VW's Van Strategy

[WelshGas]

@WelshGas
What do you disagree with?
The T5 to T6.1 are based on the T5 from 2003. Just some minor updates on exterior and interior.
The first VW Sharan (from 1995 to 2010) was a Ford Galaxy with VW engines.
The second generation (2010 - 2019) was made by VW.
The T7 Multivan is based on the MQB evo platform, the same platform of the Golf.
Where they want to make it look like the next van, from VW, it is just a new Sharan in disguise.
The new Transporter is just a new Ford Transit Custom.

What do you disagree with?

A replacement for the Caravelle- Yes.
All rear seats can be easily re-positioned or simply removed. Easy access to all 5 rear seats without having to move seats to gain access, unlike the Sharon, but like the Caravelle.
If anything it is a MPV version of the Golf.

 

[Louis II]

What has everyone got against Sharan?

 

[pjm-84]

Name

 

[pjm-84]

Not surprised on the Buzz or T7.......

 

[Christine Kirk]

In the real world the original T4 was fairly impressive safety wise, I had a rear end collision on the A63 the resulting shunt from an artic lorry doing about 50mph shoved the T4 into the central barrier which in turn rolled the vehicle 360 degrees and spun it round ending up back ont its wheels facing the traffic front glass out and a very bent body but the doors still opened and we ( my 12 year old daughter and I) remained pinned in our seats as the seat belt tension device really worked!

 

[SanderR72]

No matter whether we like or dislike the new (or evolving) strategy, it’s based on finance, driven by stakeholders and governmental regulations.

Especially regarding all the emissions regulations I can only imagine that’s quite some money spent on R&D for any car manufacturer to figure out how to comply. Not to speak about safety regulations such as cameras and other “helpful” systems (which I find utterly annoying).

Collaboration between manufacturers, mergers etc. have been a constant over the years to save cost.

In the end it’s all about maximising profit, not necessarily creating great quality cars.

And we, the consumers, complain sometimes about it, but buy it anyway ;-)

 

[stoobthealien]

No matter whether we like or dislike the new (or evolving) strategy, it’s based on finance, driven by stakeholders and governmental regulations.

Especially regarding all the emissions regulations I can only imagine that’s quite some money spent on R&D for any car manufacturer to figure out how to comply. Not to speak about safety regulations such as cameras and other “helpful” systems (which I find utterly annoying).

Collaboration between manufacturers, mergers etc. have been a constant over the years to save cost.

In the end it’s all about maximising profit, not necessarily creating great quality cars.

And we, the consumers, complain sometimes about it, but buy it anyway ;-)

I was super impressed with how something the size of the new California drove almost exactly the same as my current Skoda Karoq, how smooth and quiet the latest generation diesel engine is, how clever that it could squeeze itself into parking spaces that I could never manage and how relaxing it is to have it match the speed of the car in front and stay in the lane automatically.

It's not all bad!

 

[SanderR72]

I was super impressed with how something the size of the new California drove almost exactly the same as my current Skoda Karoq, how smooth and quiet the latest generation diesel engine is, how clever that it could squeeze itself into parking spaces that I could never manage and how relaxing it is to have it match the speed of the car in front and stay in the lane automatically.

It's not all bad!

Each to their own of course. I learned how to drive and park without all those gadgets, which in my opinion just make you lazy and paying less attention.

 

[Louis II]

I was super impressed with how something the size of the new California drove almost exactly the same as my current Skoda Karoq, how smooth and quiet the latest generation diesel engine is, how clever that it could squeeze itself into parking spaces that I could never manage and how relaxing it is to have it match the speed of the car in front and stay in the lane automatically.

It's not all bad!

Because beneath the surface it’s pretty much the same vehicle

 

[Louis II]

No matter whether we like or dislike the new (or evolving) strategy, it’s based on finance, driven by stakeholders and governmental regulations.

Especially regarding all the emissions regulations I can only imagine that’s quite some money spent on R&D for any car manufacturer to figure out how to comply. Not to speak about safety regulations such as cameras and other “helpful” systems (which I find utterly annoying).

Collaboration between manufacturers, mergers etc. have been a constant over the years to save cost.

In the end it’s all about maximising profit, not necessarily creating great quality cars.

And we, the consumers, complain sometimes about it, but buy it anyway ;-)

Agree, I assume VW have been able to shut down the entire transporter production line and the “T7” pretty much drops off the same lines as a Golf, Tiguan etc. Then as IC production drops off they’ll just be able to shut lines / facilities without compromising the range

 

[stoobthealien]

Because beneath the surface it’s pretty much the same vehicle

Indeed! Love that I can get it as a camper

 

[stoobthealien]

Each to their own of course. I learned how to drive and park without all those gadgets, which in my opinion just make you lazy and paying less attention.

No matter how good you are at parking there are some spaces that it's pretty much impossible to get a vehicle the size of the new California into - I was able to get it into most spaces but the automatic parking was doing all sorts of things I'd never have been able to when I tried to push it into a very tricky situation

 

[stoobthealien]

There's also significant evidence that automatic braking makes a big difference to collision numbers and severity - computers are simply better than us when it comes to reaction time

 

[sidepod]

At least it allows the twats to carry on fiddling with their phones while driving.

