Silver Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van driving down road

New Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van

From £35,427

Take your business to new heights with the Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van. Power, economy and technological advancements, provide you with all of the tools you’ll need to take on the toughest of jobs with confidence. 

The VW Transporter Panel Van is simply untouchable in the realms of practicality and innovation.

Technology and Interior

The high quality interior of the VW Transporter Panel Van provides a comfortable space to relax on the road. With air conditioning, a sophisticated infotainment system and mobile online services, you’ll have everything you need for a day on the job. 

The ergonomic layout of the Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van allows you to have access to everything right from the driver’s seat, along with precise planning storage options to help keep you organised. 

A generous load compartment, washable rubber floor covering, loading edge protective trim and step lighting all make transporting goods that bit more convenient. 

Optional reversing camera and parking sensors will help out out of any tight spots, getting you to your job more quickly and as cool as a cucumber, arriving ready for action - something your colleagues and customers will appreciate in equal measure.

elevated view of white volkswagen transporter panel van being driven by workers

Space

Customise your VW Transporter Panel Van with a choice of two wheelbases and three roof heights, giving you a load compartment ranging from 5.8 to 9.3 m and a potential payload of up to 1,309kg. With the Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van on your workforce, transporting goods will be easier than ever.

The VW Transporter Panel Van features black door handles and grey bumpers, and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors. The short wheelbase offers low and medium roof options while the long wheelbase has a high roof variant. Highline trims add daytime running lights, front fog lamps and 16-inch alloy wheels.

There’s also a selection of extras to explore so that you can tailor your VW Transporter Panel Van to suit your individual business needs.

Driver assist systems

A range of intelligent driving assistance systems are evident in the VW Transporter Panel Van to help you to avoid danger on the road. Leading the way in safety systems are Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which now both come as standard, as well as Driver Alert and Brake Assist.

Make your drive run even smoother with optional safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control ACC and Lane Assist, which will help you to stay safe on the road after a long day of putting your Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van through its paces.

birds eye view of white volkswagen transporter panel van parked by side of road inbetween two hedges
side view of silver volkswagen transporter panel van unloading infront of shop
rear profile view of volkswagen transporter panel van being loaded from the back
interior view of volkswagen transporter panel van  showing black leather steering wheel, gear stick and media system
front profile view of white volkswagen transporter panel van parked infront of garages
front profile view of white volkswagen transporter panel van parked in workshop

What trim levels are on the Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van?

Panel van Startline:

  • Cruise control including speed limiter
  • Forward collision warning incl. autonomous emergency braking, without adaptive cruise control
  • Leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel (3-spoke)
  • App-Connect
  • Digital radio reception

Panel van Highline:

  • Air conditioning
  • Body-coloured bumpers
  • Anti-theft alarm system with interior monitoring in cab, backup horn and towing

Sportline

  • 18" Alloy Wheels and lowered suspension
  • Rear tailgate spoiler (exclusive to the Sportline)
  • Chrome side bars, LED front Headlights, high beam control, gloss black wing mirrors, rear view camera
  • Sportline badge on rear tailgate and front wings
  • Red and black quilted leather seats
  • Digital Cockpit, App Connect, Volkswagen Media Control, and the Discover Media satellite navigation system including DAB+ radio, 6.33" touch-screen
  • Front Assist with City Emergency Braking System

Explore the Volkswagen Transporter Sportline

Enough Power To Keep You Going

The engine of the VW Transporter Panel Van perfectly combines power with economy. A range of 2.0-litre diesel engines are available, all complying with the Euro 6 emissions standard. The Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van offers a generation of TDI and BiTDI direct injection diesel engines which deliver between 83bhp and 204bhp, so there’s no shortage of usable torque for transporting heavy loads. The engines are mated to a 5 or 6-speed manual gearbox as standard or an optional 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox.

The VW Transporter Panel Van offers a superbly powerful yet economical performance with a range of innovative technologies to help to save fuel. Each of the Euro 6 engines is equipped with a start/stop system as standard, regenerative braking and low-rolling resistance tyres. Poor weather conditions needn’t stop you from getting your job done with 4MOTION all-wheel drive which provides good traction, optimum handling and precise steering. So come rain or shine, snow or storm you can get to work without issue.

volkswagen transporter panel van parked in the dark with LED headlights switched on

First drive: Updated Volkswagen Transporter could be the new mid-size van of choice

We’re now in the Transporter’s sixth generation, hence the T6 – a logical nameplate, for a change – with over 12 million being sold since 1949.

What is it?

Many might consider the Polo, Golf and Passat as Volkswagen’s longest-serving nameplates on sale today, but it is in fact the Transporter van that holds this accolade – offering an astonishing 70 years of service to breakdown firms, couriers and independent businesses. We’re now in the Transporter’s sixth generation, hence the T6 – a logical nameplate, for a change – with over 12 million being sold since 1949. It’s also Volkswagen’s best-selling van by some distance, and the fourth most popular overall van in the UK.

Four years after the T6 first went on sale, here we have the facelift T6.1, but can it deliver?

What’s new?

