Test drive Volkswagen T6 Caravelle: a pipe dream of a real Belarusian. Test drive Volkswagen T6 Caravelle: a pipe dream of a real Belarusian For any conditions

For the sake of objectivity, I will note that outside, and inside, the revolution did not happen. Everything experienced by the T6 is more likely to be deeply restyled. Just look at the photo above and tell me I'm wrong. On the other hand, if, as they say, people hawala, why reinvent the wheel? This, however, was almost always the case, but somehow, 65 years after the release of the first Bulli, the new cab was what it is. And yet, in order not to take the rap for the manufacturer, I took for the test a Caravel performed by Highline, which was previously absent. Here our short-wheelbase van (in the long-wheelbase version +40 cm between the C-pillar and the rear axle) with eight seats (the maximum possible number for a short wheelbase is nine) looks in a different light.

Highline is when on the doorstep of the dealership you receive an unexpected text message about the dropped 13th salary (aka bonus). This is when you initially wanted a marriage of convenience, and the relatives of your future wife turned out to be dollar millionaires, not rubles. In a word, when you can and should decide on something more than you bargained for.

First, because it is beautiful. Full headlights, which, in addition to aesthetics, adds a more interesting controllable light. Here you have not only cornering lights, but also an intelligent high-beam beam that does not blind the oncoming lane. I drove 700 km from Moscow to Minsk - it works like a clock. And no need to change bulbs every season - LEDs last ten times longer than traditional halogens! Separately, the speed of the distant response is amusing when you need to blink.

No, but what, only the owners of the top-end to have fun? There are also 17-inch Cascavel alloy wheels (we had Devonport for a surcharge), tinted windows (by the way, why are there side curtains in the cabin?), And electric sliding doors on the sides. In severe frosts or simply as unnecessary, the electric drive can be turned off. But you feel how the degree is growing: sliders on both sides, and even with a drive ?! Mmm!

The beauty continues in the salon. The front panel of the Highline has been replaced with the same as in the new Multivan - with inserts made of plastic coated with a "piano lacquer" finish. Beautiful but impractical: fingerprints are visible to forensic experts with the naked eye. On the right side there is an additional upper storage compartment with a cover, where for some reason the USB connector for connecting a smartphone has gone. No, really, why make a niche for storing a mobile phone in the central part, if the cable for connecting to multimedia will have to be dragged from the next box? But instead of a 5-inch display for a surcharge (surcharge even in the Highline configuration, Karl!), The test car has a Composition Media system with an 8-inch screen. We have already seen this on. Under the bottom edge there are sensors that respond to the approach of a hand and "wake up" the hidden menu on the screen.

Otherwise, multimedia would be very ordinary, if not for one circumstance: using the cable, which I mentioned earlier, you can connect a smartphone to it and, via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, get a cut-down version of your mobile phone directly on the central display. I tried CarPlay - no problem, but Android Auto didn't want to launch with any of the three tested devices. Mystic!

And do not even try to whisper with your wife about the mother-in-law sitting behind. On her side is a listening device in the form of an amplifier for the driver's voice. A microphone is installed in the front of the cabin, which transmits what he said to the passengers. However, this function can be disabled, but you should not lose your vigilance.

The second row seats are separate - all with Isofix mounts. To increase the useful volume of the luggage compartment, both rows can be removed or their backrests can be folded flat.

In general, Caravelle, even though it is a commercial car, is stuffed with all sorts of assistants and assistants in a way that many passenger cars never dreamed of. Speaking of sleep. Rest Assist makes sure you stay awake while driving and suggests you pause on a long trip. Well, if you have already begun to bite your nose, then City Emergency Braking at speeds up to 30 km / h will help you slow down in front of an obstacle.

