Large and comfortable Volkswagen Caravelle
Content
- Brief historical digression
- Specifications VW Caravelle
- General characteristics
- Table: specifications of various modifications of the Volkswagen Caravelle
- Video: getting to know the VW Caravelle T6
- Dimensions VW Caravelle
- engine Specifications
- Трансмиссия
- Brake system
- Pendants
- Safety and comfort
- Video: interior and exterior features of the new Volkswagen Caravelle T6
- Gasoline or diesel
- Volkswagen Caravelle prices
Volkswagen Caravella has been conscientiously fulfilling its duties as a carrier of small passenger groups since 1990, when the first generation model of the car was introduced. During this time, the Caravelle has undergone many restyled transformations and has changed six generations, successfully competing with its Volkswagen counterparts - Transporter, Multivan, California, as well as representatives of other auto giants - Ford Transit, Mercedes Viano, Renault Avantime, Nissan Elgrand, Toyota Sienna and others. . Car enthusiasts appreciate Caravelle for comfort, practicality and reliability, noting that the only disadvantage of the car can be considered its cost: today you can buy a new Caravelle at a price commensurate with the cost of a one-room apartment in Moscow. And yet, the popularity of a comfortable and cute minibus in Russia is not decreasing, which indicates a high degree of trust in Volkswagen products in our country.
Brief historical digression
Initially, the VW Caravelle was a rather old-fashioned rear-wheel drive minivan with the engine located in the rear of the car.
A rather decisive restyling happened in 1997: as a result, the engine was under the hood, which became noticeably larger, the configuration of the front bumper completely changed, the headlights turned out to be somewhat beveled, with white turn signals. The power unit was able to be equipped with one of the proposed five or four-cylinder engines running on gasoline or diesel fuel, for example, a V-shaped sports engine with a capacity of 140 horsepower. The new front suspension allowed passengers and the driver to feel more comfortable in the car, disc brakes were installed on all wheels, an ABS system and airbags appeared. The interior trim and equipment with auxiliary systems has moved to a new level, the basic version already provided for:
- electric front windows;
- electric heating of seats;
- heating and rear window cleaner;
- autonomous heater with timer;
- radio.
The seats in the cabin easily transformed into a comfortable table or just a flat surface. The microclimate inside the cabin can now be set independently using the ventilation system control unit. Other innovations include an increased degree of sound insulation and the ability to tow a trailer weighing up to two tons.
The third generation caravel, which appeared in 2002, bears some resemblance to the Multivan, with almost the same headlights and front bumper. In the new version of the car, an automatic transmission and a 4Motion all-wheel drive system have become available. Two-season climate control "Climatronic" was offered as an option. For the transportation of 9 passengers, a version with an extended base was provided, many convenient shelves allow the driver and passengers to place personal belongings. The power unit was equipped with one of two diesel engines (2,0 l and 3,2 l, 115 and 235 hp) and four gasoline engines (1,9 l, 86 and 105 hp, and 2,5 .130 l with a capacity of 174 and XNUMX hp). Other features of this generation Caravelle include:
- front and rear independent suspension;
- front and rear disc brakes with brake force control;
- a safety system that provides protection for the driver from injury by the steering wheel in the event of an accident;
- ABS;
- driver and front passenger seats equipped with airbags;
- glass glued into the openings of the body, contributing to an increase in the strength of the structure;
- a special solution for fastening seat belts, allowing a passenger of any size to feel comfortable.
The Caravelle Business version turned out to be even more respectable, which, at the request of the customer, could be equipped with leather upholstery, a mobile phone, fax, TV, and also provided for the use of a 2,5-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 150 “horses” or a gasoline engine with a capacity of 204 liters. With.
In 2009, the premiere of the next generation VW Caravelle took place. Creating a new car, the authors adhered to the trend to further improve the safety, efficiency, comfort, and reliability of the car. The intensive intelligent support provided by numerous assistance systems makes driving much easier, giving driver confidence and comfort to passengers. Both the appearance and the technical equipment of the machine have changed. The most significant innovation is considered to be the transition to more economical engines, which, in combination with the DGS robotic gearbox, provide optimal operation of the power unit.
