The Volkswagen Transporter is now available with a 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine with 150 PS or 204 PS power ratings.

The Volkswagen Transporter is now available to order with a petrol engine. The move follows the recent price cut for petrol-engined Caddy vans.

Buyers can choose between two 2.0-litre TSI units developing 150 PS and 204 PS. The latter is equipped with a seven-speed DSG gearbox as standard and available for front- or four-wheel drive, while the former comes with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive only.

Maximum torque or pulling power, is 280 Nm from 1,500 to 3,750 rpm for the 150 PS version, and 350 Nm from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm for the 204 PS. The new units are available for order now, and can be specified across the Transporter range, including in the California campervan, Caravelle Executive, Shuttle, kombi and panel van variants.

These petrol engines naturally have less torque than their diesel equivalents, but for many light and medium-duty applications they’ll be fine. Operators doing low mileage or lots of short journeys should also benefit from fewer DPF problems as their vans age.

Petrol vans are cheaper

One other advantage is that the petrol models are cheaper than their diesel equivalents. VW says that the Transporter Highline T28 panel van with a 2.0TSI 150 PS engine is £1,000 cheaper to buy outright than the equivalent diesel model.

Volkswagen says that this upfront cost saving means that it would take just over 18,000 miles before the diesel’s lower fuel consumption delivered any cost savings. Food for thought for low mileage drivers, such as tradesmen and campervan owners.

Transporter’s with petrol power are available to order now, with prices starting from £22,625 +VAT.