The days of vans being backwards next to cars are long over, and this latest Transporter shows this vividly – predominantly in the cabin. A new dashboard gives the Transporter an ever more car-like feel, while VW has bolstered connectivity levels through the standard 6.5-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring and VW’s ‘We Connect’ range of online services.

Safety has also been enhanced significantly, with the Transporter coming as standard with new driver assistance features, such as autonomous emergency braking and crosswind assist – the latter automatically applies brakes if the van becomes unstable. The Transporter has also been given a trademark ‘nip and tuck’ facelift, but more on that later.

What’s under the bonnet?

Volkswagen ditched petrol engines a couple of years ago in the Transporter (they accounted for just one per cent of sales, says VW) so diesel completely rules here, and it’s the infamous 2.0 TDI that accounts for all versions. To meet tight emissions regulations, there has been a few changes to the line-up – some engines becoming more powerful; others less. In the new engine range power outputs of 89, 108, 148 and 196bhp are now offered.

Our test van is the 108bhp version, which is paired to a five-speed manual gearbox. This level of power doesn’t sound much, but a plentiful 250Nm of torque means that this engine is surprisingly eager to get up to speed. Next year Volkswagen will also introduce an all-electric version of the Transporter – broadening the van’s appeal further.

What’s it like to drive?

The Transporter has always had refinement on its side, and this facelift has thankfully not changed that. It remains one of the best vans to drive on sale today – offering a comfortable and supple ride (ideal for delivery drivers bouncing over seemingly invisible speedbumps). As with any van, when it’s unloaded, the lack of sound insulation is noticed immediately, but once fully loaded (we tried both) it helps to iron out the issue.

It remains one of the best vans to drive on sale today – offering a comfortable and supple ride (ideal for delivery drivers bouncing over seemingly invisible speedbumps). As with any van, when it’s unloaded, the lack of sound insulation is noticed immediately, but once fully loaded (we tried both) it helps to iron out the issue. The relatively light steering is also a bonus around town – making the Transporter no more difficult to manouevre than a typical hatchback, albeit opting for rear parking sensors and a reversing camera would likely be a worthy investment to make from the options list.

How does it look?

The cynical might compare the styling of the new T6.1 (the ‘.1’ meant to resemble an iPhone-style update) to the T5, which debuted in 2003. However, a lot has changed in that time – it’s just hard to go too outlandish with a commercial vehicle’s design. The most notable changes are at the front, which is headed up by new twin headlights (LEDs on range-topping models), along with revised daytime running lights. A redesigned front bumper is another feature on the facelift, along with a new grille with a more imposing chrome strip.

Choosing between the trim levels can hugely affect the van’s looks, as opting for the entry-level Startline brings black plastic bumpers and steel wheels, while those wanting something a bit classier to look at should choose the Highline – bringing alloys and painted bumper trim.

Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van Side
Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van Rear
Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van driving
Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van front
Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van interior
Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van rear

What’s it like inside?

Step inside the T6.1, and purely looking at the dash you could be forgiven for thinking you were in a Polo or Golf – the quality is that good. The plastics all feel solid and built to stand the test of time, with the switchgear also being easy to use. A big difference on this update comes in the form of the now standard 6.5-inch touchscreen – known as ‘Composition Colour’. While not coming with satellite-navigation, it brings smartphone mirroring and We Connect, which adds a host of online connected services. These include access to emergency call and a parking locator.

Up front there is also a decent amount of room for adults to sit three abreast, while the load bay is also a generous size, with buyers able to choose a long-wheelbase version – adding an additional 40cm of room. Unfortunately, VW has not yet announced details on the payload of the Transporter.

What’s the spec like?

Volkswagen has made big strides when it comes to the standard equipment of the Transporter, with features such as electric windows, electric mirrors, Bluetooth and a 6.5-inch touchscreen all now being added to the list of kit included. The Startline is the base model, with provisional prices expected to start from £21,635. Full pricing will be revealed when order books open in November, though it’s expected to be slightly more than comparative rivals. From launch the only other grade available on the van will be the Highline, which gains alloy wheels, painted bumpers, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a heated windscreen. It’s the best-selling trim – being most popular with independent businesses and one-man-bands, with the Startline being the fleet favourite.

The Transporter van annoyingly misses out on certain features found on other T6.1 derivatives (Caravelle, for example) – such as digital dials and the Volkswagen Group’s latest 9.2-inch MIB3 infotainment system.

Verdict

The Transporter has long been regarded as one of the best vans on sale today, and that continues with the T6.1. It is now more connected than ever, and comes with a much lengthier list of standard equipment. These improvements have only enhanced the Transporter, which will likely continue to make this model one of the best-selling vans on sale in the UK.

Facts at a glance

  • Model: Volkswagen Transporter 2.0 TDI 110 Startline

  • Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel

  • Power (bhp): 108

  • Torque (Nm): 250

  • Max speed (mph): 102

  • 0-60mph: N/A

  • MPG: N/A

  • Emissions (g/km): 190g/km

  • Rivals: Mercedes Vito, Ford Transit Custom, Peugeot Expert

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