Immediately after the purchase, I noticed the wrong location of the steering wheel, relative to the rectilinear movement, the suspension is stiff and noisy. After a little time and a run of about 3000, I went to the dealer with complaints about the steering wheel and the ever-increasing knocks of the suspension. The steering wheel was corrected, exactly the opposite (now they did it in the opposite direction), but they said about the suspension that this is normal like a commercial vehicle, etc. I didn’t quarrel and swear, I didn’t complain either. It's a shame that for this very considerable money I bought a "rumbler". After our own diagnostics, it turned out that the silent blocks of the front suspension were made with slots for softness, so they create knocks when braking and when driving through bumps in the road, I replaced them with reinforced ones that are used for armored vehicles - the knocks are much reduced. Upon further diagnosis, it turned out that the front suspension struts were also knocking - I also replaced the struts, now everything is ok. Now the mileage is 30000, everything is in order, it does not knock, it does not rattle. The car is good, but there is no value for money and dealer service in Russia.
The fifth generation (in fact, like the sixth) was not as revolutionary as the fourth, and mainly touched on some external transformations. The Volkswagen T5 family, in addition to Caravelle, includes Kombi, Shuttle and Multivan, where Kombi provides the most simplified equipment, Multivan - the richest technical equipment.
Specifications VW Caravelle
Volkswagen Caravelle, available today to Russian motorists, is a modern high-tech car, confidently leading in the segment of carriers of small groups of passengers.
General characteristics
The first impression of a trip in a Volkswagen Caravelle is a large interior space that allows you not to limit yourself and feel quite comfortable for a passenger of any height and weight. You can add another 400mm to the base by choosing an extended version that provides for the installation of additional seats. Caravelle compares favorably with competitors in that it is not quite a minibus, but not a crossover either: the control is the same as that of a passenger car, despite the fact that the capacity is much higher than that of most SUVs - the third row is installed without loss of comfort. The most appropriate use of such a car is for a large family or company. For commercial passenger and freight transport, the VW Transporter is more suitable. More technically equipped Multivan and costs accordingly - about a quarter more expensive than Caravelle.
The body type of the Volkswagen Caravelle is a van, the number of doors is 5, the number of seats is from 6 to 9. The car is produced only in the passenger version in three versions:
- trendline;
- comfortline;
- highline.
Table: specifications of various modifications of the Volkswagen Caravelle
| Characterization | T6 2.0 biTDI DSG 180hp | T6 2.0 TSI MT L2 150hp | T6 2.0 TDI MT L2 102hp | T6 2.0 TSI DSG 204hp |
| Engine power, l with. | 180 | 150 | 102 | 204 |
| Engine volume, l | 2,0 | 2,0 | 2,0 | 2,0 |
| Torque, Nm / rev. in min | 400/2000 | 280/3750 | 250/2500 | 350/4000 |
| Number of cylinders | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Cylinder arrangement | in-line | in-line | in-line | in-line |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| fuel type | diesel | gasoline | diesel | gasoline |
| Fuel consumption (city / highway / mixed mode) | 10,2/6,9/8,1 | 13,0/8,0/9,8 | 9,5/6,1/7,3 | 13,5/8,1/10,1 |
| Supply system | direct injection | direct injection | direct injection | direct injection |
| Maximum speed km / h | 191 | 180 | 157 | 200 |
| Acceleration to a speed of 100 km / h, seconds | 11,3 | 12,5 | 17,9 | 9,5 |
| PPC | robotic 7-speed dual clutch automatic | 6MKPP | 5MKPP | robotic 7-speed dual clutch automatic |
| Drive unit | front | front | front | front |
| Front suspension | independent - McPherson | independent - McPherson | independent - McPherson | independent - McPherson |
| Rear suspension | independent - multi-link | independent - multi-link | independent - multi-link | independent - multi-link |
| Front brakes | disc ventilated | disc ventilated | disc ventilated | disc ventilated |
| Rear brakes | disk | disk | disk | disk |
| Number of doors | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Number of seats | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Length m | 5,006 | 5,406 | 5,406 | 5,006 |
| Width, m | 1,904 | 1,904 | 1,904 | 1,904 |
| Height, m | 1,97 | 1,97 | 1,97 | 1,97 |
| Wheelbase, m | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Curb weight, t | 2,076 | 2,044 | 1,982 | 2,044 |
| Full weight, t | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Tank volume, l | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Clearance, cm | 19,3 | 19,3 | 19,3 | 19,3 |
Video: getting to know the VW Caravelle T6
Dimensions VW Caravelle
The standard version of the Caravelle provides for a vehicle length of 5006 mm, the extended version is 5406 mm. The width and height are 1904 and 1970 mm respectively, the wheelbase is 3000 mm. Ground clearance can vary from 178 to 202 mm. The fuel tank holds 80 liters, the trunk volume is up to 5,8 m3, the tire size is 215/60/17C 104/102H. The curb weight can be from 1982 to 2076 kg, the gross weight is 3 tons.
