A few weeks ago a picture appeared in my Facebook feed of a celebrity visiting New Zealand. He did not look happy.
Alvin Joiner – better known as Xzibit – is a rapper and was the host of the iconic, and much parodied, vehicle customising show ‘Pimped’.
So why did ‘X’ not look happy? It could have been the 14-hour flight, or it could have been that he and his ‘posse’ were about to jump in a rather basic-looking mainstream van.
What the tour organisers should have picked him up in is pictured here, Volkswagen’s top of the line Multivan. This is the T6 Transporters ‘pimped’ sibling, and far more appropriate for rap music’s elite.
So what is it doing in DieselTalk? Well, for a start it is based on one of Europe’s most popular commercials, and secondly for those operators in the people-moving areas of the sector, this kind of vehicle may occasionally be on their want-lists.
We will start with the Transporter, which remains an excellent medium-sized van. Ignoring the frills even a basic T6 is surprisingly car like in its drive, and will out-handle a taller Japanese-style van any day.
Our top-of-the-line Highline Multivan builds on that strong base with a full car-like lining, in this configuration seven seats, leather trim throughout, heated in the front, rear air-conditioning and a range of convenience features such as a sliding table/cupholder unit between the middle row, under seat storage cubbies, and interesting options such as a $700 cooler/warmer box.
Almost everything slides or folds, and the seats, 
fridge and table all mount on rails, allowing a huge number of configurations. The ‘showpiece’ of this setup is the ability to have the rear seats facing each other, and this is possible, but is a bit of a trap. In this configuration you loose much of your luggage space, and entry and exit is compromised.
Stick to all-forward facing, and it becomes one of the most comfortable people-movers you have yet sat in.
Safety is well catered for, with front and side airbags, and curtain airbags all the way to the rear row – rare in commercially based vans. Electronic Stability Control, ABS and a lane-keeping assist system are also standard.
The 2.0-litre turbo diesel produces 132kW, and 400Nm of torque. Our test model had just 22km on the clock when we collected it so we were reluctant to push, but with the 7-speed twin-clutch gearbox it was surprisingly smooth. Volkswagen claims consumption of 8.8//100km on a combined cycle for the all-wheel-drive model.
That four-wheel grip will help for ski field work, and even on a stormy Auckland night it felt surefooted. It is no car, but does not feel tiresome to drive.
Only complaint? Under medium load going up hill some engine vibrations can make it through to the cabin.
At $89,990 for the version tested here, the Multivan may not seem a bargain, but it could be argued it is. A Hyundai iMax is $30,000 cheaper, but lacks AWD and anywhere near as many luxury features. The Mercedes Benz V250, its most direct competitor, is $15,000 more.
Words and pictures: Richard Edwards.
