Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 16:17:45 -0800
Reply-To: Harald Rust <harald_nancy_vw@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Harald Rust <harald_nancy_vw@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: New T5 auto review English translation
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
As forwarded from:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/vw-camping/
Here is a new review about the new T5 VW van
on a German site, Mobil.
http://focus.msn.de/D/DL/DLB/DLBE/DLBEA/dlbea.htm?snr=257
The following is a loose translation by me
from the German.
Particularly noteworthy in the fifth generation VW bus
is a new and intelligent communication system ,
“Bordkommunikationssystem” named digital voice
enhancement (DVE).
Here the driver and passengers can communicate
through six microphones installed in the ceiling,
and every word will be amplified through
the loud speakers of the sound system.
In addition, all passengers can participate in
communicating on telephone calls simultaneously,
if they can find the words in their astonishment.
Introduction:
New Fifth Generation VW Bus
53 years after production of the first bus named
“Samba”,
a new full-size van of the fifth generation will
be introduced in April 2003.
The new multi-van will combine highest flexibility
with modern technique.
The old bus became a symbol for freedom and
independence
of the young baby boom generation.
Even though the original cute charm of the “bug
derivative“
over time transformed into a box-like exterior,
the multi-van remained a class in itself.
This is the reason it always had a market-share
of 70% of all vans sold (in Germany/Europe).
Page 1:
Interior (Innenraum)
On first impression, the multi-van T5 does not
appear much different from the T4. From the front,
you notice the new larger clear glass headlights
and the enlarged VW emblem, which is similar to the
new off-road model Touareg.
The new rear-end seems higher. License plate,
rear lights, and VW logo are all higher.
These details and the smooth lines create a
modern and elegant look. From the side, the most
noticeable difference are the door handles.
The upright door handles of the predecessor
are replaced with ergonomic handles.
Inside the cockpit you notice the new center
console with the monitor of the navigation system
and joy-stick like shifter. There are also many
storage compartments and cup-holders.
Thanks to the relocation of the shifter,
it is easier for the driver or passenger to go
to the back. In the back you find 5 elegant
seats, which in the rear can be turned into a bed.
They can be moved around on tracks.
In the second seating row, the seats can
be turned against the driving direction.
There are no limits to the versatility.
There is also an optional table available.
Page 2:
Drivetrain (Fahrwerk)
There are many changes in the drivetrain.
Compared to the T4, the new T5 feels even more
like a limousine. The McPherson springs, struts, and
stabilizers are not directly connected to the body
anymore, but are instead connected to a separate
frame, which reduces road noise.
An additional benefit of this new premium
truck is its responsive and precise steering,
nimble in all turns.
There is a 4 channel ABS, stabilizing program ESP
(standard with V6), and brake-assist.
These features reduces negative results should
the driving habits become too euphoric.
(that’s what it says in German)
Page 3:
Motor
In the line-up are 2 gas and 3 diesel engines.
For price-conscious buyers whose top priority is not
driving-pleasure, the recommended motor would be
the 1.9 l TDI engine with 4 cylinders, 104 hp (77 kw).
A slow acceleration of 18.4 seconds from
0-100 km per hour, top speed of 159 kilometers.
This proves that the torque of 250 Nm have
to work hard to accelerate this 2.2 ton premier truck.
There is a reward of fuel-efficiency of only
7.7 liters diesel per 100 km.
More driving-pleasure is provided by the
five-cylinder TDI motors, with 2.5 l displacement,
96 kw, 131 hp or 128 kw, 174 hp.
They are not quiet, but provide good acceleration
with 340 or 400 Newtonmeter torque.
The weaker version needs 15.8 seconds for
the 0-100 km/hr acceleration, with a top speed
of 168 km/hr, and the stronger at 11.8 seconds,
and top speed of 188 km/hr.
Amazingly the stronger 2.5 l TDI, which has
25% more power, has the same fuel consumption
of 8 liters per 100 kilometers.
If you would rather burn gasoline than diesel,
and can afford it, you have a choice:
2 liter (like in the Sharan) 4 cylinder with
88 Kw (115 hp) or 3.2 liter
as in the Phaeton and Touareg) V6 with 170 Kw (231
hp).
Aside from fuel type, all motors are perfectly
harmonized with the new designed 6 speed
manual transmission.
The stick shift is located in the middle
of the dash, and looks like a joystick, with
very short and precise shifting.
There is a 6 speed automatic transmission
with tiptronic function for the 5 and 6 cylinder
models available.
One still has to wait another few months for
the all-wheel drive 4motion multi-van.
Page 4
Cost (Kosten)
No surprise that the multi-van has become more
expensive than the earlier model buses.
Entry price of around $33,000 with the basic version
of the 2.0 liter gas engine. The top version
with 3.2 liter VR-6 with 231 hp is “proudly”
around $45,300.
With this you will get a vehicle which is on
par with the premium models Phaeton and Touareg.
Page 5
Technical data (Datenblatt)
Multivan 2.5 TDI, inline 5, 2460 cubic cm,
174 hp at 3500 rpm, 400 nm (torque) at 2000 rpm,
188 km top speed, 6 sp manual.
Multivan 3.2 V6, VR6, 3189 cubic cm,
231 hp at 6200 rpm, 315 nm (torque) at 2900 rpm,
205 km top speed, 6 sp automatic.
Multivan 1.9 TDI, inline 4, 1896 cubic cm,
104 hp at 3500 rpm, 250 nm (torque) at 2000 rpm,
159 km top speed, 5 sp manual.
All of them are front-wheel drive.
Page 6
Summary (Fazit)
Like its predecessor, the new multi-van sets
standards in versatility. It has a well-designed
system that makes it easy to change the passenger
room layout.
In addition its nimble driving behavior of
the stronger engine versions gives the driver
the feeling of a limousine.
The shifting is made easy and fun with the joy-stick
and responsive transmission.
Standard equipment includes air-conditioning,
electric window lifters, and sun-shades.
This makes the large-volume VW an ideal travel
and fun mobile.
Harald Rust
‘90 westy
(translation, all rights reserved)
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