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  Volkswagen claims its new van range comes with a 10 per cent fuel saving. Photo Gallery

The art of transporting people and cargo gets even more sophisticated early next year...

...when Volkswagen in Australia debuts its 2010 Caravelle and Transporter models. The art of transporting people and cargo gets even more sophisticated early next year when Volkswagen in Australia debuts its 2010 Caravelle and Transporter models.

To be first shown at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show, the people movers and commercial van range will appear here in much the same line-up as the existing model. But Volkswagen Group Australia spokesman Karl Gehling says unlike most markets, there will be no California model.

Volkswagen claims its new van range comes with a 10 per cent fuel saving and has the latest technology, comfort and safety features. The vans are based on the architecture of the current model though externally pick up Volkswagen's passenger car — predominantly the Golf — look in the nose section. There's also new tail lights and mirrors.

Bigger news is the latest generation electronic stability control system that comes with hill-start assist and an emergency brake light function. Available as an option will be a side-assist lane change system — which warns the driver of anything in the vehicle's blind spot — and a new tyre monitor display to alert the driver to any decrease in tyre pressures.

Drive trains in Europe include the latest 103kW/220Nm, 137kW/250Nm, 188kW/340Nm and 242kW/400Nm turbo-diesel engines that meet the latest Euro-5 emissions standard. VGA is yet to specify engine choices for Australia.

The new models also get the choice of the seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. This will also be available later in 2010 with the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system that will incorporate the fourth generation Haldex coupling.