VW Transporter T6.1

THE VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER KOMBI & PANEL VAN

The Volkswagen Transporter Kombi van is an iconic commercial van with an image and reputation to match. The latest Volkswagen Kombi and Panel van 6th generation T6/T6.1 hit UK roads in 2016 and has set the bar for quality and practicality.

The Transporter Kombi has a generous load compartment, is designed for everyday heavy use, provides rubber flooring in the passenger compartment, a 938-1,206kg payload, 3.8-6.5m load volume, 1,600-2,938mm load length and 1,700mm load width.

The Kombi 6.1 allows you a choice of body type, 1 of 2 wheelbases, 2 roof heights, 3 van weights (T28, T30, T32) and 5 or 6 seats. Plus, a choice of trim versions (Startline up to Highline), engine BPH (110, 150, 204) and transmission/drivetrain options (manual/DSG and FWD/4Motion respectively) in diesel or electric. You can also add optional equipment.

The Kombi and Panel van are available on finance lease, contract hire, or (with a generous discount on) an outright purchase from Swiss Vans. As the Volkswagen Kombi is one of our bestsellers, we always have them in stock, speeding up your delivery time. In fact, we often deliver to your door within as little as two weeks.

We always hold some large stock of our highest spec vans and we sell both the VW Kombi and Panel van. Our friendly, helpful sales team can walk you through all the options and available accessories. Why not jump on a call, we can help make life simpler, safer and more enjoyable?

History of the VW Transporter: 1947-2021

Looking back over the past 7 decades.

2020: Volkswagen Transporter turned 70 in 2020, by which time, over 13 million VW Transporters had been produced in over 6 generations (since 8 March 1950 in fact). This makes for the longest run of any commercial vehicle in history. VW Transporter goes by many names. Type 2, Bulli, Kombi, Samba, Microbus, and most famously the basis for the Camper known as the California. The van has been produced widely as a Panel van, Kombi van, people carrier, minibus, and chassis cab and as the basis of the Caravelle (German multi van) and Shuttle.

1990: T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 names were applied in retrospect when the T4 model was first introduced in 1990.

1980s: The last major variant arrived in 1986 in the shape of the 4-wheel drive syncro model, launched to compete with Japanese 4x4s.

1970s: Styling moved towards a flat surfaced, chiselled edge look instead of the gentle panel curves, and larger volume benefits to cargo carrying came along with the longer wheelbase and wider body – by now it is starting to look more like the VW Transporter we see and love today.

1967: By the end of T1’s production in 1967, 1.9 million Transporter vans had been built and the VW Transporter van has become a cultural icon in the flower-power movement (AKA, the hippie bus).

1947-50: The first Volkswagen Transporter, was brainchild of Dutch importer ‘Pon Bon’, who spotted a parts mover when visiting the Beetle factory in 1946 and thought the idea could be adapted to become a production commercial vehicle. His sketches emerged in 1947 and the first hand-built prototype (Type 29) was produced in 3 months using a ladder frame chassis. Full production was approved in 1949, and the first generation (T1) was born in 1950.

WAYS TO FINANCE A VW TRANSPORTER

Our payment options include finance lease, buying outright, lease purchase, hire purchase and contract hire. We can help you find the best finance options for your needs. VW Transporter lease deal, is by far the most popular way to pay, allowing either say a 40% of van price on final payment, or as little as a £500 +VAT deposit upfront. Simple outright purchases are available at Swiss Vans as well. For hire and lease purchase options, we can advise on financing options. VAT upfront payments have now relaxed, but maybe a large balloon payment option can offset company profits.

VW TRANSPORTER KOMBI & PANEL MODIFICATIONS

When you buy a Volkswagen Transporter Kombi or Panel van from us, you can choose from a huge range of extras. We have a workshop in South Wales for van modifications. All of which can be added to your finance package. Select from a range of spoilers, engine re-map, lowering springs, ICE Stereo, to name a just a few. If you’re looking for something different, check out our VW Kombi WASP, exclusive to Swiss Vans.

The WASP (‘Wheel and Styling Package’) has 18” alloys, sidebars, rear spoiler and a front splitter that will completely transform the look of your van. You can also get a roof bars to complete the look. The WASP kit can be added to both Kombi and Panel vans. You choose your body style and engine size then leave the rest to us – we will do our magic in our workshop. You don’t need to stop there either; you can customise with high end upgrades too on bigger alloys, carpet lining, leather interior and matt wraps. See VW Transporter WASP for further information on the Kombi WASP.

The HORNET is based on highline spec with 199PS and Automatic DSG transmission. The Hornet package comprises front splitter, side bars, roof bars, rear spoiler, 20” alloys, 30mm lowering and 5 seats in custom leather. If you don’t want to stop here you can soundproof, carpet, insulate and upgrade to 4 rear LED spotlights. For more, see our New VW Transporter Hornet  page.