However, derivatives from the Transporter are preferred not for gadgets, but for verified passenger driving manners, coupled with the practicality of a truck / bus. Here they did not break anything. If you want to carry people, please: four rows of seats (in a long base) allow you to shelter up to 12 people. And with what comfort! A three-zone climate with a separate control unit above the heads of the second row passengers is always at your service. By the way, the second row is a separate seat (swivel seats remained the prerogative of Multivan) with Isofix mounts, while the side ones are raised to let passengers back. And if you want to start transporting goods - with a slight movement of your hand (for the back sofa you will need the hands of a weightlifter), we remove the seats and get cubic meters of usable space. Just don't splatter the carpet! However, it is not necessary to remove the seats - in some cases it will be enough to fold the backrests into an almost flat plane. The rear door can be either double-leaf or lifting, as in our case, and with an electric door closer in a premium manner.

BiTDI engine (180 hp, installed transversely and overwhelmed by 8 degrees)

From a driving point of view, it's a sin to complain about the Caravelle. And here I am again about Highline. Under the hood is the same turbodiesel, now installed transversely, with all the same performance (180 hp, 400 Nm). Unless the peak torque bar is at your disposal 100 rpm earlier - from 1500 to 4000 rpm. Unimportant. There is still little "eating": on the highway, on winter tires, in the rain, and even with a full load - about 8 l / 100 km. So on a full tank (80 l) you can go very far. For added savings, all Caravelles are equipped with a start-stop system.

This T6 accelerates cleaner than golf-class hatchbacks both from a standstill and on the move, even in front-wheel drive performance, which came to us for testing. Seven-speed DSG know yourself goes over the gear, however, was seen in petty hooliganism. Driving up to a red traffic light, and then suddenly you need to accelerate again to the flashing green? You will inevitably get a jolt. It works in eight cases out of ten, as it was possible to establish, between the second and third gears.

The steering wheel inherited from the Golf, with a hydraulic booster - in this matter, the Germans still honor traditions. From lock to lock, I measured 3.25 turns, which makes it easy and effortless to maneuver in tight spaces (turning radius - 5.95 m - only half a meter more than the same). Outward visibility is reference, although the side mirrors are single-section, unlike some of the competition.

But on the go, the driving experience has changed. It's about the new DCC suspension. The electronically controlled shock absorbers, after pressing a button on the center console, follow one of three operating algorithms: Comfort, Normal and Sport. Here, too, there were some rough edges. Electronics harshly "grabs" the shock absorbers - as a result, we get an imitation of breakdown (characteristic knocks) in a seemingly harmless place. So, I skated mostly in standard mode.

And now about the sad things. I do not know why it was necessary, given the Multivan, designed for transportation with chic, to release a version of Caravelle close to it in spirit, but from a price point of view, it turned out to be an incident. Because our subject costs as much as 3 798 600 rubles. No, of course, the Highline version is initially offered at a price of 2,762,200 rubles, but, as in the case of the premium, it turned out like this: not everything that shines is free. If you want a packed car, you can forget about the basic price tag even for the top version. A headlamp washer, sliding vents in the sliding doors and a rear-view camera - all this for an extra charge. And yet you only need to ride the Caravelle Highline once to fall in love with it forever. Marriage of convenience?

The truth is that for 3.8 million rubles. eyes still have a lot to scatter. Want a premium sedan, you can take a closer look at

Most motorists refer to auto tuning as a certain nice modification. With it, the car looks much more presentable than in the standard version. And also auto-tuning often not only plays the role of a visual decoration, but also improves various properties of the car. It is worth noting that the tuning intended for the 2015-2019 Volkswagen Karavella undoubtedly refreshes the design of the car.

Thresholds made of steel are in great demand, and aluminum thresholds are also often ordered from us. Such parts protect the car from various external reactions.

Auto tuning is capable of not only fulfilling the task of decorating, but also being useful. Installing a towbar is a clear example of such auto-tuning. This part is needed so that the car has the ability to tow another vehicle or use a trailer.

Installation of body kit in Moscow

Perhaps the most famous auto accessories are seat covers. Almost every motorist uses them, as the covers make life much easier and protect the leather of the seats from various scratches and dirt. The use of specialized covers for Volkswagen Karavella 2015-2019 is justified, since they are usually more comfortable than standard seats.

Floor mats are considered a necessary addition for every car. With their help, it is easy to avoid exposure to water and dirt on the skin. Trunk mat will keep your car clean.

