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| Amarok V6 TDI |
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| Amarok V6 TDI |
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| Amarok V6 TDI |
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| Transporter Rockton |
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| Caddy Edition 35 with 4Motion |
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| Multivan PanAmericana |
- Thanks to 4MOTION all-wheel drive as a standard feature, new Transporter Rockton reaches every professional application
- New Multivan Panamericana has been developed for the globetrotters among ‘Bulli’ drivers
- New special model Caddy Edition 35 launches with exclusive equipment and optional all-wheel drive
- New Amarok 4MOTION with V6 TDI engines and enlarged range of equipment picks up further speed
Hannover / Wächtersbach, March 2017 – Models with all-wheel drive have had a special status within the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range for more than 30 years. The reasons are clear: four driven wheels – called 4MOTION at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – guarantee mobility in places where other drive versions have to throw in the towel. In 2017, the specialist for tailor-made mobility solutions is expanding its all-wheel drive range further. With an entire armada of modern all-rounders that have 4MOTION all-wheel drive on board either as an option or as a standard feature. Their names are Caddy Edition 35 and Alltrack, Transporter Rockton, Multivan Panamericana, Amarok Comfortline and Amarok Canyon. All of these Volkswagen commercial vehicles share one common feature: traction without comprises.
4MOTION – maximum traction and large trailer loads
The 4MOTION models from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles securely weave their way on every terrain and in all weather conditions. They cope with missions on unsurfaced tracks, building sites, festivals or campsites just as effectively as they do with situations involving snowfall, ice or aquaplaning. In addition, thanks to their high trailer loads (up to 3,500 kg depending on the model), well-balanced driving characteristics and clever assistance systems, 4MOTION models make ideal towing vehicles.
All-wheel drive in fashion – volume of 4MOTION vehicles is growing
The fact is that more and more business and private customers of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are opting for all-wheel drive. Of the 477,000 Volkswagen commercial vehicles delivered in 2016, 88,500 were equipped with 4MOTION all-wheel drive – equivalent to one in five vehicles for the Caddy, T series and Amarok. With the Caddy as an example, the share of 4MOTION worldwide is now almost 10 per cent; in strong all-wheel drive markets such as Norway, for example, it is even as high as 60 per cent, in Switzerland more than one in three Caddy vehicles has 4MOTION (36 per cent) while in Austria the figure is almost one in three (29.4 per cent). There is a similar picture for the T model range: internationally, an average of 23 per cent of all Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan and California vehicles are ordered as 4MOTION versions; here too Norway is again far ahead of the field with almost 83 per cent, in Germany the figure is almost one in four and in Switzerland and Austria almost every other vehicle of the T model series has 4MOTION. The new Crafter is also available with all-wheel drive. The 4MOTION share of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is also rising due to the Amarok, which is currently being offered in Europe with permanent all-wheel drive as a standard feature; in summer 2017 a rear-wheel drive version is set to keep it company. Worldwide, the current share of 46 per cent means that almost every other Amarok is fitted with 4MOTION.
Across all models, the most important European 4MOTION markets for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. In South and Central America, too, as well as Australia, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is enjoying success with significant shares of vehicles equipped with 4MOTION thanks to the Amarok.
Caddy 4MOTION – the compact space giant
The Caddy marks the entry level to the world of 4MOTION models at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The latest generation of the compact van first came onto the market in 2015; in 2016, the series was extended with the addition of new versions such as the Caddy Family. The latest model is the recently premiered Caddy Edition 35. Various versions of the best-selling vehicle are supplied with all-wheel drive. The spectrum here ranges from window and panel vans designed for commercial use, via the equipment ranges of Conceptline, Trendline, Comfortline, Highline and Family that tend to be employed more for private purposes, to the Beach leisure mobile. All of these Caddy 4MOTION versions can be ordered with the option of an extended wheelbase (3,006 instead of 2,681 mm) as a Caddy Maxi. The Caddy Alltrack currently forms an optical link to the offroad models of the brand. It is generally supplied with a short wheelbase.
One complete newcomer to the range is the Caddy Edition 35. Its name says it all: this is how Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is celebrating the 35th birthday of the model range. Features of the special model: high level of functionality augmented by exclusive styling and discreet dynamics. Wheelbase: 2,681 mm The Caddy Edition 35 4MOTION is – like every all-wheel drive model of the series – available with two high-torque turbodiesel engines with direct injection (TDI). They deliver 90 kW / 122 PS and 110 kW / 150 PS. The 122 PS engine is always supplied with a 6-speed manual transmission; the 150 PS Caddy leaves the plant with a 6-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) as standard.