Very ergonomic driver's and navigator's seats, for long distances on the track you can go for a long time and not get tired. Of the latest records - a 24-hour stretch from the Crimea to Moscow, one stretch of 1500 km, taking into account the ferry and repeated walking of children, so as not to buzz in the cabin. We went to the Crimea, took with us: 3 tents, 4 sleeping bags, 4 rugs, several blankets, a dry closet, 40 liters of water, a stroller, a box with dishes (a 6-liter pot, a frying pan, bowls, glasses) and food, 2 laptops, 2 trunks with cameras, dofiga bags with clothes for everyone, because they planned to be savage and did not want to wash. We drove back - we took another passenger with a couple of his bags, and besides, we added 20 liters of wine, 25 kg of rice, a box of peaches, a shovel, a mop, another small tent - everything fit, and without any roof racks. In general, a 3-wheel stroller with large inflatable wheels, in which I once transported 2 children aged 6 and 3, fits into the trunk in an unfolded form.
engine Specifications
Diesel engines used in the Caravelle T6 have a volume of 2,0 liters and a power of 102, 140 and 180 horsepower. Gasoline engines can have a power of 150 or 204 hp. With. with a volume of 2,0 liters. The fuel supply system in all versions of power units is direct injection. Both gasoline and diesel engines have 4 cylinders arranged in a row. Each cylinder has 4 valves.
Трансмиссия
The sixth generation Caravelle gearbox can be manual or robotic DSG. Mechanics still remains a closer and more acceptable option for most domestic motorists due to its simplicity and durability. The robot is a kind of compromise between manual and automatic transmission and raises many questions among Caravelle owners, despite the fact that it saves fuel. The problem is that the DSG box that the Caravelle uses is a so-called dry clutch, as opposed to the six-speed, which uses an oil bath. When shifting gears with such a box, the clutch discs can dock too sharply, as a result of which the car twitches, loses traction, and extraneous noises occur. As a result, the DSG wears out quickly and can become unusable after only 50 thousand kilometers. On the other hand, the DSG box is considered the most technologically advanced and “advanced” to date, providing high-speed and economical vehicle movement. Thus, a potential buyer independently determines his priorities: a conservative and proven mechanics over the years or a box of the future, but the DSG needs to be finalized.
Drive Volkswagen Caravelle can be front or full. The presence of the 4Motion badge indicates that the car is all-wheel drive. The 4Motion system has been used on Volkswagen vehicles since 1998 and is based on an even distribution of torque to each wheel, depending on road conditions. The torque from the front axle is transmitted in this case due to the Haldex multi-plate friction clutch. Information from the sensors is sent to the control unit of the 4Motion system, which processes the received signals and sends the appropriate commands to the actuators.
Brake system
Front brakes Volkswagen Caravelle ventilated disc, rear - disc. The use of ventilated disc brakes is due to the possibility of faster cooling of the brake system. If an ordinary disk is a solid round blank, then a ventilated one is two flat disks connected by partitions and membranes. Due to the presence of many channels, even with intensive use of the brakes, they do not overheat.
I've owned the car for a year. Imported from France. The car is in a very good configuration: two electric sliding doors, automatic climate control for the driver and passengers, an automatic autonomous heater, two parking sensors, heated electric mirrors, central locking. A good combination of a powerful engine and a modern DSG transmission allows you to enjoy driving in any driving mode: from energetic to very calm. Sufficiently elastic and energy-intensive suspension contributes to excellent handling, but at the same time reduces comfort for passengers.
Pendants
Front suspension Volkswagen Caravelle - independent, MacPherson system, rear - independent multi-link. McPherson is a type of suspension that is extremely popular today, usually used in the front of the car. Among its advantages: compactness, durability, ease of diagnosis. Disadvantages - the complexity of replacing the main suspension part - the suspension strut, the penetration of road noise into the cabin, poor front roll compensation during heavy braking.
The multi-link version of the suspension can be based on the use of three or five levers that are attached to the subframe and connected to the hub. The main advantages of such a suspension are considered to be the complete independence of the wheels of one axle, the ability to use aluminum in the design to reduce the total weight, good grip of the wheel with the road surface, optimal vehicle handling in difficult road conditions, low noise level in the cabin.