The store works closely with domestic factories. It should be noted that car accessories come strictly from manufacturers, without intermediaries. Constantly on sale, you can find a large line of auto accessories for any model.

We have competent installers and other specialists working in our staff, they can easily cope with virtually any accessory intended for the Volkswagen Caravelle 2015-2019. Installation work is offered at excellent prices.

The current VW Caravelle, like the Multivan, is part of the Transporter T6 family, the sixth generation of which appeared in 2015. The real workhorse of this trinity is undoubtedly the Transporter, which can also be purchased in the passenger version. The Caravelle is already clean and a much more comfortable passenger.

However, calling the VW Caravelle T6 a new generation can only be a stretch. In fact, we have before us a deeply modernized VW T5.

The last generation of the Volkswagen Transporter T5 family (2003–2015), like the previous generations, turned out to be very popular in the world. It has sold more than 2 million copies, thereby bringing the number of Transporters released in 65 years to 12 million.

In the current Volkswagen Caravelle T6 family, the body dimensions remained the same - it only received slightly modified outer panels, trunk lid, bumpers and optics. The design has become more strict, because the edges of the body have become sharper. The motors for Ukraine are still the same, while in Europe the model is equipped with slightly more powerful engines that meet the environmental standards of Euro 6. But the interior is really different.

The interior of Caravelle has changed dramatically, becoming more strict. The glove box is now located in a passenger way, at the bottom. In its former place, a spacious niche

The dashboard changes are cosmetic and subtle. The font of the numbers, the strokes of the scales, the base of the arrows and the color of the red zones have changed slightly

As before, the car is available with a short (3000 mm) or 400 mm longer wheelbase. Their main difference is the depth of the luggage compartment: with a regular base - 739 mm, with an extended one - 1118 mm.

All the backrests of the second and third rows can be folded down. This is useful when transporting long or bulky cargo.

Regardless of body length and wheelbase, the new Caravelle can be ordered from four seats to nine.

VW Caravelle traditionally provides the widest possible configuration of the cabin. Seats of the second and third row can be dismantled

Test car for eight, in the middle Comfortline configuration. In front, there are a pair of separate armchairs with folding armrests. The second row consists of a double and a single seat, which folds down to access the gallery. The transformation process is simple and not laborious at all.

In the middle configuration of the Comfortline, the initial version of the Composition Color multimedia system with a 5-inch display is installed. More advanced ones are available as an option

In the middle configuration, the Comfortline bus is equipped with a dual-zone climate control ...

... as an option for this version it can be expanded up to three zones

I was struck by the soundproofing Caravelle. Even at high speed, I was able to talk to the passengers in the third row, and I didn't have to raise my voice much. The rattling of plastic panels, as it was in the new Multivan, was not annoying either.

For any conditions

Like any Volkswagen, Caravelle is a kind of constructor, in a good sense of the word. You can create a car for yourself, having already prepared it from the factory for a variety of tasks and conditions. For bad roads, for example, the 4Motion all-wheel drive version comes in handy, with a new generation Haldex center coupling that has become more compact, lighter and faster. What's more, the Caravelle 4Motion can be equipped with a mechanical rear differential lock as an option. It will come in handy if you plan to use the machine for towing heavy trailers. By the way, in this configuration, rally teams order beads, where they often have to tow a gun carriage with a combat vehicle, and not only on the asphalt.

For regular use of VW Caravelle off-road, it will not be superfluous to protect components and assemblies. The package includes heavy-duty aluminum shields covering the powertrain, fuel tank, rear axle differential housing and main muffler. In addition, each of the protection elements can be ordered separately.

Fun fact: the Caravelle's ground clearance does not depend on the presence or absence of an all-wheel drive transmission, but on the wheelbase or configuration. So, the long version of the bus is 202 mm raised above the road, while the short one boasts a ground clearance of over 20 cm only in the initial version of the Trendline, in the rest the ground clearance is 193 mm.

I liked the energy intensity of the suspension. The Caravelle has passed numerous road tests with flying colors. Moreover, comfort was not at the expense of handling - the car drives pleasantly and informatively, even at high speeds.

