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ROOMY WITH A GREAT VIEW
00:00 09 Mar 1995
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I must confess - my 14-year old son didn't want to give M26MJB
back: 'Can't you swap it for your company car, Dad?' was his
reaction to a weekend spent using a VW Transporter double cab
pickup.
I like my 405 but I can see his point. The VW was comfortable, roomy enough for six (but better for just five), kept up with the traffic and proved great for holding bikes, fishing rods, bits of furniture, old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all!
The power (57kW) provided by the 2.4 litre five-cylinder naturally aspirated diesel isn't mega-high but it's more than adequate to roll the machine along at the legal limit. However, it must be said, it's a bit hard on the ear drums at that sort of velocity. Fifty-five to 60mph is more peaceful and you don't need to turn the radio up to drown out the din. But if you want to then the standard Sony fitted to the test vehicle was well up to the job!
Torque (164Nm) comes in strongly at just half maximum revs so in practice you get up through the box quickly because there's no point in hanging on for acceleration. Fifth gear takes pretty good care of it all. The thing will lug down to next to nothing and still pull away cleanly.
The downside, as I've mentioned, is a slightly thrashy tendency at high-ish speeds. During our weekend we averaged around 25 miles to the gallon of DERV but we confess to a bit of fast cruising here and there. Lighter-footed drivers would probably get nearer 30.
Ride is level and roll well-controlled but there was no chance to try it with a full load. Brakes were progressive, powerful and proved not to be 'grabby' in damp weather. A change after some of the light commercials I've driven lately. Steering was smooth and precise but the wheel, in typical Teutonic fashion, is a tad large for some tastes.
Payload is just 1,000kg (GVW is 2,800kg) which means if you opt for five large passengers then you'll struggle to get 500kilos of cargo in the dropside body. But opt for the nifty Swedish GRP hardtop which we enjoyed and the double cab becomes an excellent leisure vehicle which can easily double as a workhorse.
Our test vehicle was fitted with electric front windows which are convenient but a bit pricey at almost œ300 for the pair. Apart from that, the exterior mirrors are panoramic and reversing is child's play so there's no parking penalty to pay in the supermarket car park.
The cab has a heated rear window but the hardtop hasn't so it was rather negated. In wet weather a rear wash/wipe on the hardtop would be nice but a bit tricky to rig - you'd need snap connectors if you wanted to dismount the top from time to time.
The overriding impression was one of quality, it didn't rattle, it didn't leak and starting even in frosty weather was first time. The heater was powerful and responsive and what delight - you can get cool fresh air to the face simultaneously.
We could easily get used to having one - even enjoying it! And almost everybody driving a van stops to ask you what it is!
Details: enter 701 on card
I like my 405 but I can see his point. The VW was comfortable, roomy enough for six (but better for just five), kept up with the traffic and proved great for holding bikes, fishing rods, bits of furniture, old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all!
The power (57kW) provided by the 2.4 litre five-cylinder naturally aspirated diesel isn't mega-high but it's more than adequate to roll the machine along at the legal limit. However, it must be said, it's a bit hard on the ear drums at that sort of velocity. Fifty-five to 60mph is more peaceful and you don't need to turn the radio up to drown out the din. But if you want to then the standard Sony fitted to the test vehicle was well up to the job!
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Torque (164Nm) comes in strongly at just half maximum revs so in practice you get up through the box quickly because there's no point in hanging on for acceleration. Fifth gear takes pretty good care of it all. The thing will lug down to next to nothing and still pull away cleanly.
The downside, as I've mentioned, is a slightly thrashy tendency at high-ish speeds. During our weekend we averaged around 25 miles to the gallon of DERV but we confess to a bit of fast cruising here and there. Lighter-footed drivers would probably get nearer 30.
Ride is level and roll well-controlled but there was no chance to try it with a full load. Brakes were progressive, powerful and proved not to be 'grabby' in damp weather. A change after some of the light commercials I've driven lately. Steering was smooth and precise but the wheel, in typical Teutonic fashion, is a tad large for some tastes.
Payload is just 1,000kg (GVW is 2,800kg) which means if you opt for five large passengers then you'll struggle to get 500kilos of cargo in the dropside body. But opt for the nifty Swedish GRP hardtop which we enjoyed and the double cab becomes an excellent leisure vehicle which can easily double as a workhorse.
Our test vehicle was fitted with electric front windows which are convenient but a bit pricey at almost œ300 for the pair. Apart from that, the exterior mirrors are panoramic and reversing is child's play so there's no parking penalty to pay in the supermarket car park.
The cab has a heated rear window but the hardtop hasn't so it was rather negated. In wet weather a rear wash/wipe on the hardtop would be nice but a bit tricky to rig - you'd need snap connectors if you wanted to dismount the top from time to time.
The overriding impression was one of quality, it didn't rattle, it didn't leak and starting even in frosty weather was first time. The heater was powerful and responsive and what delight - you can get cool fresh air to the face simultaneously.
We could easily get used to having one - even enjoying it! And almost everybody driving a van stops to ask you what it is!
Details: enter 701 on card
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