VW T6 Multivan Black Edition Overview
Multivan is the Kombi for the new millennium..
It is as flexible as the 1960’s icon, but much more useable. The old Kombi isn’t terribly reliable because it is now 50 years old. The new one is a different story.
A limited number of 230 Black Edition models adds some tasty extras such as the cool timber-look rear floor, and comfy captain’s chairs for the 2nd row.
You can get a bunch of cool accessories, and there are some sensible safety features too.
VW T6 Multivan Black Edition Exterior
Multivan is known as many different names that all mean the same thing.
T6, or Transporter, is VW’s multi-purpose van. It can be fitted out as a bus, delivery van, or camper. Some overseas models even have a rear section that slides out onto legs making the interior cavernous. Best of all, you can still use the rear hatch.
The front end has an impressive array of LED headlights with DTRLs and fog lights. The latter act as static turn lights, and come on as the front wheels turn like swivelling headlights.
It’s hard to get a bus too look stylish, but Multivan has that same cool look that 60’s surfers would love. It was fabulous then, and it is fabulous now. Black decals say “Black Edition” loud and proud. It matches the black 18” Springfield alloy wheels.
If the outfit maketh the man, then Multivan is very manly. There are 6 colours (Cherry Red, Candy White and the $1720 metallics Acapulco Blue, Tumeric Yellow, Reflex Silver and Indium Grey) but white with black looks the classiest. Black and white is tasteful in any setting.
Access via 2 sliding electric doors is controlled from the handles or key fob.
That’s handy for those who’ve had a big night out. The doors have opening sections in place of wind down windows. The rear tailgate is huge, and also power operated.
Multivan is set fairly high, so there are steps inside the front doors to help the front occupants look a little less dorky as they navigate entry and exit.
Black highlights continue on the side mirrors, and along the rear tailgate. I love the way it manages to lift a commercial vehicle, and gives it a cool twist.
Although the exterior highlights are limited to alloys, paint, and decals, somehow Black Edition manages the look of a suave tuxedo.
VW T6 Multivan Black Edition Interior
The front seats have an SUV feel about them. You climb in as you would in a large SUV, and sit way above most of the traffic. It’s a great place to take in the view.
They are power operated with 3 memory positions. It includes a lumbar function
Driver dials are conventional, but the dash is instantly recognisable as a VW passenger car. There a similar multi-function display you’d expect to find in an older generation Golf or Tiguan
The infotainment system is the older generation VW system. It comes with Apple Carplay/Android Auto. The is no DAB, which is fairly appalling for a German maker that prides itself on being cutting-edge.
All other controls are standard VW, such as steering wheel and centre console.
The centre console is high set, and holds the gear shifter. It has more than a hint of 70’s Toyota Tarago about it. There could be more storage here too. I used the pull-out cup holder as a place for my phone and keys. An owner would probably be more inventive.
The front passengers get a carpeted floor, but the rear has a timber-look maple finish.
2nd row seats are Captain’s Seats and can swivel to face the rear bench. Leg room might be a bit tight though. We tried it and our legs kept meeting in a most inappropriate way. Perhaps that was the intention. There’s an optional table that, with the right accessories, become an instant trendy bistro.
Seating can be moved about as needed. If you were inclined, you could sleep in it as is.
The cabin is comfortable, but I think I’d like a rug on the floor for a longer trip. The hard floor might be practical, and it certainly looks classy, but it lacks warmth.
You can get nifty accessories like a fridge, but like most 7 seaters, you’ll probably being doing shorter trips and tours. The boot is smallish considering the size of the van, so the fancy ever-changing seating plan will come in mighty handy. You can opt for a roof box, but how badly will that affect your fuel figures?
The rear bench has under-seat bins, and there is enough room behind them for several large case, of wine. All seats have a smart piping detail that gives the cabin an extra lift.
Like most people movers, Multivan has air vents in the back. Climate control does a great job of keeping things just so.
One last word on the captain’s chairs in the 2nd row: they’re fun, even if just for the novelty value of dual armrests and the ability to turn 180°.
There is quite a lot of hard plastic, but the overall impression is one of space, and class. Most importantly, access to all seats is fairly easy because the sliding doors are so big. Multivan is a proper 7 seater.
VW T6 Multivan Black Edition Features/Technology
Seats that change position, clever rails in the floor to screw things to, and power operated everything, there are the essentials.
Driving a T6 would be a nightmare without the high quality reversing camera. The display shows the picture overlaid with data from the front and rear sensors. Front seats can have tablet holders mounted on the back side to keep rear passengers busy.