So far verified

Unlike the Old World, where the minibus received new power units, we got it with proven engines from the previous generation VW T5. The TDI turbo diesel range is traditionally wider. It is represented by three engines of the same volume - 2 liters, 102, 140 and 180 hp. There are two gasoline engines - 2-liter TSI with 150 or 205 hp. For all of these units, both manual transmissions and a DSG robot are available.

Despite such a variety, the most popular among Ukrainian buyers is the Caravelle 140-horsepower TDI. It is he who is paired with a 7-speed DSG robot that is installed on the test Caravelle. Such a tandem pleased the city with excellent traction from the bottom, as well as fast and timely gear shifting. And on the track he has reserves for overtaking even at high speeds.

The shelf of the maximum torque of 340 Nm of the 140-horsepower turbodiesel is in the range of 1750-2500 rpm, in which the 7-speed DSG robot tries to keep it

In the city, our single-drive Caravelle ate at least 9 liters per 100 km. On the track, considerable weight and greater windage of a minibus than in a passenger car leads to a strong dependence of the ratio of fuel consumption and speed. So, at the maximum speed allowed by our traffic rules and with a full load of the car, the fuel appetite on the highway was 10.5 liters per 100 km of run. When driving in the speed range of 100-110 km / h, I reached 6.8 liters per 100 km. Therefore, the factory data when driving on a highway of 6.6 liters per hundred is quite achievable. And with such a flow, more than 1200 km can be driven on a diesel fuel tank. After all, our diesel Caravelle is equipped with an 80-liter tank, while in Europe the fuel supply is 70 liters, and a more capacious capacity is either in the gasoline version, or is available as an option.

Last tweak

Although the Volkswagen Caravelle has not changed too much, it has come even closer to the ideal of a large car for the comfortable movement of passengers. In the current generation, thanks to new options and systems, it has become much more modern and convenient. But a radically different Transporter and cars of its family should be expected no earlier than 2020.

In the VW Caravelle T6, new upholstery options are presented, from more expensive and high-quality materials. Any of the rows of seats will be very spacious

Tailgate one-piece in medium and high-end versions, double hinged door available as an option

For the VW Caravelle, Side Assist and automatic headlight control are now available as an option

Autocenter resume
Body and comfort
+	−
Closing the rear door has become easier, an electric drive is offered as an option. Sound insulation has improved markedly. Excellent interior transformation and large luggage compartment.	The initial configuration of the Trendline is rather modest: for example, it still has mechanical windows.
Powertrain and dynamics
+	−
The suspension of the new Caravelle is more comfortable and energy-intensive, even in an unloaded state, it does not bother with shaking. High ground clearance and short body overhangs. The 4Motion version in combination with DSG is the world's only 4WD minibus with a robot	There are no new engines.
Finance and equipment
+	−
Huge selection of options. The Caravelle is available in short and long wheelbase, in mono and all-wheel drive versions. Active safety systems have appeared - automatic braking in the city and warning or reducing the consequences of a repeated collision.	High cost of options.

The 140 hp TDI is most popular with Ukrainian Caravelle buyers. By the way, in the warehouses of dealers there are only such versions, with other motors - on order

Volkswagen has one small sin. It seems that they spied on it from their eastern colleagues. Not a sin, but a prank. Give out restyling as a new model. Actually, there is nothing shameful here, if we are talking about a modern and technologically advanced car, and updates occur almost every six months. The same story happened with the Volkswagen Transporter Т6, or rather, with its passenger version of the Caravelle. But not everything is so sad. How the new T6 2016-2017 model year can please fans of car cult walks, let's figure it out right now.

The standard "minibus" is equipped with a diesel 84 horsepower engine with a Start / Stop system. The rest of the kits will include the following power units:
diesel 102 hp;
diesel 150 hp;
diesel 204 hp;
petrol 150 HP;
petrol 204 HP
Thanks to the considerable efforts of the mechanics and engineers of this German car company, fuel consumption has been reduced on average by as much as 15% compared to the same indicator of its predecessor.

Bus or station wagon? Caravel!

