Sixth-generation of Volkswagen's Transporter now available to order in chassis cab, Either Single or Double, SWB or LWB.

• Sixth-generation of Transporter now available to order in chassis cab
• Available as a long wheelbase 140PS Euro V engine 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG
• Available in single or double cab variants

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced the launch of its latest evolution of the iconic Transporter Chassis Cab. Available for order now, prices start from £21,265 (exc. VAT) for the LWB Single Cab Startline 2.0TDI 140PS Euro 5 6-speed manual.

Offering a versatile blank canvas for businesses who wish to create a load space to suit their specific needs, the latest Transporter Chassis Cab is also available to order with a drop-side body directly from the factory. The latest Transporter Chassis Cab range has been developed to complement the range of Volkswagen Crafter chassis and drop-side derivatives that are available through Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ ‘Engineered to Go’ programme.

Available in either single cab or double cab variants, the new Transporter Chassis Cab can carry up to six passengers in double cab form and offers a payload capacity of up to 1339 kg in single cab specification. The factory specification drop-side bodies offer versatile load space of either 5.2 m² in single cab form or 4.2 m² in double cab arrangement.

The sixth-generation Transporter sets the benchmark for quality, practicality and low running costs. The new chassis cab derivative comes equipped with all of the design and engineering features, along with new assistance, safety, convenience and comfort systems available across the new Transporter range. 

The new models also benefit from Volkswagen’s acclaimed BlueMotion Technology modifications as standard, which includes low rolling resistance tyres, regenerative braking and Start/Stop systems. The Chassis Cab range is offered with either 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG transmission.

The latest incarnation of the Transporter boasts a host of new standard features including BlueMotion Technology, DAB+ digital radio, 5-inch touchscreen, 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.

For further information regarding the new Volkswagen Transporter Chassis Cab variants, please visit your nearest Volkswagen Van Centre.

CHEVY SCOOP: 2015 Chevrolet Cruze is Naked in China

The very first Spy Shots of the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze without any camouflage, seen here completely naked on a factory parking lot in Shanghai, China. The new Chevrolet Cruze will debut on the 2014 Beijing Auto Show and will be launched on the China car market in the second half of the year.

The Chevrolet Cruze is manufactured in China by the Shanghai-GM joint venture. Price of the current car starts at 108.900 yuan and ends at 159.900 yuan. Engines: 121hp 1.6 and a 147hp 1.8.

The current Chevrolet Cruze (more than one million made) will continue alongside the new 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. It will be called ‘Cruze Classic’ and positioned as a budget alternative to the new Cruze, in the same fashion as Ford does with the Focus Classic and new Focus. Price of the Cruze Classic will start around 90.000 yuan.

Price of the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze will start around 120.000 yuan. The 2015 Cruze will be powered by a new 1.5 that will replace the old 1.6, and by a new 1.4 turbo that will replace the old 1.8.

The 1.5 has an output of 112hp and 146nm and will be mated to a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The 1.4 turbo has an output of 148hp and 235nm and will be mated to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG.

Shanghai-GM badge on the left. This particular car is a 1.4 turbo.

Split grille stays on, now with the Chevy bow tie sitting kinda cramped in the upper part. Headlights having a tad of Kia.

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VW launches hybrid up! citycar in Tokyo

Volkswagen has unveiled a hybrid version of its up! city car at the Tokyo Motor Show.  The twin up! concept car uses a 0.8-litre two-cylinder turbodiesel engine in series with a 27 kW electric motor and a seven-speed DSG gearbox – a version of the drivetrain found in the pioneering XL1 – and offers combined fuel consumption of 256.8 mpg.

All new Volkswagen vehicles are deigned to accept alternative power trains as well as conventional ones, so only minor modifications (such as lengthening the front overhang by 30 mm) were necessary to fit the plug-in hybrid drivetrain into the four-seat twin up!.

The twin up!’s diesel engine and electric motor each produce up to 35 kW, while the maximum system power output of the twin up!’s front-mounted drivetrain is 55 kW.  The 8.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, 12 V battery and 33-litre fuel tank are all located between the rear seats and the boot.

Good aerodynamics (0.30 Cd), a low unladen weight (1,205 kg) despite the addition of the lithium-ion batteries and 165/65 R15 tyres optimised for low rolling resistance all help to maximise the twin up!’s efficiency, and to achieve the 256.8 mpg combined fuel consumption figure and 27 g/km CO2 emissions.

A decoupling clutch between the diesel and electric motors allows the electric motor to operate independently.  Provided that there is sufficient battery charge, the driver can press the e-mode button for emissions-free driving.

On electric power alone the twin up! can operate at speeds of 77 mph, and accelerate from zero to 37 mph in 8.8 seconds.  The range on batteries alone is up to 31 miles.  Using diesel and electric motors together, the car can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 15.7 seconds, and on to a top speed of 87 mph.  Combined torque peaks at 215 Nm.

When braking, the electric motor acts as a generator, and the braking energy is used to charge the battery.  Under appropriate conditions the TDI engine can be used to charge the main traction battery.

Externally, the twin up! follows design cues familiar from the all-electric e-up! model, and also includes flowing blue double stripes above the sills.  The main paint colour is ‘Sparkling White’, which includes blue flakes that create a spectacular changing pattern.  The interior is dominated by an off-white ‘Ceramic’ colour, with a fabric and leather combination upholstery featuring blue piping and reflective strips on the seats’ centre panels.

The instrument panel is bespoke, and all instrumentation is digital.  The visual image and content of the instruments change according to the vehicle’s driving mode (hybrid or all-electric).  In hybrid mode the accents are white, while in pure electric mode they are blue.

The central infotainment screen is configurable by the user, while for the first time in a Volkswagen the automatic climate controls below are exclusively digital.  This innovative concept uses Active Matrix Organic LED (AMOLED) displays.