Volkswagen announces that the order books are now open for ALL varients of the new T6 Transporter range.

• Order books open today; first deliveries from September
• Engine range includes new Euro 6 units with improved efficiency and lower emissions
• Higher equipment levels across the range, plus innovative safety features
• Prices for passenger-carrying Transporter shuttle and Caravelle models announced

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has opened the order books for all panel van and passenger carrying versions of the new Transporter, ahead of first deliveries in September. Boasting a sharper new look, refined and more efficient engines, and a host of safety, comfort and convenience features, the sixth-generation Transporter is set to continue the success of the previous five generations established over more than 60 years. 

The Transporter is Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ biggest selling model in the UK, and has consistently set the benchmark for quality, practicality and low running costs.

Prices have also today been announced for the new Transporter shuttle and Caravelle models, which come to market with EU6 engines, along with new assistance and safety systems. Prices for the new Transporter shuttle start from £23,440 and for Caravelle from £30,165 (excluding VAT and other OTR charges).

Also joining the range and available to order now are the latest generation of Transporter window van, as well as ‘Zugkopf’ which can be used as the basis of numerous conversions. Window van models are available from £19,550 (basic price excluding VAT) and Zugkopf versions from £17,800 (basic price excluding VAT).

Broader range, more equipment

Caravelle SE models are priced from £30,165 (basic price excluding VAT) and introduce a host of new standard features including BlueMotion Technology, DAB+ digital radio, 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth phone connectivity and USB connection. Standard equipment also includes Volkswagen’s acclaimed Automatic Post Collision Braking system, which automatically applies the brakes after a collision, reducing the risk or severity of a secondary impact.

Caravelle Executive models start from £33,145 (basic excluding VAT) and build on the generous standard specification of the SE. From launch, the Caravelle engine range consists of two 2.0-litre TDI Euro 6 engines with outputs of 150 PS and 204 PS.

The Transporter shuttle S starts from £23,440 (basic excluding VAT) and includes BlueMotion Technology, seating for up to nine people, DAB+ digital radio and Bluetooth as standard. The shuttle is available with a choice of three 2.0-litre TDI engines with outputs of 84 PS, 102 PS and 150 PS. The Transporter shuttle SE costs from £25,815 (basic excluding VAT) and is available with three 2.0-litre TDI engines with power outputs of 102, 150 or 204 PS.

In keeping with Transporter tradition, the new T6 model offers a range of body options to suit the needs of all operators and drivers, with short and long wheelbase options available on both Transporter shuttle and Caravelle and three roof heights also available on the panel van.

Cleaner, more efficient engines

As the Transporter shuttle and Caravelle are passenger-carrying models, the engines detailed above are all Euro 6 compliant. They all benefit from Volkswagen’s acclaimed BlueMotion Technology modifications, which include low rolling resistance tyres, and battery regeneration and Stop/Start systems to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. As a result the new models are up to 20 per cent cleaner and more efficient than the previous generation versions. For example, the 2.0-litre 150 PS Euro 6 engine has a combined fuel consumption of 47.1 mpg with CO₂ emissions of 155 g/km.

All 84 PS and 102 PS engines are fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, with 150 PS and 204 PS units equipped with either a standard six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DSG automatic.

Option prices for Transporter shuttle and Caravelle along with prices and specification for the California model will be announced shortly.

Extra style and kerb appeal: the Generation Six

To launch the new generation Transporter there will be a limited edition model based on the Caravelle: Generation Six. It will come with a 2.0-litre TDI 150 PS engine with DSG gearbox and be available in two-tone Candy White and Cherry Red paint. This offers extra style and kerb appeal and harks back to the earlier generation Transporter model. Pricing and full specification for this limited edition will be announced separately.

Volkswagen launches a number of new models and concepts at Paris.

• XL Sport has world's most powerful two-cylinder engine
• Passat GTE is a plug-in hybrid with 218 PS of power

On the evening before the Paris Motor Show, the Volkswagen Group presented its key new products under the motto "Les images de marques". In the world premiere of the XL Sport, which is a highly efficient sports car concept, the Volkswagen passenger car brand is impressively demonstrating how high-tech developments lead to synergies across brands. At the same time, the Passat GTE is celebrating its world premiere at the Group Night.

In traditional French ambience, Volkswagen is presenting the XL Sport concept car at the Group Night; it is a driving machine unlike any other. It is a sports car with 200 PS of power and a top speed of 270 km/h that was created based on the XL1¹ - the world's most fuel-efficient automobile. Operating at the rear of the XL Sport, and the technical highlight of the powertrain, is a modified V2 engine from the new Ducati 1199 Superleggera - the world's most powerful two-cylinder motorcycle engine. 

This engine, together with a 7-speed DSG, launches the sports car from zero to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and revs up to 11,000 rpm. The aerodynamics of the concept car are especially noteworthy. The fact that the XL Sport is a very special sports car is illustrated by its numerous individual features such as special air curtains, wheel arch air outlets, an optimised underbody, a diffuser that reduces aerodynamic lift and adaptive exhaust heat vents integrated in the rear lid.