Transporters of all generations, used or new, were loved not for the music in the cabin and not for the beautiful front panels. Not even behind the wheel of a power-assisted Golf, as in the current generation. The owners' comments on the passenger handling of the Caravelle were confirmed this year as well. Driving qualities, like a car, and practicality, the possibility of transforming the interior, spaciousness - like a minibus. Still would.

The new Volkswagen T6 on a long base easily takes 12 people on board. And not just like that, but with such comfort that any passenger car will envy. Three-zone climate control is installed in the cabin of the Caravel, however, this applies to older configurations. In inexpensive cars, you will have to be content with conventional air conditioning. And climate control is not controlled from the front panel, but directly from the passenger compartment. The climate control unit is located on the ceiling and is located above the second row of seats. The seats are made separate, that is, they allow you to adjust the position of the backs and cushions independently of each other. Swivel seats are not available for the Caravel.

They were left only for Multiven. But the rear seats are equipped with Isofix child seat kits. If necessary, the salon is quite simply transformed into a cargo one. In this case, it is not at all necessary to remove the seats, it is enough to fold the backs, but the seats are completely removed quite simply. Video: test drive Volkswagen Karavella 2016-2017 A standard turbodiesel for 180 forces, as a rule, suits everyone completely. He is moderately dynamic and does not ask for too much.

The passport promises that the fuel consumption of the turbodiesel on the highway will not exceed 6 liters, and many test drives confirm this figure. City consumption is approaching 10 liters per hundred, but for such a large car, this is quite normal. Considering that the bvk holds 80 liters, but you can go quite far on it. A fuel saving and emission reduction system is provided for city traffic. The start / stop system is installed as an option; it can be switched on both in automatic mode and manually.

The new seven-speed robotized gearbox DSG also proved to be excellent on Caravelle. The car has excellent acceleration and the lack of dynamics will not be felt either in the city or on the highway. Volkswagen Caravelle 2016-2017 The power steering and the steering wheel itself, which Caravelle inherited from Golf, work perfectly, the car is controlled easily and clearly. Interestingly, the turning radius of the new T6 is 5.95 m, which is only 400 mm more than that of the Volkswagen Golf. In addition, the steering wheel is very short and informative. From lock to lock - just a little over three turns.

The adaptive suspension went to the car from Multivan. The suspension operation algorithm is peculiar, but it is suitable for any driving conditions and for any roads. Variable ground clearance within 40 mm from the base 193 mm allows you to choose the desired fit, and, if necessary, go into a sporty, more rigid mode. Not everyone will like it, however, for good asphalt the suspension settings in Sport mode are quite convincing.

Caravelle is an expensive car, especially in the Trendline configuration. But this is the right investment. Almost like real estate. The fact is that the price of a used Caravelle is in no hurry to fall, and spare parts are always in price. Analysts of the automotive market say that it is possible to buy a T5 with a passenger compartment in the secondary market, but not cheaper than 1.5-1.8 million. This applies to three-year-old buses. A five-year or seven-year-old Volkswagen T5 in the Caravelle version can be bought up to a million, depending on the configuration. Diesel atmospheric modifications are in special demand, and for some reason small turbocharged gasoline engines are the worst sold in Russia. Despite their reliability and economy, the public is afraid of their manufacturability and demands on the quality of oil, filters, gasoline

Options and prices.

The Volkswagen Caravelle T6 minibus is sold in Russia in three performance levels - Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. The basic configuration is estimated at 2,035,100 rubles, and the “top-end” version will cost 3,548,900 rubles, excluding additional options. By default, the car is equipped with ABS and ESP systems, two airbags, a semi-automatic climate control system, factory “music”, power windows for the front doors, heating and electric settings for side mirrors, a lift start assist system and other useful equipment.

Spacious and comfortable interior

Inside it is free, spacious, beautiful. The dashboard is simple. The instrument panel is located under a wide visor. There is also an on-board computer screen. The bright red instrument illumination looks very impressive. Most of it is occupied by the center console. It has become noticeably wider. In the foreground there is a 7-inch color screen of the latest multimedia system. On the sides of it are two vertical deflectors. Below you can see a large number of buttons, switching keys. I liked very much that the gear lever moved up.

Sales market: Russia.