The ABT is based on the VW Transporter T6.1 Highline, where the full ABT kit includes front splitter, grille, side skirts, rear apron and spoiler. Check out VW Transporter ABT for more detail.

The Volkswagen Transporter Kombi is sought-after and gives excellent value for money. The Kombi has two fixed front seats and three rear removable seats allowing you to transport both people and cargo in comfort.  The VW Transporter Kombi offers excellent MPG, adding to the value.

There are a whole host of variations available to you, such as LWB, metallic paint, colour coded bumpers, and automatic gearbox. All new T6.1 vans come with 3-year warranty and VW Assistance.

VW TRANSPORTER MODELS AND KOMBI DERIVED MODEL

Our customers have come to expect with the latest evolution of the VW Transporter T6.1, a range of body styles, wheelbases, weights, trims and engine/transmission options to suit their exact needs.

VW Transporter Body Styles

The VW Transporter comes as a Panel van (3 passengers only) or Kombi van (with two rows of seats). Body styles range from a simple Panel van up to TV Transporter Kombis and their adaptions up to high end camper vans. The Kombi derived models (WASP, HORNET, ABT) are based on kits with upgrades on their body work, wheels and other elements.

The Transporter van height is almost always low roof, but a high roof can be factory ordered. The VW Transporter is also available in short wheel or long wheelbase. The VW Transporter Kombi gives a bit of best of both worlds, with options to remove seats in the back. Perfect for when you want to jump in the van on the weekends for a camping getaway!

VW Transporter Weights

The letter T in the type of weight from T26 to T32 relates to the Transporter van weight. From 2600kg to 3200kg respectively, you can choose your weight on models depending on your cargo and/or passenger weight needs. Our Swiss Vans team can help assess payload requirements. The Kombi 6.1 allows you a choice of 3 van weights- T28, T30 and T32.

VW Transporter Trim Style

 The body trim line style comprises of three trim options. Startline, Highline and Sportline. A typical 2021 VW Transporter Kombi specification includes 110PS 2 litre engine (remappable to 180PS with ease), the same tried and tested diesel engine, electric windows, single side load door, 5 seats and a rear bench, opening side windows, rubber load floor cover, App-Connect and optional business pack that gives aircon and reversing sensors.

Main VW Transporter Kombi 6.1 Highline features include, in addition to the standard features – climatic air-conditioning, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, 16″ Clayton alloy wheels or 17-inch alloys, laminated, heated windshield, separate daytime running light with automatic headlight control, parking sensors and a coming home feature. Inside there is the driver seat armrest on the front passenger seat in the Kombi, leather multi-function steering wheel, gear knob and gaiter, luxurious simora cloth upholstery, heated windscreen, automatic dimming rear-view mirror with rain sensor, automatic driving light control and cruise control.

VW Transporter Engine BHP & Transmission

 The VW Transporter Kombi and Panel van is made in 3 engines – 110, 150 and 204. Gears come as manual or automatic (DSG). The T6.1 is only available with 2.0 litre TDI turbodiesel engines. At Swiss Vans we  offer the following power outputs:

• 110hp / 250Nm (single turbo)
• 150hp / 340Nm (single turbo)
• 199hp / 450Nm (bi-turbo) until early 2021
• 204 / 450Nm (bi-turbo) from early 2021

The 110hp motor is combined with a 5-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive (FWD); the 150hp engine comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, with the option to upgrade to a 7-speed DSG automatic of 4Motion 4-wheel drive (4WD). The range-topping 199hp and 204hp versions come with the 7-speed DSG auto and FWD as standard with the option to go 4WD if you want the most expensive set-up possible.

The 110hp feels powerful enough for city driving even loaded, but hills and fast roads are a different matter. You may be wise to spend the extra on the 150hp to ensure performance. Jump up to 150hp and it makes a big difference – especially with that extra gear in the transmission, keeping engine noise down at high speeds. The 110 revs at around 2,500rpm, at 70mph it can still be a bit noisy.

The range topping twin-turbo is fast by van standards making it the most powerful mid-size van out there. It makes a lovely lifestyle van at this level with the DSG automatic transmission.

VW Transporter Drivetrain & Fuel Types

 Drivetrain options include forward-drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AKA 4-wheel drive/4Motion) for the VW T6/6.1. The 4WD version is made for off-roading and suits the VW Transporter Swamper. Fuel types have extended to more sustainable fuel with the VW Electric Transporter offering a fully electric run VW van.

