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ROAD TEST

MULTI-TALENTED VOLKSWAGEN PEOPLE MOVER

By EWAN KENNEDY
8 May 2006

The Multivan is the latest version of the Volkswagen vehicle that began many years ago as the much-loved Kombi van. It’s based on the recently-released fifth-generation of VW Transporter vans.

Many practical people are often more interested in buying a van-based people mover than in owning a sleek wagon-style vehicle that might look great but can be slightly cramped inside. Being based on a van means the vehicle offers additional interior space, as well as the ability to move around inside it without too much contorting of the body.

You can buy VW Multivan in a big variety of models. Most have seven seats and plenty of luggage space behind them. The vehicle we tested was set up this way. The second row consisted of bucket seats that could be rotated to either face the occupants of the rearmost seat. Or they can face forward in a conventional position.

There's also an interesting special variant called the Multivan Business that comes with stretch out room for six, all in leather trimmed bucket seats. Information and/or entertainment are there by way of a DVD system that can also be connected to a laptop to permit business presentations while on the move.

Ride comfort in this VW people mover is excellent and it can handle rough roads with consummate ease. The Europeans can do steering and road grip that appeals to the keen driver, even in what is nominally a commercial vehicle.

This is a tall vehicle and overhead clearance in some carparks could be marginal. Carparks set up correctly give sufficient clearance, though you may find yourself looking up anxiously at times. Older style parking areas, or those with odd areas compromised by wayward pipes and electrical wiring, could cause serious dramas, though.

These latest VW Multivans are no low powered slugs, those imported to Australia come with either a 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine or a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel that gives them plenty of grunt.

Our test vehicle had the turbo-diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Certainly the best driveline combination if you want to stretch your fuel dollar. Considering we were driving a large van-based vehicle with seven seats the fuel consumption of just nine litres per hundred kilometres on the highway was impressively low. Around town it generally ran at about the 11 to 12 litres per hundred mark, still pretty low consumption for what you are getting.

Need a people mover that’s going to be used for adults rather than children. Or one that’s going to be carrying a lot of luggage? Then this latest ‘Kombi’ from Volkswagen may be just the thing.

SPECIFICATIONS (Volkswagen Multivan Comfortline 3.2-litre five-door people mover)

VITAL STATISTICS:
Length: 4890mm
Wheelbase: 3000mm
Width: 1904mm
Height: 1954mm
Turning Circle: 11.9 metres
Kerb Mass: 2389kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 litres

GENERAL DETAILS/COSTS:
Towing Ability: 750kg (2000kg with braked trailer)
Standard Warranty: Three years/100,000km

MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine Capacity: 3.189 litres
Configuration: Transverse V6
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 11.25:1
Bore/Stroke: 84.0 x 95.9mm
Maximum Power: 173kW @ 6200rpm
Maximum Torque: 315Nm @ 2905rpm
Driven Wheels: Front (optional AWD)
Manual Transmission: Six-speed
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed
Final Drive Ratio: NA
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts, decoupled subframe, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: MacPherson struts, decoupled subframe, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated disc

PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: NA
Standing 400 Metres: NA

FUEL CONSUMPTION/EMISSION RATINGS:
Fuel Type: Petrol 95RON
Green Vehicle Guide Greenhouse Rating: 3/10
Green Vehicle Guide Air Pollution Rating: 5.5/10
Fuel Consumption - Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 14.0 L/100km

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