Safety and comfort
The basic version of the VW Caravelle provides:
- ESP - exchange rate stability system;
- Air Bag driver and passenger in the front seat;
- fastening child seat Isofix;
- ABS - anti-lock brakes;
- tire pressure monitoring;
- lift start support;
- immobilizer;
- central locking.
And also:
- third row of seats;
- armrest in the front seat;
- fabric upholstery;
- connector for connecting an external audio device;
- acoustic system;
- bluetooth;
- adjustment and power steering;
- heated front seats;
- front power windows;
- heating of windshield washers, windshield and side mirrors;
- air conditioning;
- rain and light sensors.
Video: interior and exterior features of the new Volkswagen Caravelle T6
https://youtube.com/watch?v=4KuZJ9emgco
For an additional fee, you can order systems:
- Rear View, including rear view camera and parking sensor;
- Rear Assist - on-board computer and driver protection from falling asleep;
- Side Assist - cruise control and blind spot monitoring.
In addition, you can additionally install:
- leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel;
- fog lights;
- alarm and volume sensor, which serves to protect against penetration into the cabin;
- CD player;
- roof railings;
- sun blinds, etc.
Gasoline or diesel
If, when buying a Volkswagen Caravelle, there is a problem of choosing between diesel and gasoline engines, it should be borne in mind that:
- Diesel vehicles tend to be more expensive than equivalent petrol versions.
- diesel engines are more traction, gasoline - more "frisky";
- a diesel engine emits fewer harmful components into the atmosphere, i.e., it is more environmentally friendly;
- in general, diesel engines are more economical;
- the gasoline engine is less noisy.
The fundamental difference between the two types of engines lies in the way the fuel-air mixture is ignited, which in gasoline engines ignites with the help of a spark created by a spark plug, and in diesel engines with the help of glow plugs that ignite the mixture heated to a high temperature under high pressure.
Volkswagen Caravelle prices
The cost of VW Caravelle depends on the configuration and level of technical equipment.
Table: the cost of different VW Caravelle models, depending on the configuration, rubles
| Modification | Trendline | Comfortline | Highline |
| 2.0biTDI DSG 180hp | 2 683 300 | 2 697 300 | 3 386 000 |
| 2.0biTDI DSG 4Motion 180hp | 2 842 300 | 2 919 700 | 3 609 800 |
| 2.0biTDI DSG 4Motion L2 180hp | 2 901 400 | 2 989 800 | 3 680 000 |
| 2.0biTDI DSG L2 180hp | 2 710 400 | 2 767 200 | 3 456 400 |
| 2.0TDI DSG 140hp | 2 355 700 | 2 415 200 | 3 084 600 |
| 2.0TDI DSG L2 140hp | 2 414 400 | 2 471 300 | 3 155 200 |
| 2.0TDI MT 102hp | 2 102 700 | 2 169 600 | — |
| 2.0TDI MT 140hp | 2 209 600 | 2 260 800 | 2 891 200 |
| 2.0TDI MT 4Motion 140hp | 2 353 200 | 2 439 300 | 3 114 900 |
| 2.0TDI MT 4Motion L2 140hp | 2 411 900 | 2 495 400 | 3 185 300 |
| 2.0TDI MT L2 102hp | 2 120 600 | 2 225 500 | — |
| 2.0TDI MT L2 140hp | 2 253 100 | 2 316 900 | 2 961 600 |
| 2.0TSI DSG 204hp | 2 767 200 | 2 858 800 | 3 544 700 |
| 2.0TSI DSG 4Motion 204hp | 2 957 800 | 3 081 200 | 3 768 500 |
| 2.0TSI DSG 4Motion L2 204hp | 2 981 000 | 3 151 200 | 3 838 800 |
| 2.0TSI DSG L2 204hp | 2 824 900 | 2 928 800 | 3 620 500 |
| 2.0TSI MT 150hp | 2 173 100 | 2 264 200 | 2 907 900 |
| 2.0TSI MT L2 150hp | 2 215 500 | 2 320 300 | 2 978 100 |
If the owner of the Volkswagen Caravelle is also the head of a large family, then he has chosen the best car for his case. A ride in a comfortable and roomy Caravelle leaves the impression that, despite its size, the car is designed more for family than for commercial use. Volkswagen designers traditionally manage to make a seemingly ordinary rectangular box stylish through the use of branded laconic interior and exterior elements. Numerous intelligent assistance systems ensure safe driving and a comfortable stay in it during long trips.