The XL Sport follows the dynamic and extravagant design of the XL1. The concept car is slightly longer and wider than the XL1 with a length of 4,291 mm, width of 1,847 mm and height of 1,152 mm. Its modified proportions, longer wheelbase (2,424 mm), significantly wider wings and larger wheels give the vehicle a wide, low and impressive appearance on the road. The wing doors, front and rear sections with the same width and an extending rear spoiler that spans nearly the entire width of the car transform the XL Sport into a classic race car. Its interior was also highly influenced by motorsport.

Along with the XL Sport, Volkswagen is presenting the new Passat GTE² in Paris. This is the first Passat to be offered as a plug-in hybrid, which comes with a TSI engine combined with an electric motor. In "E-mode" the Passat GTE covers up to 50 km all-electrically for zero emissions. When the combustion engine and electric motor work together, the Passat GTE develops a system power of 160 kW / 218 PS and has a driving range of over 1,000 km. The maximum torque of the plug-in hybrid drive system is 400 Nm. The car's eco-friendly and efficient NEDC fuel consumption is under 2.0 l/100 km and 13.0 kWh/100km (equates to less than 45 g/km CO₂). The front-wheel drive Passat GTE with a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of over 220 km/h. In the electric driving mode, it is possible to reach a speed of 130 km/h.

Standard features of the Passat GTE include extras which are also available as options on other models, including the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Front Assist and City Emergency Braking. On the other hand, the new Passat GTE has many customisation options and feature extensions for the exterior and interior, such as the C-shaped LED daytime running lights, the "Composition Media" infotainment system that was specially adapted to the plug-in hybrid and the "CAR-NET e-Remote" app which, for instance, lets users start battery charging via a smart phone.

¹ Volkswagen XL1 fuel consumption in l/100 km: 0,9 (combined); power consumption in kWh/ 100 km: 7,2; CO₂emission in g/km: 21(combined); efficiency class: A+

² Passat GTE is not on sale yet. Preliminary data: Passat GTE: Fuel consumption in l/100 km: combined: 1,6; CO₂ emissions combined in g/km: 37. Passat Variant GTE: Fuel consumption in l/100 km: combined: 1,7; CO₂emissions combined in g/km: 39.

Outstanding five-star safety rating for recently unveiled SEAT Leon ST

• Outstanding five-star safety rating for recently unveiled SEAT Leon ST
• Score includes 94% rating for adult occupant protection and 92% for child occupant
• Euro NCAP Advanced commends SEAT for Leon ST’s multi-collision brake and lane-keeping assistant technology
• All-new estate car open for ordering from 1 October, starting from just £16,675

The SEAT Leon ST has been awarded a five-star safety rating by car safety assessment body Euro NCAP. The outstanding score puts the Leon ST among the very safest cars on the road.

The spacious, versatile and beautiful estate car, which goes on sale in the UK in October for January 2014 first deliveries, joins the Leon five-door hatchback as a five-star car.

The rating is the result of exceptional scores in all areas of the industry-standard Euro NCAP test, but particularly the adult occupant safety and child occupant safety sections, for which the Leon ST scored 94% and 92% respectively.

Features such as front passenger airbag deactivation, to facilitate installation of a rear-facing child seat, helped achieve the child occupant score, while extensive use of high strength and ultra-high strength steels in key areas of the chassis ensure that the Leon ST remains as stable as possible during a collision.

Alongside the five-star safety rating, the Leon ST has received two Euro NCAP Advanced awards, for its lane-keeping assistant and multi-collision brake systems; Euro NCAP Advanced was established in 2010 by Euro NCAP to reward ground-breaking emerging safety innovations.

“SEAT is committed to the highest levels of active and passive safety in all its models,” says Dr. Matthias Rabe, Executive Vice-President for Research and Development at SEAT S.A. “The thorough development work developed at our Technical Centre is now rewarded with the excellent classification achieved by both variants of the new Leon in the demanding Euro NCAP tests.

“We are also pleased with the two Euro NCAP Advanced rewards for the SEAT multi-collision brake system and the SEAT lane-keeping assistant in the new Leon. It is the new Leon family at the very top of the latest technology,” he adds.

Dr. Rabe accepted the two Euro NCAP Advanced certificates at the Frankfurt Motor Show, where the Leon ST made its world debut.

SEAT lane-keeping assistant (known as Lane Assist in the UK and available as part of the Leon’s optional Driver Assist Pack) uses a camera mounted behind the rear view mirror, which detects lane markings and helps the driver stay in lane. Working at speeds above 40 mph and linked to the power steering system, it applies a small amount of torque to the steering wheel intended to prompt the driver into taking corrective action should he or she begin to drift out of lane.

The multi-collision braking system (called Automatic Post-Collision Braking System in the UK, and standard fit) detects when the car has been involved in an accident – for example when the airbag has been fired – and automatically applies the brakes to prevent or mitigate a subsequent impact. It triggers both the hazard warning lights and the brake lights.

With a starting price of just £16,675 for a 1.2 TSI 105 PS model in S specification, the Leon ST represents amazing value. Every version comes with air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity for phone and audio, steering wheel-mounted controls, a colour touch-screen infotainment interface, front electric windows, roof rails and a double boot floor.

Thanks to a 587-litre boot that stretches to 1,470 litres with the rear seats folded flat, the Leon ST is one of the biggest estates in its class, while its £825 premium over an equivalent Leon five-door model is significantly lower than that of the majority of its direct competitors.