Volkswagen has collaborated with aftermarket in-car entertainment specialist Kenwood to produce a new infotainment upgrade for its T5 and T6 generation Transporter vans.
The new system combines satellite-navigation and multimedia capabilities into one neatly designed, high-resolution 7.0-inch touchscreen, and includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.
Read the Parkers review of the VW Transporter T5 (2010-2015)
Read the Parkers review of the VW Transporter T6 (2015 onwards)
What’s so special about the VW’s new infotainment upgrade for the Transporter?
Available from the beginning of October 2016 as an approved dealer-fit accessory, the new device is an evolution of the preceding Kenwood DNX525DAB system, which was apparently very popular.
We say apparently, because this new version costs a slightly eye-watering £1,130.50 – although that does include both fitting and VAT. And alongside the Garmin sat-nav with full European navigation mapping (complete with three years of updates) and the smartphone interfaces, you do also get Bluetooth, DAB radio, CD, DVD, USB and SD card audio playback, plus iPod connectivity.
It’s also designed to integrate smoothly with VW’s steering-wheel controls, parking sensors and reversing camera options. Meanwhile, the navigation features more than three million points of interest, indicated by on-screen icons, which scarcely seems credible, plus traffic updates and “photo-real” junction views.
The new gadget can be fitted at any VW Van Centre or Authorised Repairer.
VW Caravelle to appear on The Apprentice
In other VW commercial vehicle news, the new series of The Apprentice (starting on BBC 1 at 9pm on 6 October 2016) will be infinitely more interesting thanks to the starring role for a new fleet of sixth-generation Volkswagen Caravelles.
These will be used to transport the hopeful candidates as they attempt to master Lord Sugar’s various nefarious tasks, and may well rank as the highlight of the show. But you never know, the latest bunch of wannabes could surprise us…
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Read the Parkers review of the VW Transporter T5 (2010-2015)
Read the Parkers review of the VW Transporter T6 (2015 onwards)
