Volkswagen T6: the Transporter comes of age

Both, captain… The first version of the T6 is an evolution of the Transporter T5, which had already reached a high level. It nevertheless suffers from a lack of modernity inside and above all from outdated connectivity. The first T6 does the job and paves the way for a subtle facelift.

A little styling and a few changes allowed Volkswagen to relaunch the flagship of its commercial range in 2019. It changes physically at the front, with a new, more sloping grille and LED headlights and tail lights.

During 2019, the T6 became the T6.1 and received an update, as its name (6.1) indicates, with new technology and a modern dashboard (digital cockpit). LED interior lighting, a multimedia system with We Connect interface, USB, SD, Bluetooth hands-free kit, wireless smartphone charging (optional) etc., the Transpo enters the digital age.

VW dipped into its shelves and fitted the Transporter with the level of connectivity then rolled out in its saloons. Manoeuvring becomes simple: the T6.1 comes with, as options, Park assist, Trailer assist (a camera view of the trailer) and Lane assist (if you can't manage to stay in your lane).

Driving a Transporter fitted with adaptive suspension (DCC, optional) and electric power steering, with a (small) steering wheel where everything seems to fall naturally to hand, becomes a real pleasure.

The T6 California: van life and the road trip by definition.

At 4.90 m long, the T6 is no bulkier than a big saloon. Car parks and city centres are wide open to it, and motorway toll booths welcome it in first class, with a height and width just under 2 metres.

With bodywork that doesn't set it apart much from a commercial vehicle, it is inside that the California's score is played.

It is equipped with two batteries (including a 75 Ah auxiliary), 2 water tanks of 30L (waste water and fresh water), a 42L fridge; the 2 front seats swivel round to face a removable table for 4 people and a comfortable sliding bench seat.

For cooking or heating water, you can make use of 2 gas burners positioned near the sink. As I write these lines, a good battery to power a small microwave and an air fryer might be better suited to this confined space.

For naps, the T6 California offers blackout blinds, two double beds, one downstairs once the bench seat is folded and another upstairs, much appreciated by children, once the pop-up roof is raised.

A table and two folding chairs (included) will welcome you for your meals (and aperitifs with Maude and her ration of peanuts) under the awning positioned outside, which will shelter you from the sun or the drizzle.

An outdoor shower lets you rinse off when you come back from the beach.

With three levels of trim and equipment, VW's leisure van is called the California Beach at the "entry" level with no kitchen but just a stove for VASP approval (available with 5 or even 7 seats!), the California Coast in the middle of the range (the most common version) and the California Ocean in its most luxurious version. If you're not a fan of sand and sea spray, rest assured: VW's little camper van will be just as much at home in the countryside and in the mountains.

The California is the perfect combination of an everyday car and a leisure vehicle. In short, it's up to you to invent the adventure that goes with it!

The T6 introduces a new wave of engines, with more modern cylinder heads allowing them to meet the pollution restrictions of the Euro 6 standard introduced in 2014.

As for engines, the T6 sticks to the 2.0L 4-cylinder, either in TSI petrol (150 and 204 hp) or TDI Diesel fitted with a variable-geometry turbo (84, 90, 102, 150, 180 and 199, 204 hp for the twin-turbo versions). The best of them seems to be the 150 hp 2.0 TDi common-rail, which proves to be powerful, economical and reliable all at once.

Conversely, the 180 and 199/204 hp twin-turbo TDIs are not unanimously liked because they are harder hit by EGR and turbo problems. In petrol, the 204 hp had oil consumption and timing chain problems in the first phase.

The problems linked to AdBlue, particulate filters and EGR valves on vehicles used (too) much in town and on short trips are common to all manufacturers bound by anti-pollution standards. It didn't really get better with the Euro 6d standard, which brought the T6.1 dual AdBlue injection and exhaust gas aftertreatment (DPF: particulate filter). In short, to what is more simply called a "contraption".

Gearboxes are available depending on the engines and T6 versions, manual with 5 or 6 speeds and automatic of the DSG type (dual-clutch). The latter are very capable but demand rigorous maintenance and monitoring if you want to take them a long way in mileage.