2015 VW Transporter detailed

The sixth generation of the Volkswagen Transporter arrives in Australia in November with a range of upgrades aimed at making life easier for owners and operators.

Fuel savings, comfort and safety have been targeted this time around but this is not an all-new van as the Transporter retains the same basic structure. The Australian Transporter cargo vans will also carry over existing Euro 5 engines with only minor changes and miss out on the more efficient and cleaner burning Euro 6 engines that have been introduced in Europe. Those engines feature stop-start technology and Selective Catalytic Reduction with AdBlue fluid.

One of the new Euro 6 engines, the 150TDI, could make it to Australia but it will be in the people-moving Multivan rather than the cargo-carrying versions.

VW Australia is not ready to disclose the range's full details, but says it will likely mirror the existing line-up, although a new high-spec Business model will be added to cater for corporate shuttle customers.

Options will include a regular cargo van with short, medium and long wheelbases, a crew-cargo van and cab-chassis as well as a seven-seat Multivan and nine-seat Caravelle.

The Business model is a high-end version of the Multivan.

The new Transporter's design is a gentle progression from the existing model, in line with the company's theory of mild evolution. The Transporter retains the same basic dimensions — to the point existing ladder racks and cargo area fit-outs can be carried over — but has a sleeker and smarter front-end design.

The cabin overhaul brings a new-look interior that is both practical and smart

Customers are able to option the Transporter with full LED headlights. Minor changes tidy up the rear design and continue the clean, crisp design language.

The vans look quite different depending on the trim level selected; the base model looks plain and practical, while the top-spec people-movers look classy with lots of chrome and optional two-tone paint.

The cabin overhaul brings a new-look interior that is both practical and smart. All of the controls have been laid out neatly within easy reach and the new-look display screen for the radio is located high up on the dashboard. As was the case with previous Transporter models, the gearshift protrudes from the dashboard near the steering wheel.

This generation Transporter introduces electric seat adjustment for the driver as an option, while leather seats are also on the options list.

There are a range of optional assistance features that could make life a lot easier for van drivers including adaptive cruise control, which uses radar to maintain a safe distance from the car in front.

This version of the system is able to come to a complete stop in traffic and get going again, all the driver need to do is lift off the brake when it is time to go.

Automatic emergency braking has also been introduced in order to help avoid low speed crashes in urban environments.

Stop-start engine technology is standard in Europe but it is not clear whether the feature will be on the older Euro 5-compliant engines that will make up the majority of the local line-up.

Australia will have only diesel engines, 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo jobs.

The most likely transmission choices for Australia are a six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual. As with the existing model, the new Transporter will be available with all-wheel drive as an option.

The cargo dimensions are likely to carry over from the last generation, ranging from 5.8 cubic metres to 9.8 cubic metres for the cargo vans.