- 173,155
- 431 below average
- 8,977 fair
- Greeley, CO
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- autoshopper.com
- 431 below average 173,155 silver automatic
2001 volkswagen eurovan review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Horsepower is way up, price is way down. introductionsince the dawn of time, or at least around about 1950, volkswagen has produced a minivan. We didn't call it such then. But they've also been slow. Even the 2000 eurovan, with 140 horsepower under its blunt snout, was more barn than barnburner. but for 2001, vw fired up the eurovan. The '01 has almost half again as much horsepower with a new 201-horsepower version of its vr6 v6 engine. and the price has tumbled more than $5,000, from $31,300 last year to $26,200 for the '01 models on sale in march. an electronic stability program (esp) comes standard on all 2001 models, along with 16-inch alloy wheels. Enhancements including a new premium stereo, individual chairs for second row seating and standard integrated fog lights help further americanize the eurovan. in a world of increasingly similar minivans, each striving to be more car-like than the other, the volkswagen eurovan is decidedly different. It's shaped like a box where others are round and sleek. It has a significantly higher driving position, and it lacks a left-side sliding door. Eurovan gls contains traditional forward-facing center and rear seats, with last year's optional individual seats for the second row made standard this year. It's just the thing for that big trip to yellowstone. It can be outfitted with a pop-up roof, full-swiveling captain's chairs, two-burner lp gas stove, refrigerator and other amenities. a $3,235 weekender package available on the mv comes with a pop-up canopy top and many of the other amenities of the camper without the longer wheelbase. walkaroundremove the nameplates and badges from a parking lot full of minivans and volkswagen's eurovan would be the easiest to identify. It looks like no other minivan on the market. And despite the fact that there's nothing else like it in the volkswagen showroom, it somehow has a look that is undeniably volkswagen. The front end is plain, interrupted only by lights and the radiator grille. Only a ups van is more slab-sided. It is attractive in a form-follows-function way. most love it or loathe it. Maybe they were fantasizing about filling the rear window with grateful dead and nine inch nails stickers. volkswagen's modern eurovan does indeed bear some resemblance to the vw microbuses of old. Mechanically, it is completely different. It's front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive. The engine is mounted in front (transversely), instead of in the rear. Output has been raised to 201 horsepower at 6200 rpm from last year's 140 horsepower at 4500 rpm. this year's engine also has more grunt across the board, producing 181 foot-pounds of torque from 2500 to 5500 rpm (verses last year's 177 lbs.-ft. From 3000-4300 rpm). Increased torque allows the eurovan to tow a 4,400-pound trailer (equipped with electric brakes). The tradeoff is an appetite for premium fuel, which it burns at an epa-estimated city/highway 15/20 miles per gallon. (it's a snug fit under the short hood, but all service items are readily accessible.) all eurovans come with a 4-speed automatic transmission with adaptive programming. Traction control and an electronic stability program (esp) are standard, as is an electronic differential lock to help pull the eurovan out of slippery spots. suspension is fully independent, with double wishbones and torsion bars up front and semi-trailing arms and coil springs at the rear. A load-proportional braking system biases brake pressure front-to-rear as needed -- a nice feature when loaded with heavy gear. Vw replaced last year's 15-inch alloy wheels with 16-inch alloys for 2001. ground clearance is generous at 7 inches, but the overall height of 6 foot, 4 inches will make some parking garages a tight fit overhead. interiorbehind the wheel of the eurovan, it's obvious this isn't just another dodge caravan wannabe. The eurovan driver sits much higher than drivers do in other minivans, looking down on those in caravans and windstars. There's a commanding view from the bridge. foot room is limited, encroached by the front wheelwells and tight packaging. Both have left and right armrests and are a good place to watch the road go by. the steering wheel does not have a tilt function, and some may be put off by the somewhat bus-like angle of the steering wheel. It isn't nearly as bus-like as the wheel on the old microbus, however. The fully automatic dual zone (front and rear) climate control system is adjustable in one-degree increments. An ambient air thermometer is included, which is useful in changing weather conditions. The ventilation system includes a dust/pollen filter, beneficial for hay fever sufferers. overall the interior looks more institutional than luxurious, but it is comfortable. The ambiance is one of functionality rather than style, with straight lines serving where straight lines will fit. Foot room is shared, and even with cooperation and coordination there will be accidentally kicked ankles. This arrangement makes a lot more sense when the tray table is raised. It's nice for those roadside lunches, impromptu card games and tailgate parties. An overhead fluorescent lamp adds lighting to the regular dome lights. The rear seat can be converted into a passable bed and privacy curtains snap all around the interior. pass-through panels under the rear seat allow long items to be carried. It bolts in, however, and will require a wrench to remove. The power glass sunroof, a $1,000 option, uses a fabric shade that's not opaque but blocks the sun, even on bright days. We're also partial to the $400 heated front seats, with settings from 1 to 5 on dash-mounted thumb wheels. The right-side sliding door provides a child lock for extra safety. driving impressionvolkswagen's v6 is very smooth and delivers on its promise of torque. Snap the throttle open and the front end rises slightly while the eurovan accelerates. With the added power, other minivan drivers will have to be alert to get the drop on the vw. No more excuses and rationalizations are needed for the eurovan's acceleration capability. The v6-powered eurovan easily cruises at or above any posted limit in the u. The cruise control works very well, maintaining a constant speed on interstate grades. 'tomb-like' would not describe the eurovan on the interstate. Wind, road, and engine noise all raise the interior sound level, though not objectionably so. despite its big flat sides, the eurovan tracks like a bullet on the interstates, even with crosswinds. It responds to the steering wheel with immediacy and precision. The natural expectation for this tall vehicle is for oodles of lean in hard cornering, but not so with the eurovan. There is little tilt and no sway. It is remarkably confidence building, with a steady dose of understeer and feedback. Volkswagen has strengthened the body and the increased rigidity allows the fully independent suspension to do its job well. The 38. 4-foot turning radius wasn't a problem in. Power Windows✔ Climate Control✔ Cruise Control✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Alloy Wheels
8,977 Greeley, COGreeley, CO at autoshopper.com