Petrol engines for the Volkswagen Transporter

Volkswagen's decision to offer Transporter buyers an alternative to diesel power is a real sign of the times.

Two new four-cylinder, turbocharged TSI petrol engines – which both have a displacement of 2.0 litres – are available now for all variants including the California camper van and Caravelle Executive.

Volkswagen Transporter Highline Panel Van (2017) Front Side

They're differentiated by their outputs and transmissions. The first version, with 148 bhp (110 kW / 150 PS) and 280 Nm (206 lb/ft) of peak torque, comes mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive.

If those figures don't seem high enough, then the second option boasts 201 bhp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 350 Nm (258 lb/ft). It's combined with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission and a choice of either front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive.

Increasing threats of emissions taxes and city-centre diesel bans mean the petrol models could appeal particularly to urban operators.

Transporter TSI list prices (they start from £22,625 excluding VAT) are cheaper than their diesel equivalents, so low-mileage users are another target market. For them, a reduced initial outlay is going to more than offset the higher costs caused by petrol's inherently worse fuel economy.

Related posts:
Volkswagen '70 Years of the Bulli' edition
T6 Transporter Sportline launched in the UK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts:

Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson

Image
Saab has got experience of producing special editions in honour of rally driver Erik Carlsson, having previously named versions of the 900 and 9000 after him during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now it has decided to do it again, this time to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Swedish driver’s first win in Britain’s RAC Rally, which was achieved at the wheel of a Saab 96. Thankfully, the company has resisted the urge to just bung some fancy alloys and a few other extra bits onto something like a mid-range diesel model. Instead, it appears to have resurrected the limited edition Turbo X from a couple of years ago, as the new edition similarly features a turbocharged 2.8 litre petrol V6, Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic gearbox. The result is the 9-3 Aero Carlsson saloon, which turns out to be a very rapid car. With 276 bhp (205 kW / 280 PS) and a healthy 400 Nm of torque, the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) dash takes just 6.9 seconds. But it’s in the mid-range t...
Read more

American spec Fiat 500

Image
Fiat has released the first details and images of the North American specification 500. The tiny city car will be available in Pop, Lounge and Sport trim levels, and is distinguished from the European version by its more aggressive front and rear bumpers, bigger grille and flared sills. Another unique feature is the engine. Fiat has decided to use the 1.4 MultiAir unit currently found in models such as the Fiat Punto Evo and Alfa Romeo MiTo. Perhaps it felt that using the forthcoming two-cylinder TwinAir in the American 500 would have been too much for markets there to take? There’s no word yet on what power output the MultiAir will have, although in its current applications it comes with either 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS), 133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) or 167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS). Similarly, prices have yet to be confirmed, but hopefully both details will have been sorted out by the time the order book for the 500 hatch opens later this year. For convertible fans, the 500C is due ...
Read more

i10 N Line versus the Up! GTI

Image
Hyundai has confirmed specifications and pricing for its sporty i10 N Line. This new variant – which arrives at dealers later this month – benefits from some cosmetic tweaks, unique suspension components and a more powerful 1.0 litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine.
Read more