T series with 4MOTION – the all-wheel drive icons
Launched in its sixth generation in 2015, the Transporter is regarded as an icon. Precisely 70 years ago, the series was "invented" in a stroke of genius by Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon. Against this backdrop, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has just unveiled the 70 Years of Bulli special edition at the Geneva International Motor Show. However, the first official Bulli with all-wheel drive made its debut in 1984 as a T3 and bore the additional designation syncro. This marked the beginning of the success story of the all-wheel drive models from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Accompanying the change in model from T4 to T5 in 2003 was a technical reorientation of the all-wheel drive – the viscous clutch deployed up until that time made way for a modern multi-plate clutch. At the same time, syncro became 4MOTION.
The electronically regulated multi-plate clutch of the all-wheel drive, which has undergone repeated refinement since its inception and is also used in the Caddy in this form, distributes the power smoothly between front and rear axles according to the specific driving situation. Under normal circumstances, power is supplied only to the front axle. And that saves fuel. As soon as the traction or handling conditions demand, the rear axle is engaged as well within fractions of a second. As options, the current 4MOTION models of the T Series can additionally be equipped with a mechanical rear differential lock as well as Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Assist. The assistance system uses targeted braking interventions and reduction in engine speed to make descending hills easier and safer.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offers all body versions of the T series with all-wheel drive as an alternative. Furthermore, numerous models can also be ordered in the 4MOTION version with extended wheelbase (3,400 instead of 3,000 mm). The performance range of the all-wheel drive models supplied with turbodiesel (TDI) and turbocharged petrol (TSI) engines extends from 110 kW / 150 PS (TDI) to 150 kW / 204 PS (TDI and TSI).
The new Transporter Rockton even has 4MOTION all-wheel drive fitted on board as standard, making it a work tool with offroad capability. In addition to the four powered wheels, standard equipment also includes a chassis set 30 mm higher and the mechanical rear differential lock. Separate underbody protection elements for engine, gearbox, rear differential, main silencer, side sills and tank perfect the offroad properties (also available together in the Protection package for all-wheel drive Transporters). The interior of the Rockton features an especially variable design when equipped with an optional floor track system, which enables three additional seats or a sliding mesh partition to be integrated.
All-wheel drive is optionally available for the new Multivan Panamericana – which has enjoyed cult status in the model range since the debut of the first Panamericana as a T4. The globetrotter among the vans combines outstanding resilience with exclusive equipment details. Standard equipment for the seven-seater, for example, includes a chassis raised by 20 mm, 17" alloy wheels, smoked LED rear lights, specially designed underbody protection, charismatic side sills, fabric seat covers with Alcantara inserts, a 3-zone climate control system (Air Care Climatronic with special allergy filter), the infotainment system Composition Colour with mobile telephone preparation, multifunction leather steering wheel and leather gear knob as well as rain sensor and automatically dimming rear-view mirror. Optionally available features such as two-tone leather upholstery or an internal floor with wood look make the Panamericana one of the most exclusive vans on the market.
Amarok 4MOTION – the pickup among SUVs
Actually it is a classical pickup. Yet after its extensive update in 2016 and conversion to new six-cylinder engines, the Amarok is encroaching more than ever into the domain of the classic SUV segment with its charismatic exterior and interior design together with its smooth handling and good quality attributes. Also contributing to this development is the recently introduced V6 TDI with an output of 150 kW / 204 PS and 500 Nm of torque – a 3.0-litre engine that is both efficient and comfortable. It is offered in connection with the now extended equipment line Comfortline, the similarly fresh, offroad-oriented Canyon model and now also the Highline equipment version introduced in autumn 2016. Always supplied as standard: the permanent all-wheel drive 4MOTION and an automatic 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Reserved exclusively for the Amarok Highline (as an option) and Amarok Aventura (as a standard feature) is the 165 kW / 224 PS version of the new V6 TDI. In this case, the six-cylinder delivers up to 550 Nm of torque towards the all-wheel drive. In the second half of the year, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles intends to extend the range of V6 TDI engines by adding an entry-level version with 120 kW / 163 PS, which will be optionally available as a pure rear-wheel drive model.
A switchable all-wheel drive will then also follow for the 163 PS and 204 PS performance classes. And this will in fact be in combination with a 6-speed manual gearbox. After all, from the very beginning, the Amarok has been developed with two different 4MOTION systems: one permanent all-wheel drive and a switchable system for tough offroad use. Both drive systems differ fundamentally from those in the Caddy and the models of the T series. In the case of the permanent all-wheel drive, a central Torsen differential distributes the engine power automatically between front and rear axles. However, the switchable all-wheel drive relies on a transfer box and a claw coupling to engage a fixed through drive between the axles at the touch of a button. An additional offroad gear reduction for the 6-speed manual gearbox here enables extreme crawling speeds. This may be helpful on complicated offroad passages and on steep slopes.
Both drive versions of the Amarok additionally have electronic differential locks (EDS). During active braking, they prevent a wheel on one side from spinning and always direct the drive power to the wheel with the best traction. In addition, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles supplies a mechanical rear differential lock for all Amarok models, which permits further improvements to the offroad properties of the pickup.
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