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MANY OPTIONS: SWB, LWB, single cab, double cab, the Transporter aims to please.

The Japanese rule the one-ton bakkie market in South Africa. Toyota, Isuzu, Nissan and Mazda are well-established marques in this sector with strong brand loyalty characterising their respective customer bases. As the demand for 'lifestyle' bakkies has grown, so has the sophistication of new LDVs, many of which now sporting all the mod cons of a luxury car. Despite these advances in design and comfort, most bakkie ranges still offer 'no-frills' workhorses to the commercial transporter who will invariably replace the standard load body with a custom-made one, be it a flat-bed, a drop side or a volume/refrigerated van body. For VW Commercial Vehicles, this 'scrapping' of a new load body presented a perfect opportunity to create a new niche for itself in the one-ton LDV market, writes Paul Collings.
 

A SPACIOUS 6-seater should keep the crew happy.

With a five-decade history, the legendary VW Kombi played a significant role in the light delivery sector, either as a panel van or open 'pick-up'. As we know, the new T5 range has replaced the Kombi, with a spread of vehicles to satisfy both goods and passenger transport operations. According to Jolyon Nash, Sales and Marketing Director for Volkswagen South Africa, "The LT was our first foray into medium commercial vehicles almost two years ago. Since then, we have expanded our range to include the very successful T5 Panelvan, T5 Crew Cab the Caddy Panelvan and more recently 35 to 65 seater buses. The new T5 Transporter fills a niche that has previously not been catered for either in our range or the market."
 

A TARP TOP provides an alternative to the usual hard body.

Chassis-cab option
The 'niche' Nash is referring to is that sector of the commercial transport industry that needs a one-tonner available on purchase as a chassis cab option. While other manufacturers may offer customised load bodies to bulk buyers (furniture retailers, for example) without charging for the original load box, smaller businesses generally have to buy the standard vehicle and chop the box off to fit one suitable for their application. VW Commercial Vehicles are offering the T5 Transporter as a chassis-cab option which, says Nash, lobs around R8000 off the purchase price of the standard aluminium dropside derivative.

Nash explains, "we're not attacking the traditional one-ton market. The T5 Transporter has several features, besides the chassis-cab option, that make it unique in its class. It's available in short or long wheel base, single and double cab options in four engine sizes with a maintenance-free manual gearbox and a six-speed tiptronic option. The aluminium dropside body offers more load space than its competitors and because there are no wheel arches in the load area, pallets can be loaded with ease and secured using the lashing points."

THE CHASSIS-CAB gives you options for your own body.

Power for payload
Three of the engine options are turbo diesel powered, one at 1.9L and two 2.5L capacities. The fourth powerplant option is a petrol-driven 3.2L V6. The engines produce torque ranging from 250Nm to 400Nm @ 2000rpm. Power output ranges from 77kW to 173kW. The serious 'workhorse' is surely the 2.5L TDI single cab, which pushes out 128kW and 400Nm @ 2000rpm carrying a load bay of 5.70m² - big enough and gutsy enough for cargo weighing well over a ton.

A four-wheel drive system known as 4Motion (Haldex System) is available on the 96kW 2.5TDI model. "The system automatically chooses the best transmission characteristics for the prevailing road and weather conditions," explains Nash, "to minimise the risk of loss of traction or skidding. It comes with a mechanical rear differential lock and optional high-rise suspension."

Safety as standard
"Another unique feature of the T5 range is the standard fitment on all models of front and rear disc brakes, as well as ABS, EDL (electronic differential lock), ASR (anti-slip regulation) and ETC (engine traction control)," adds Nash. "All models come with power steering and all seats in both single and double cabs are fitted with height-adjustable seatbelts and another standard feature is a first aid kit with a warning triangle."

An immobiliser with remote control/central locking, as well as alarm and unbreakable steering lock make up the standard security features on all Transporter derivatives.
  

A HALF-TON load of food destined for charity added a caring touch to the T5 Transporter's country-wide launch road show.

Cost efficiency
Fuel economy is crucial in a transport vehicle and the T5 isn't a big drinker with claimed consumption figures ranging between 7.1L/100km to 10.3L/100km at 90kph. The Transporter prices aren't hair raising either and match their Japanese rivals for affordability. The entry level 1.9L TDI goes for R142, 895, the 2.5L TDI SWB at 199 900 and the double cab 3.2L V6 for R228 900. There are several optional features like air conditioning, cruise control and fog lights to enhance the driving experience.

VW offers a 2-year/unlimited-km warranty with a 15 000km-service interval, as well as a 12 years anti-corrosion warranty, which gives an indication of the confidence supporting the launch of the fully imported Transporter. Nash and his team hope to sell at least 1000 units before the end of 2006, a feat that will be achieved through close co-operation between head office and the 15 VW Commercial Vehicles dealerships in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. 

It certainly looks like it means 'business' and with legislation pending that will outlaw the transporting of people in the load area of vehicles, the T5 Transporter could well find a ready market in several transport applications. FleetWatch's guess is that small construction businesses (and assorted SMMEs), distribution services and municipal fleets will be the early buyers, alongside the odd ex-hippie with a Day-Glo spray gun, perhaps.