Swinging the captain’s seats around allows a table to be used for brunch or busy meetings.
Top Multivans get more standard gear, but the highline costs an eye-watering $96,000. That makes the 63grand Black Edition look like a bargain.
There are vents for each row of seats so all is not lost, but the cool stuff like AWD, adaptive chassis control, sunroof etc, can only be had in other trim levels.
The bistro table costs an extra $450, and child booster seats are $1020.
VW T6 Multivan Black Edition Engine and Drivetrain
Transport, AKA T6 Multivan, drives like a bus, albeit a fun one.
Despite that, the 2.0L diesel still has enough poke to get the van along at a decent pace while still getting a decent fuel figure of 7.7L/100k.
103kw might sound modest, but 340Nm of torque has the grunt to move a fully loaded Black Edition with little effort. The diesel gets a bit raucous when you sink the boot in, but Multivan isn’t the kind of vehicle you send around a corner at warp 9.975.
VW’s 7 speed DCT (dual clutch transmission) takes all the effort out of driving. You can sit back and relax.
VW T6 Multivan Black Edition Driving Experience
The driving position is slightly odd at first. You sit very high, with your feet above the pedals. You get used to it quickly, and it soon becomes fun. That’s not usually a word you associate with people movers, period.
Ride is good most of the time. It is comfortable around town and would no doubt be even better with a full load.
Acceleration is more than acceptable, and cornering best described as leisurely. After a short period of adjustment, T6 starts to feel like a limo.
Our week was spent doing city chores. There was an airport run, and some weekly shopping. Multivan is surpassingly easy to park. It has a reversing camera with excellent resolution and includes sensors.
The experience is relaxing as long as yyou allow a little extra time to overtake, and a little extra room to park. Don’t forget, height might make shopping centres more of an adventure than you’d bargained for.
VW T6 Multivan Black Edition Safety
There is no safety rating from ANCAP.
There is a full complement of airbags, and stability control.
Some of the safety and convenience features are only available with certain engines so it might be worth a look at the features you want.
For example 4Motion AWD, adaptive Cruise Control, multi collision braking and AEB are only available on the 450Nm engine. There should be standard across the board. I was slightly disappointed that active lane control wasn’t even an option.
Overall, the safety features list could be longer, especially for the price. ($15,000 more than Hyundai’s equivalent).
VW T6 Multivan Black Edition Fit for Purpose
Multivan is one of the very few true 7 seaters. Most SUVs offering 7 seats will need the 3rd row occupants to be past members of Cir du Soleil. T6 has big wide doors and enough legroom in the 3rd row to make it possible for trips into the country.
Even with all 7 seats occupied, there is enough room for a couple of large bags in the back.
For this reason alone. Multivan Black Edition is 100% perfect for carrying around larger than usual groups of people.
Airport transfers buyers are still going to need a trailer.
VW T6 Multivan Black Edition Summary
People movers usually only succeed in moving most of us to a comatose stupor, but the Black Edition is both interesting and practical. Not only that, but it is fun.
It will appeal to someone who wants a bit of style. It competes against other 7 seaters with a more conventional shape such as many wagons and SUVs.
My only reservation is the lack of standard safety and driver aids. Also, the infotainments system isn’t quite up to snuff even with Apple Carplay/Android auto. It has decent sound but there is no getting away from the fact that Multivan is a bus.
Also Look At:-
The Good:
- Moveable seats
- Easy to drive and park
- Space
The Not so Good
- No AEB on this model
- Lacking some safety features
- Price
VW T6 Multivan Black Edition Details
- Model Price from $64,990 drive away (until the end of August 2019)
- Engine 2.0 L 4Cyl Turbo diesel Petrol
- Drivetrain 7 Sp DCT, FWD
- Power 103kW
- Torque 340Nm
- Safety not rated
- CO2 TBA
- Economy ADR 7.7L/100k
- Service Assured Service Costs
- Warranty 5 Yrs. / Unlimited km, 1 yr Roadside Assist
VW T6 Multivan Black Edition
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Rating
Summary
Multivan is the Kombi for the new millennium..
It is as flexible as the 1960’s icon, but much more useable. The old Kombi isn’t terribly reliable because it is now 50 years old. The new one is a different story.
A limited number of 230 Black Edition models adds some tasty extras such as the cool timber-look rear floor, and comfy captain’s chairs for the 2nd row.
You can get a bunch of cool accessories, and there are some sensible safety features too.
