James
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- Messages
- 2,344
- Location
- Broadclyst, Devon
So after a few days driving round, Betty has lived up to the expectation of being truly multi purpose. No camping trips as such, though my dad spent a night sleeping in her.
What's good? I like the individuality - i like having something that is a bit different, not just as vehicle but as a VW. I like the practicality of the Beach, there is a lot of thought got into it. It's actually, even on the Beach, good fun to set it up. There is no doubt driving the Beach puts a smile on your face. And the driving experience is actually quite good, the 115bhp engine takes a while to wind up, but the steering has a surprising amount of feel and it feels quite nimble. You're high up, which round here is a blessing, it helps to deal with idiots, in particular those who either brake to turn left suddenly or somehow feel indicating should be a last minute thing. The Van is comfortable, there's lots of space around the driver.
What am I not so keen on, not much, and nothing that has come as a surprise. Plastics are not fantastic and the detail can be lacking but this is based upon a Van. Some of the very intuitive controls I had in my Volvo which was something of a genius at having the switches in the right places. And nothing will match the comfort of the Volvo seats
.
And then there is the start stop... Aside from creating obvious tension from those inside when you come to a stop and the van switches itself off, what else does it achieve? I am using it to see what it does achieve. It is a strange sensation to be sat lights with the engine not running. What are other people's opinion on the Start/Stop?
The wheels on the Bluemotion could be bigger - I actually don't like big wheels on vans, but they are tiny on the Bluemotion and whilst I realise they are part of the 'eco package' - a set of bi colour Dakars - Thunder Alloys - or some Borbets would look much bettet, again any thoughts on this? Would they really make much difference to the fuel economy?
James
What's good? I like the individuality - i like having something that is a bit different, not just as vehicle but as a VW. I like the practicality of the Beach, there is a lot of thought got into it. It's actually, even on the Beach, good fun to set it up. There is no doubt driving the Beach puts a smile on your face. And the driving experience is actually quite good, the 115bhp engine takes a while to wind up, but the steering has a surprising amount of feel and it feels quite nimble. You're high up, which round here is a blessing, it helps to deal with idiots, in particular those who either brake to turn left suddenly or somehow feel indicating should be a last minute thing. The Van is comfortable, there's lots of space around the driver.
What am I not so keen on, not much, and nothing that has come as a surprise. Plastics are not fantastic and the detail can be lacking but this is based upon a Van. Some of the very intuitive controls I had in my Volvo which was something of a genius at having the switches in the right places. And nothing will match the comfort of the Volvo seats
. And then there is the start stop... Aside from creating obvious tension from those inside when you come to a stop and the van switches itself off, what else does it achieve? I am using it to see what it does achieve. It is a strange sensation to be sat lights with the engine not running. What are other people's opinion on the Start/Stop?
The wheels on the Bluemotion could be bigger - I actually don't like big wheels on vans, but they are tiny on the Bluemotion and whilst I realise they are part of the 'eco package' - a set of bi colour Dakars - Thunder Alloys - or some Borbets would look much bettet, again any thoughts on this? Would they really make much difference to the fuel economy?
James
