T 7, VW is giving its bestseller T 6 a boost. The update for Multivan, Transporter and Co. is more than a facelift. The large-capacity van built since 70 years gets for the first time a clean electric drive in addition to clean diesel engines.

The VW Bulli rolled off the assembly line 12 million times in seven decades. And now it really works in the Wolfsburg practitioner. Volkswagen is using the upcoming facelift to send the car with the many names (including Multivan, California, Caravelle, bus, transporter) on its electric journey in the future. Leisure athletes, large families or craftsmen can choose two versions with electric drive in addition to the now sparkling clean diesel in four performance levels. The stronger one stretches more than 400 kilometers per battery charge.

Quite a surprise then, the VW since presented in the local "Autostadt" in Wolfsburg. Because the now called 6.1 newcomer comes just a year before the all-new VW bus with consistent designation T 7. The shares then with many VW models a common platform, will initially powered purely electric and also be a child of the new marriage between the German giant corporation and Ford. And then 2020 will release even the smaller ID Buzz as a family van into real life. VW wants to rock the van and van market with three electric vehicles.

That the current model now also an electrical interior was breathed, makes sense. Both the upcoming T 7 and the cuddly ID Buzz are only partially suitable for the harsh practice as a useful transporter for craft or delivery services. Therefore, the T 6 should live on for a long time. "The new T 6.1 is the car for the here and now," says Commercial Vehicle Manager Thomas Sedran. "We took a well-proven vehicle and brought the state-of-the-art assistance and infotainment systems up to date in addition to the new drives."

Because not only under the short hood, the engineers from Hanover have put hand. Since the new VW bus now with an electro-hydraulic steering keeps the direction, finally electronic helpers such as lane keeping and crosswind assist, semi-automatic parking in and out or the automatic reverse maneuvering with a trailer in the list of equipment catchment. That was not possible with the previous purely hydraulic steering.

The designers also participated in the fitness cure for the VW Bus. The front part now carries a downwardly extended air intake, which pulls the previous delicacy significantly in the width. An effect that the narrower headlight eyes (if desired with LED technology) reinforce. For this purpose, the hood is slightly curved upwards and provided with two folds. Who wants to perceive the T 6.1 as a novelty, so only have to look him in the eye. New modernity also in the interior. The 10,25 inch wide digital cockpit from the car models now informs in the large, still angular VW. Next to it is an up to eight-inch monitor for navigation and entertainment. Like the new Passat shown at the Geneva Motor Show, the car now hears the "Hey Bulli" command and answers questions, follows instructions and does navigational tasks. A kind of rolling Alexa so.

Small improvements for use as a commercial vehicle are an 230-volt socket, a lockable compartment in the double seat on the passenger side or the ability to push cargo under the front seat bench. This increases the length of the hold by 35 centimeters to 2,80 meters. Standard for the commercial vehicle are now, inter alia, E-windows, central locking, adjustable side mirrors or a radio system with Bluetooth hands-free system. All this had to be paid extra for the van so far.

The view remains under the hood. The well-known two-liter diesel can now be ordered in four power levels, ranging from 66 kW / 90 horsepower to bi-turbo with 146 kW / 199 horsepower. All engines are tested according to Euro 6d-temp and can enter it with no evil looks from environmental aid or police in future restricted zones. For individual versions there is also four-wheel drive or the dual clutch automatic.

And then there are the two Stromers who come onto the streets a little later than their classic colleagues. The motor of the scooter delivers 82 kW / 112 PS and relies on a pulling power of 200 Newton meters. With a 38,8 kWh battery, it can travel more than 200 kilometers, says VW. The more powerful battery (77,6 kWh) is said to do double. Depending on the power of the column, their charging times are between 1,40 and over ten hours. It was developed together with ABT, a company known as an Audi tuner and sports car specialist.

Volkswagen has not yet commented on prices and driving data. The T 6.1 will be launched in September.