Date:         Thu, 4 Dec 2003 21:10:23 -0500
Reply-To:     Wolfgang Ziegler <ziegler@PRINCETON.OILFIELD.SLB.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Wolfgang Ziegler <ziegler@PRINCETON.OILFIELD.SLB.COM>
Subject:      T5 and camper
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=us-ascii

Dear Vanagon-list,

I just got back from one of my trips 'back home' where I took the
opportunity to visit a VW dealer downtown.
When I asked about the new van (which is available in Germany since May)
they send me away from the sporty Audis, luxus-VW and popular city-hopper
Lupo, downstairs, around a corner all the way to the end: Nutzfahrzeuge
(utility vehicles).

Sorry if this was described here before - I only report this because I was
pretty excited about the look, functionality, and space !

I really liked sitting behind the wheel (with over 6'4" for me the Eurovan
just isn't as comfortable as my Vanagon): ratchet the seat down, lift wheel
and all seems ok. Having the 6-speed shift stick or 6-speed Automatic lever
sticking out the dash allows for quite some room on the floor in the front!
The rails in the back for seats, seat row and table are pretty clever (and
I can think of many other uses). two sliding doors - quite a matrix of
accessories - you can check it out at WWW.VWN.com (VWN-utzfahrzeug :)

Most engines (mostly diesel for European market) seem to be new as well -
especially the V6 with 173kW

The camper 'California' (all Aluminum cabinet components, no wood - small
gas cartridge for stove - clever electric top ) will be available in March
- I will try to test drive in May.

What I din't like was the price tag - the Multivan Comfortline (currently
the only model with V6) runs at $39,600 (V6 4Motion 6-speed or 6-speed
automatic ) or $33,000 (2.5l Diesel, 6-speed standard)

The standard Multivan 4cyl 5speed runs at $28,600
The camper is only available with Diesel engines - standard camper: $41,700
(2.5l Diesel, 6-speed standard)

All prices  w/o sales tax. $1.2/Euro - maybe the T5 will be available here
when the Euro drops back to 85c :)
The dealer did not know of any plans for the US marked - anyone heard
anything? VW announced a week ago that they are not willing to enter the
price-war in the US with any model - so I will continue to maintain my 88GL
for the next years...

Cheers,
Wolfgang