So I sat in a new Ford Custom (T7 Transporter) and here's my thoughts.

[Sasquatch]

I think more likely, what with their multiple current financial woes, they didn't want to/couldn't afford to develop a new model themselves from the ground up.

My Golf GTi caught fire, so you'll forgive me if I don't wax too lyrical about them.

 

[GruB]

20 years ago I went to a Ferrari on fire near Chilton Foliat. From a quick search I found Honest John's site and some statistics:

How many petrol cars catch fire each year?​

Petrol or diesel cars are about 20 times more likely to catch fire than EVs, with ICE vehicles experiencing 1,530 fires per 100,000 sold compared to 25 EV fires per 100,000 sold. In the UK, over 100,000 cars catch fire every year.

 

[DaveD]

20 years ago I went to a Ferrari on fire near Chilton Foliat. From a quick search I found Honest John's site and some statistics:

How many petrol cars catch fire each year?​

Petrol or diesel cars are about 20 times more likely to catch fire than EVs, with ICE vehicles experiencing 1,530 fires per 100,000 sold compared to 25 EV fires per 100,000 sold. In the UK, over 100,000 cars catch fire every year.

I saw hundreds of car fires in my Police career. All were petrol or diesel.
Most of them involved a box of matches or a lighter and an attempt to destroy forensic evidence.
We'll never know how many mysteriously caught fire after the cambelt failed or the engine failed in some other way, I'm guessing quite a few.
Statistics are sometimes misleading.

 

[Sasquatch]

My petrol Golf GTi went up spontaneously without the need for petrol or matches.

One second it was fine, the next the cabin was full of smoke in an instant. I somehow managed to stop without crashing and rolled out the driver door like Lewis Collins on his way to double tap a terrorist.

 

[T6Plumber]

I’m sure you thought it looked as cool as that mate, but I reckon this is a much more likely re-enactment

I somehow managed to stop without crashing and rolled out the driver door like Lewis Gemma Collins on her way to double tap a terrorist KFC.

 

[Bav]

like Lewis Collins on his way to double tap a terrorist.

You wish!

 

[Sasquatch]

You wish!

Indeed. No mortal man is as hard as Lewis Collins was.

 

[FerrisBFW]

Met him in a pub in Bristol back in the 80's, he was tiny!

 

[CJW]

Me and our son were very excited to join the Transporter gang, having dreamed about it for a long time. We were driving back from buying our T6 and we got caught up in a motorway jam. Could see a thin streak of deep black smoke over the hill. Realised the congestion was because of a vehicle fire. As we pulled alongside with the traffic still moving (very slowly) we were horrified to see a peach of split screen bug in inferno - due to the wind direction, the front looked untouched, the back end had melted away.

Rest of the journey home was a bit subdued.

 

[drinfinity]

Looking at the configurator, the electric LWB looks like a more promising ecamperVan now. Well over 1000kg payload, 250ish miles range. £5K HMRC grant ( not sure of the T&C there) comes in under 50K.

The payload (designated T34) is definitely an improvement. Apparently a 4WD electric version is on the way too.

I was comparing the pricing to my current van. Yes it is more expensive, but there were a lot of price rises came in after I fixed the deal on mine 3 years ago, so if I compare it to the last T6.1 price it’s not so far off. Still a lot though.

 

[PlanB]

I think more likely, what with their multiple current financial woes, they didn't want to/couldn't afford to develop a new model themselves from the ground up.

Both Ford ad VW are in financial trouble.
The commercials are now Ford and the cars are VW.

New Capri an electric Volkswagen ..... anyone?

 

[ginkster]

Both Ford ad VW are in financial trouble.
The commercials are now Ford and the cars are VW.

New Capri an electric Volkswagen ..... anyone?

Ford Tourneo Connect is a rebated Caddy.

New Capri is based on the VW MEB platform - closest to an ID5.

 

[Dave Coughlan]

I drove a new Transit Custom 170 Auto and the new Transporter 150 Manual today. I have to say that the Transporter was nicer to drive. The suspension felt better and more tied down. Considering a 170 Auto 4Motion Panamericana.. Cabin space is better as is load size compared to T6.1. I’m not gone on the front but what else will there be to buy in a couple of years… 5yr warranty and 5 year servicing included in Ireland is a plus.

 

[dane]

Be interesting to know what is covered in the warranty.

Is the Panamericana now not classed as a commercial vehicle?

 

[Sasquatch]

I drove a new Transit Custom 170 Auto and the new Transporter 150 Manual today. I have to say that the Transporter was nicer to drive. The suspension felt better and more tied down. Considering a 170 Auto 4Motion Panamericana.. Cabin space is better as is load size compared to T6.1. I’m not gone on the front but what else will there be to buy in a couple of years… 5yr warranty and 5 year servicing included in Ireland is a plus.

Load size of the standard roof SWB is the same 5.8M3 as the 6.1.

It was alleged that VW had revised the suspension and steering behaviourmto better suit what they regard as their typical buyer, and your experience would bear that out.

 

[Dave Coughlan]

Load size of the standard roof SWB is the same 5.8M3 as the 6.1.

It was alleged that VW had revised the suspension and steering behaviourmto better suit what they regard as their typical buyer, and your experience would bear that out.

Load volume is the same but the new one has a load length 2600 vs 2330 which is great if you need to get a few 8ft sheets in the back. This means for me I can get the swb instead of the lwb…

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Me and our son were very excited to join the Transporter gang, having dreamed about it for a long time. We were driving back from buying our T6 and we got caught up in a motorway jam. Could see a thin streak of deep black smoke over the hill. Realised the congestion was because of a vehicle fire. As we pulled alongside with the traffic still moving (very slowly) we were horrified to see a peach of split screen bug in inferno - due to the wind direction, the front looked untouched, the back end had melted away.

Rest of the journey home was a bit subdued.

The folk in here that have done the NC500 will have noticed all the burnt patches on the roads.
These are always on steep hills and are motorhome or campers grave marks.
Must be the shittest thing ever.
Standing at the side of the road watching your pride and joy, holiday and all your possessions go up in flames.