TYPICAL 2021 VW TRANSPORTER KOMBI SPECIFICATIONS

The VW Transporter T30 SWB Highline 150 BHP Diesel DSG FWD is the bestselling VW Transporter at Swiss Vans today. This classy, high spec transporter has great features as standard.  It also makes an excellent starting point for further Swiss Vans modification. The majority of our Transporter WASPs start life as a Highline Kombi or Highline Panel Van.

A typical 2020 VW Transporter Kombi Spec:

• 110 PS 2 litre engine
• The same tried and tested diesel engine
• Electric windows
• Single side load door
• 5 Seats as standard and a rear bench as standard
• Opening side windows
• Rubber load floor cover
• App-Connect
• Optional business pack that gives aircon and reversing sensors

See the official VW website for the full Transporter 6.1 specs.

VW TRANSPORTER SPORTLINE T6.1

Meet Volkswagen’s new (2021) Sportline Transporter T6.1, combining the best features VW Transporter 6.1 can offer, with exterior/interior upgrades to give the van a more versatile elegance to match the top engine performance. This new model comes with a bagful of sporty styling additions and technological improvements, including a red grille strip, new dashing bumper and rear spoiler, all exclusive features to that cut a smart figure on the road, echoing the good looks of the GTI.

Discover more at VW Transporter Sportline T6.1 page.

ELECTRIC VW TRANSPORTER KOMBI

The new ABT e-Transporter is an all-electric version of the iconic Transporter 6.1. By combining our expertise with ABT e-Line we have the same top standards you have come to love from our Swiss Vans vehicles. Updating the drivetrain to be more sustainable in today’s climate makes sense. The Electric VW Transporter or e-Transporter is made by ABT, as in the body kit manufacturer who makes the VW Transporter ABT.

With a range of up to 82 miles, the ABT e-Transporter Kombi 6.1 is perfectly suited to many different business types, including couriers, delivery drivers and local businesses. Well suited to urban drivers, with no tax in inner cities, multiple charge points, lower fuel costs, best van resale values and free access to emission zones.

The Electric VW Transporter Kombi’s ‘engine’ is emissionless, silent and accelerates from 0-60 in 17 seconds. The e-Transporter is rear wheel drive via an adapted DSG gearbox. Both Panel and Kombi van options are available to order and come with a choice of standard Startline or Highline Specification trims. The Electric Transporter van has a 1000kg payload and absorbs an 80% charge in 45 minutes (or 5.5 hours to a 100% charge on 7.2 AC home chargers).

For forward thinking businesses that care about the planet, living in urban settings (or dedicated to making it work in rural ones with less charge points) this is for you. Find out more about the Electric VW Transporter Kombi van.

VW Transporter Reviews and awards

It’s no secret that the VW Transporter is a recognised top choice for UK van drivers. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for example scooped a double award at the What Van? Awards 2021.

The iconic VW Transporter claimed Used Van of the Year 2021 while the VW Transporter T6.1 was crowned Medium Van of the Year 2021. In 2020, the VW Transporter T6.1 was named Medium Van of the Year and VW Transporter won Used Van of the Year.

What our clients say about Swiss Vans:

‘We are over the moon with our new VW Kombi Van and can’t wait to start our road trips. Keep up the great work guys.’ (Mrs Webster)

‘Great customer service provided by Ashley and his team when choosing my van! Great choices, fast response and delivery too! Highly recommend Swiss Vans!’ (Charlotte S.)

‘Great service and the end product, perfect.’ (Jason Riley)

VW Transporter Van Dimensions

You probably already have an idea about what you need from your ideal van and what you’ll need to carry in terms of the heaviest, tallest, widest or longest load. There different trim lines available for – from the robust Startline up to the luxurious Highline, each delivering its own distinct feel and offering solutions for a vast range of tasks. Your choice. And remember, that’s not all. Every Transporter is available with a wide range of options and accessories, designed to further help tailor your vehicle to your own particular needs.

Think about the maximum length and height of your load. This will help you choose a wheelbase and roof height. If you need to carry more than 2 passengers, you’ll need to consider a Transporter Kombi. Think about payload, the heaviest load you need to carry. This will help you choose what’s suitable (for the record, a T30 suits a camper conversion).

Kombi T6.1 (see full VW Kombi Van spec)

• Payload: 938-1,206kg
• Load Volume 3.8-6.5m
• Load length 1,600 – 2,938mm
• Load width 1,700mm
• Seats up to 6

Panel T6.1 (see full VW Panel Van spec)

• Payload: 713-1,309kg
• Load Volume 5.8-9.3m
• Load length 2,572-2,975mm
• Load width 1,700mm
• Seats up to 3

For further information simply jump on a call, we can help make life easier, safer and more enjoyable with your perfect new van or fleet of vans.