Vw Kombi Loses Its 'alternative' Image

Sun Herald

Saturday July 21, 1990

UNLIKE its famous predecessor, it's doubtful if the vehicle shown here will ever be plastered with peace symbols, flower-power paint schemes or bumper stickers imploring Land Rights For Gay Whales.

It's the 1991 Volkswagen Kombi, the first totally new variation on the Kombi design in 40 years. The Volkswagenwerk is about to kill off the legendary rear-drive layout in favour of this front-engined, front-drive design.

The Germans have revealed their new box on wheels prior to its September arrival in European showrooms. It will be late next year before it reaches Australia.

Code-named T4, the new Kombi will be available with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, optional four-wheel drive and automatic transmission.

Australia will get a 2.5 litre five-cylinder petrol engine which, VW claims, wreaks a transformation in the Kombi's velocity. From rest to 100 km/h in the new bus takes 11 seconds. In the old 60s and 70s air-cooled models-the ones with permanent Castrol halitosis from the exhaust-it could take a week to a fortnight, depending on headwinds.

The new T4 promises an end to all that, with passenger car levels of performance, handling and crash safety.