Driven - The Volkswagen T6.1 Caravelle
Quick Facts
- Price: From R1 166.600 Options fitted
- Two-tone metallic paint
- Adaptive Chassis Control
- Engine: 2.0 BiTDI engine
- Power/Torque: 146kW / 450Nm
- Transmission: Seven-speed DSG
- Fuel Consumption: 8.2l/100(claimed) 8.9l/100(tested)
The Volkswagen Caravelle needs no introduction, The Cara Cara as it is affectionately known has been around for many years and most of us have a story to tell or feel some nostalgia when we see one, I mean if you are based in Pretoria then you will know just how everyone who stays in Phelindaba would rather wait to get into a Cara Cara to get home rather than getting into the other taxi. So when Volkswagen sent the T6.1 Caravelle my way for a week, I was excited for the week ahead.
The T6.1 looks extremely beautiful, my test unit was dressed in two-tone maroon and silver colour paint which looks really well and works even better with the alloys it was sitting on. While the T6.1 see some subtle exterior and interior changes over the T6, all the changes work and make a difference. The exterior changes are new LED lights at the front and rear as well as Day Running Lights and a broader radiator grille with a chrome finish that flows into a new bumper, the other visual cue that lets you know that it is a T6.1 is the Caravelle badging on either side of the front.
The rear electric door which can be opened and closed via the key fob or by pressing a button inside lets everyone know that the T6.1 Caravelle is a force to be reckoned with.
Stepping inside, It features improved and clear displays, a 10.25-inch virtual cockpit that delivers customisable driving data, seamless connectivity between your smartphone and the VW infotainment system’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is all wireless.
Fitted with seven seats, two seats at the front and five in the rear, the front seats are electronically adjustable with memory function and are also both heated making those winter mornings a joy to drive. The rear seats are ultimately where everyone wants to be, space can be easily adjusted by sacrificing the boot space and you can easily seat five grown adults with ease. I would have loved a heated seat option in the rear as the leather can get extremely cold early in the mornings however the rear passengers can control their own climate.
The T6.1 has a generous roof and leg volume seating for seven. The middle row can be easily swivelled by turning a lever underneath while the table housed in the middle can be raised and utilised with ease.
There are 2 USB C ports up front and another two in the rear as well as 12V socket outlets which make charging effortless, I would have preferred an extra 2 USB ports for rear passengers. The driver and passenger also benefit from a Wireless fast charger which was bliss and ultimately the best wireless charger I have used in a while.
The T6.1 Caravelle is powered by a two-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine that produces 146kw/450nm of torque and will sprint from a standstill to 100 in just 10.3 seconds, believe it or not, Volkswagen has even fitted the T6.1 with launch control and as heavy as the T6.1 might be, it sure does drive smoothly and because of the optional Adaptive chassis control that was fitted on my test unit, everything felt like a magic carpet ride. The driving dynamics are more of an SUV than an MPV and I think they have perfectly executed this, there are also various driver aids to help you such as Lane Keep Assist, Cruise control, Electronic Stability Control, Automatic Post-Collision Braking, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Assist, Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator, Trailer Assist and Light Assist just to name a few and my favourite had to be the Park Assist which helps a lot considering how big the minibus is.
Frugality is another department that has been aced in the T6.1, over my 1000km tenure with it, I averaged just under 9.0l/100km which was not far off from the claimed figures. To aid with fuel consumption, the T6.1 receives an electro-mechanical power steering which is said to reduce fuel consumption.
What I liked:
- Two-tone Colour scheme
- Driver aids
- Engine performance, comfortable ride and handling, practicality
What I did not like:
- The traditional handbrake, I felt that an electronic handbrake would've completed the overall premium feel within the cabin
Pricing
R1 166.600
Warranty & Service
- Warranty 3 years /120 000km
- Maintenance Plan 5 years / 60 000km
- Service interval 15 000km
