The 2023 Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 panel van on the left is the final edition of ICE-powered, one-tonne commercial vehicles developed and built by Volkswagen. Its successor will be unveiled next summer, yet it will be fully based on the latest Ford Transit Custom model.
The T6.1 is merely an evolution of the 2003 T5 generation. The complete timeline: 2003 T5, 2009 T5.1 (first update), 2015 T6 (second update), 2019 T6.1 (third and last update).
The Transporter trio, normally working as oversize load pilot vehicles, got a free ride on a Nooteboom four-axle low loader. The middlevan and the one on the upper deck are T6 vans, respectively from 2018 and 2016. All three are powered by a 2.0 TDI engine, from left to right: 150 DIN-hp, ditto, 140 DIN-hp.
Typical Volkswagen clean dash policy in the T6.1. Frivolities? Nein, danke.
Things are getting a bit confusing now. This is called a Volkswagen Multivan T7, a minivan rolling on their MQB Evo platform.
And here we have the starting point for the next Transporter, the 2024 Ford Transit Custom. There’s a Custom for all customers: turbodiesel (2.0 liter), plug-in hybrid (2.5 liter gasoline) or full electric.
What an utterly easy transport job it was for the 1994 Scania T143E 500 V8 8×4 tractor. Turbodiesel only (14 liter).
Didn’t know that Volkswagen had given up on the bus. Such are the ways of the world. Volkswagen/Traton doesn’t give up on much, they took over Scania after a long pursuit, and similarly have recently taken over Navistar/International.
The current VW-Ford light commercial vehicle friendship:
Next Ford Transit Connect = VW Caddy
Next VW Transporter = Ford Transit Custom
VW Amarok = Ford Ranger
The full-size Ford Transit and VW Crafter/MAN TGE have nothing in common, yet.
The full-electric ID. Buzz and the ID. Buzz Cargo are both VW only.
Regarding Ford: they have the small Transit Courier van as a ‘stand-alone’ model.
It’s interesting to me that European wide loads are accompanied by specially-marked pilot vehicles. Here in the US, pilot vehicles are almost always informal affairs – often something like old minivans with hastily thrown-together orange lights and flags, and hand-lettered signs that say “Pilot Car”.
The idea behind those specially/standard-marked pilot vehicles is that each and every public road user (from pedestrians on the sidewalk to Ferrari drivers on a twisty road) can recognize them as such from a country mile. A sign that something ‘special’ (really big/wide/long/heavy) is rolling down the road. And that instructions from the (trained) pilot vehicle drivers have to be followed.
A formal affair, in other words.
That makes sense. Here in the US, wide/oversize loads are regulated differently by each state, but I’m not aware of any state that requires easily-identifiable pilot vehicles. Pilot vehicle requirements usually include signage, lights and communication devices, but it’s all rather basic. Like XR7 mentions below, I believe that most trucking companies subcontract their pilot vehicle work, and there’s a lot of part-time or independent operators of pilot vehicles who use their own personal cars for the task. Very different way of doing things.
And also like XR7 notes, I like that roof-integrated sign – never seen anything like that before.
There are plenty of independent pilot vehicle operators here too. But the requirements regarding training and the vehicle’s looks/equipment apply to them just as well.
I don’t know if its an optical illusion but that Scania tractor seems to have a very long nose. Its a set back front axle that’s really set back.
I like how the message board on the van is integrated into the roof. A little aero help versus slap a sign board on the roof, stand it up and see how many braces you need to hold it in place while the wind shakes the board apart as you travel down the road.
Here in the US its cut costs anyway you can. Subcontract the job out. No vehicle to buy, maintain, insure, keep records on, dispose of, etc. Same with the driver, if the driver doesn’t work out you just stop giving him/her work. The other way you save is skip getting a permit and no pilot vehicles. The State Patrol would often ask our operators to keep an eye out for this stuff.
Sideview Scania T143H below (H for heavy-duty chassis, E for extra heavy-duty).
Source: https://iepieleaks.nl/scania-t143-restored/
Euro-conventionals always had a firmly set-back front axle.
Wow those armrests at windowsill level. Can’t think of another vehicle so equipped, despite that area often being used for that purpose.
It’s the interior of a T6.1 Multivan, far from a stripper Transporter.
Gumboot Scania, dont see many of those, Fords new Ranger is made of VW bits now VW vans are made from Ford bits and likely better than VWs efforts