The Caravelle is the passenger version of the Transporter, Volkswagen's world renowned commercial vehicle range. The new generation T6 is based on an upgraded platform from the previous generation, which has had great success in the global market due to the ideal balance of economy, environmental friendliness, safety and comfort. The spacious salon allows for optimal use of space, has many transformation options and can be used as a full-fledged mobile office. The car is available in two versions: with a standard and long wheelbase. Depending on the version, the number of seats is from five to nine. If necessary, the Caravelle can be easily converted into a cargo van - all seats beyond the first row are removable. The “Long” version, with its length and wheelbase increased by 40 cm, is one of the most practical options among the passenger cars of the “B” category. For the Russian market, cars are offered with gasoline (150 and 204 hp) and diesel (102, 140 and 180 hp) engines, paired with a "mechanics" or DSG gearbox, there are also all-wheel drive versions.

Compared to the previous generation, the exterior of the Caravelle has changed somewhat: bumpers, a radiator grill, head optics, rear fog lights have changed, a spoiler has appeared on the roof, and the tailgate has ceased to be double-winged. The ergonomics of the driver's seat and the arrangement of the interior also received their evolutionary development. Of course, the minibus was supplemented with high-tech stuffing: climate control (three-zone in expensive trim levels), heated seats, sun blinds on the windows, electric heated windshield, full power accessories, rear-view mirror with automatic dimming. Thanks to new communication technologies, you can use the Internet, the navigation system is able to guide the route past traffic jams. A door closer can be installed on the tailgate, on the side ones - an electric drive with remote control. Other features of the Volkswagen Caravelle include an electronic voice amplifier, a Bluetooth interface for hands-free conversations, adaptive suspension and a wide range of driving assistance systems.

For the Caravelle T6, turbo diesel four-cylinder two-liter TDI engines with 102, 140 and 180 hp are offered, as well as two-liter TSI gasoline turbo engines with 150 and 204 hp. In both lines, the initial motors work in conjunction with a manual 6-speed gearbox, front-wheel drive. A more powerful 140-horsepower diesel engine can work with both "mechanics" (front or four-wheel drive), and with an automatic 7-speed DSG gearbox (robot with two clutches) in front-wheel drive design. Both top-end engines - 204-horsepower petrol and 180-horsepower diesel - are equipped with a DSG "robot" and provide two options: front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. In the most dynamic version 2.0 TSI (204 hp) Caravelle accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 9.5 seconds. With the new engines, environmental performance and economy have improved even further. Consumption for gasoline engines is from 9 to 10.5 l / 100 km. For diesel - from 5.9 to 8.8 l / 100 km. The volume of the fuel tank is 80 liters.

The undercarriage of the Volkswagen Caravelle includes both independent suspensions - the front with MacPherson struts, and the rear with double wishbones. The electronically tuned adaptive dampers improve handling and comfort by modifying the suspension stiffness. Modes are provided: Normal, Comfort and Sport. 4MOTION all-wheel drive, based on a multi-plate clutch, distributes torque between the front and rear axles, increasing safety on slippery roads. As a standard, all Caravelles have an electronic cross-axle differential lock (on the front axle or on both - when ordering all-wheel drive). The available mechanical rear differential lock (option with 4MOTION) further increases flotation. Compared to its predecessor, the body length of the Caravelle has increased from 4892 to 5006 mm, and the long version - from 5292 to 5406 mm. The standard length of the luggage compartment, depending on the body length, is 739/1118 mm. The second and third row of seats can be folded down and get a huge volume for cargo transportation - 5800/6700 liters, with a maximum loading length of up to 2570/2970 mm.

All Caravelles are equipped by default with an electronic stability control system, two front airbags, and an automatic post-crash braking system. Additionally, there are two high (combined) side airbags that protect the head and chest of the driver and front passenger, as well as curtain airbags in the cabin. In addition, the new generation Volkswagen Caravelle has adaptive cruise control with a full stop function (for versions with DSG), a frontal collision avoidance system, adaptive high beam, Side Assist, driver fatigue monitoring and Rest Assist. A descent control system is offered for the all-wheel drive versions.

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