VOLKSWAGEN has axed its one-year warranty in favour of a three-year/100,000-mile warranty for its entire factory-produced commercial vehicle range. This permanent increase is accompanied by a temporary offer for free servicing on all LT models for three years/100,000 miles if purchased before the end of the year.

The move follows Ford's decision to offer extended warranties and free servicing for three years/50,000 miles on all LWB Transits. A Volkswagen spokesman said: 'It is our objective to take the worry out of running a van.'

The LT also now goes on sale with two new 90bhp and 109bhp versions of the 2.5 TDI unit. These replace the 102bhp 2.5 TDI and join the existing entry-level 75bhp 2.5 SDI and the recently uprated 130bhp 2.8 TDI, giving a choice of four diesel engines. The new engines see prices drop on average by £350 (plus VAT) for the 90bhp version but increase by an average of £150 for the 109bhp version.