It is the icon of commercial vehicles: the Bulli. Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan and California. All are best-sellers. Over six generations from the T1 to the T6 . Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has sold nearly twelve million units worldwide. Now the product line is getting a big update: T6.1. The latest edition of an icon. Digitalised and connected. With an array of new assistance systems, digital instruments for the first time and the latest generation of Volkswagen infotainment systems with continual online access. Also new: the design of the front end and the dash panel The latest TDI engines (90 to 199 PS) deliver the propulsive power. A new powertrain option in the Bulli is an all-electric drive system. The new T6.11 will launch in first countries in Fall 2019.
Multivan 6.1 has new interactive assistance systems and progressive infotainment systems.
On 21sf of February, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles presented the Bulli 6.1 to an audience of international media representatives in the Autostadt Wolfsburg – just a few metres from the place where the first prototypes of the model series were built 70 years ago. Ever since, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has continually reinvented, further developed, and improved the blueprint for European transporters, large vans and caravans. This update is no exception. Dr. Thomas Sedran, Chairman of the Management Board of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: “The new T6.1 is the car for the here and now. We have taken a proven vehicle and updated its assistance and infotainment systems and connectivity to the state of the art today. The hydraulic power steering of the T6 has given way to an electromechanical system in the T6.1. This changes everything, because it opens up access to new assistance systems. In the T6.1 we wanted to set new standards in vehicle safety, convenience and comfort. Especially important to us was driving stability. And we have made significant progress here.”
Dr Thomas Sedran, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, at the presentation of the T6.1, the “icon, updated”.
The new assistance systems include Cross Wind Assist which is included as standard. It automatically stabilises the Bulli 6.1 whenever strong wind gusts blow. New equipment options: the Lane Assist lane-keeping system; now parking is simplified by Park Assist; the Side Protection option is now available so that everything goes right in manual manoeuvring; Rear View Assist avoids accidents when reversing; and Trailer Assist makes manoeuvring with a trailer easier. The range of new systems is supplemented by a dynamic road sign display.
Always on: internet radio, streaming and new online services based on eSIM card integrated in the infotainment system.
The dash panel of the T6.1 has been redesigned. Albert Kirzinger, Head of Design: “We have systematically tailored the driver’s workplace requirements to the digital world in the vehicle.” This fulfilled the preconditions for integrating the Digital Cockpit (fully digital instruments) and the third generation of the modular infotainment matrix (MIB3) in the T6.1. The fusion of the Digital Cockpit and the MIB3 creates a new digital landscape of displays and controls.
(from left) Dr Thomas Sedran, CEO of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Albert Kirzinger, Head of Design Department at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Jörn Hasenfuß, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles responsible for Procurement, Heinz-Jürgen Löw, Member of the Brand Board of Management for Sales and Marketing at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Dr Josef Baumert, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles responsible for Production und Logistics.
The most important new equipment feature of all infotainment systems is an integrated SIM card (eSIM). This eSIM opens up a new range of online-based functions and services. The MIB3 systems also offer features such as internet radio and music streaming services. The eSIM makes user operation more intuitive. That is because the new 8 inch and 9.2 inch infotainment systems in the T6.1 can now react to natural language commands.
Digitalised: new Bulli 6.1 is the first of the brand’s models to feature the new Digital Cockpit.
The engine programme has been reconfigured as well. The T6.1 will launch with highly efficient 2.0 litre turbodiesel engines (2.0 TDI engines with outputs from 66 kW / 90 PS to 146 kW / 199 PS). They all fulfil the Euro-6d-TEMP-EVAP emissions standard. Based on a partnership with ABT, the T6.1 will even be offered as a zero emission vehicle (82 kW / 112 PS). Battery capacities of up to 77.6 kWh enable driving ranges of more than 400 km (NEDC) – making the vehicle ideal for commercial duty in the urban world.
Efficient: low-emitting TDI engines and the first electric zero-emission version.