(Continued from page 1) New emissions regulations have, for many manufacturers, meant new engines, but VW has been able to merely adapt the exhaust system of the T6 in order to meet the regulations with the new van. That means power still comes from a 2.0-litre turbodiesel producing 90hp, 110hp or 150hp, while a twin-turbo model churns out a gutsy 199hp. Hence, driving performance is unchanged from the current model, but the characteristics are a little different thanks to that new electromagnetic steering.

The overly light and often floaty steering found in VW LCVs is still a feature of the T6.1; however, the precision of the new steering and its feedback is very impressive. Like the larger Crafter, the Transporter manages to disguise its size brilliantly, making it a dynamic thing to drive.

Coupled with the added safety systems like adaptive cruise control, which when combined with the optional automatic seven-speed DSG gearbox will bring you to a complete standstill, the new steering is a tremendous upgrade and one that is boosted by the smart and subtle lane-keeping assist.

Just like the Crafter, the T6.1 will now help you maintain lane discipline and even go as far as to correct your steering inputs twice should you not make any efforts to help. Far from autonomous driving, it’s just a safe and valuable system to keep you in the right lane of the correct side of the road.

Except for the redesigned front suspension in the executive Multivan version of the T6.1, nothing has changed with the bare bones of the vehicle, yet it still feels like a very new van, and that is not only due to the considerable changes to the interior but also the efforts VW has made in reducing cabin noise.

Already a particularly quiet van, the firm has enhanced the acoustic performance of the Transporter further still to try to close the gap between passenger cars and commercial vehicles. All versions of the Transporter benefit though, so the panel van is just as quiet as the Multivan or Caravelle.

One thing it’s not as quiet as is the battery-electric version, announced in Hannover last year and made by ABT on behalf of VW, that will also get the latest design and interior updates.

Of course, as impressive as the steering and new safety systems are in the Transporter, the real crowd-pleaser is the interior. There’s a new set of fabrics for the seats and all internal lighting is now LED, which is far brighter than before. Piano-black plastics featured heavily as a surround to many of the vents and dials in our test vehicles, which adds a degree of sophistication, and the layout of the door panels has changed, improving storage.

Storage as a whole doesn’t appear to have increase noticeably, but the angled passenger-side open glovebox is useful, as is the narrow shelf below it, which has a rubber surface ideal for keys or phones. Inductive charging also features as an option in the large storage tray while the two cupholders at the A-pillars have been redesigned too.

The central touchscreen now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto over Bluetooth and has navigation, phone and infotainment built in. It’s ideally positioned and angled in such a way that you can adequately see it even in bright sunlight.