 

[SanderR72]

At least it allows the twats to carry on fiddling with their phones while driving.

Exactly my thoughts as well.

 

[pluc99]

What has everyone got against Sharan?

That's what I'm wondering. I was in one just a few days ago. The owner thought it was the best car he's ever had and was lamenting that they don't make them anymore.

 

[pjm-84]

I've had automatic parking on cars. Dont trust it. On the BMW, the Sales rep said watch this....tried 3 times and gave up.....LMAO

As for city braking....I like it. Now much better than earlier systems, and it saved my bacon once on a new car park barrier addition to a country park. I think we hit the brakes at the same time, but I gave this to the car.

 

[slushf]

Hi all, it's been really interesting to see the different perspectives on this. I must admit I havent seen or tried the new Cali in the flesh as it were, but I'm not personally a fan of it's front end. As you can see I have one of the last T6 Beach which in my totally unbiased opinion is 'peak cali' . I 'stole' it from under my mate Borris' nose, but don't worry he's forgiven me...

On the strategy, I personally would have liked to see a Buzz-styled new cali, slightly bigger and with an up to date ICE. I suppose that wouldn't have made a great Transporter and that's where the volume is for VW. I do think they should have made their own totally VW replacement though, rather than a dressed transit.

Last point, I'm a long-term lurker / reader on this forum, only my second thread ever. One thing I have noticed is that since covid, and the 'B' word, everyone seems less happy. Reflection of the country I guess. Just a thought, we all share one thing - a love of our Cali's even if we disagree on stuff, we really should disagree, agreeably.

Peace and love everyone

 

[Kayleigh]

Hi all, it's been really interesting to see the different perspectives on this. I must admit I havent seen or tried the new Cali in the flesh as it were, but I'm not personally a fan of it's front end. As you can see I have one of the last T6 Beach which in my totally unbiased opinion is 'peak cali' . I 'stole' it from under my mate Borris' nose, but don't worry he's forgiven me...

On the strategy, I personally would have liked to see a Buzz-styled new cali, slightly bigger and with an up to date ICE. I suppose that wouldn't have made a great Transporter and that's where the volume is for VW. I do think they should have made their own totally VW replacement though, rather than a dressed transit.

Last point, I'm a long-term lurker / reader on this forum, only my second thread ever. One thing I have noticed is that since covid, and the 'B' word, everyone seems less happy. Reflection of the country I guess. Just a thought, we all share one thing - a love of our Cali's even if we disagree on stuff, we really should disagree, agreeably.

Peace and love everyone

Late T6 Beach here too (mid 2020)..
Only 8 more sleeps until cheap road tax

I actually think it’s the word ‘Sharan’ that causes the most friction!!

 

[Corradobrit]

Late T6 Beach here too (mid 2020)..
Only 8 more sleeps until cheap road tax

I actually think it’s the word ‘Sharan’ that causes the most friction!!

Its lines don't do it any favours either

 

[KevH]

Hi all, it's been really interesting to see the different perspectives on this. I must admit I havent seen or tried the new Cali in the flesh as it were, but I'm not personally a fan of it's front end. As you can see I have one of the last T6 Beach which in my totally unbiased opinion is 'peak cali' . I 'stole' it from under my mate Borris' nose, but don't worry he's forgiven me...

On the strategy, I personally would have liked to see a Buzz-styled new cali, slightly bigger and with an up to date ICE. I suppose that wouldn't have made a great Transporter and that's where the volume is for VW. I do think they should have made their own totally VW replacement though, rather than a dressed transit.

Last point, I'm a long-term lurker / reader on this forum, only my second thread ever. One thing I have noticed is that since covid, and the 'B' word, everyone seems less happy. Reflection of the country I guess. Just a thought, we all share one thing - a love of our Cali's even if we disagree on stuff, we really should disagree, agreeably.

Peace and love everyone

Agree with all that except one thing; the point of the Buzz is surely NOT to rely on an ICE.
But show me a VW Buzz-based Cali EV and I’ll be up for it, at the right price.
My hunch is that VW expected the Buzz to fly, to take on the Transporter mantle, but it didn’t and instead we have this mashup of a T7 that isn’t a T7 at all.
A mess.

 

[SanderR72]

Agree with all that except one thing; the point of the Buzz is surely NOT to rely on an ICE.
But show me a VW Buzz-based Cali EV and I’ll be up for it, at the right price.
My hunch is that VW expected the Buzz to fly, to take on the Transporter mantle, but it didn’t and instead we have this mashup of a T7 that isn’t a T7 at all.
A mess.

There are a few VW Buzz “Cali” conversions.

 

[SanderR72]

I actually think it’s the word ‘Sharan’ that causes the most friction!!

Which is funny in a way. I looked up the meaning of the word “Sharan”. It’s Sanskrit and basically translates to shelter, refuge or protection.

All things that qualify the purpose of a Cali

 

[Kayleigh]

Which is funny in a way. I looked up the meaning of the word “Sharan”. It’s Sanskrit and basically translates to shelter, refuge or protection.

All things that qualify the purpose of a Cali

The irony, brilliant!!

 

[Mansfieldman750]

But show me a VW Buzz-based Cali EV and I’ll be up for it, at the right price.

Same here, we already have solar panels at home so would make sense. Not holding my breath though.