► The all-new VW Transporter finally revealed in full
► Totally different vehicle to its T6.1 predecessor
► Co-developed with the Ford Transit Custom
The all-new Volkswagen Transporter is on its way, with VW having finally decided it can’t drag out the drip-feeding of the teaser images its seventh-generation medium van. We now have the first official images of the popular commercial vehicle
Despite the drawn-out reveal, we already knew a fair amount about the T7, because of its status as part of ‘Project Cyclone’ commercial vehicle alliance that has already produced the VW Amarok and Ford Ranger.
In this instance, Ford has taken the lead on the project, as it did with the Ranger, which means that the Transporter is going to be largely the same as the recently launched Ford Transit Custom. This is a very good thing in some respects, as the new Ford has shot straight to the top of the class – if you are going to mirror something, make it the best out there.
This means that the Transporter is getting a strong set of diesel engines, an electric version (read our Ford E-Transit Custom review to get more of an idea what this will be like), a variety of lengths and heights and some innovative features such as a flat cabin floor and an L-shaped bulkhead that will offer more storage space with two rows of seating. The latter is to be called the ‘Plus’ and will offer two seats and a narrow section of full-length loading bay.
How different is the new Transporter to the Transit Custom?
While the fundamental shape remains the same as the Ford’s, the first images show that VW has tried hard to give the Transporter its own identity, with it naturally taking on a fair amount of the passenger car range’s elements.
According to VW Commercial Vehicles’ chief designer, Albert Kirzinger, ‘One second is all it takes to immediately recognise the Transporter – which has been redesigned from the first to last millimetre – as the successor to the T6.1 and as a member of the Bulli family.’ Bulli being the historic nickname for these vans in Europe.
Kirzinger adds: ‘The design consistently follows the iconic Bulli DNA. This is already evident in the main body, which has the characteristic contour for the product line below the side windows – we call it the Bulli line.’
While Kirzinger also says every new Transporter generation represents ‘a new interpretation’ (inevitable here due to the Ford relationship), he also points out a number of features that echo or pay homage to previous models. For instance, the shape of the front grille is influenced by the T5 generation, the T6.1 (the current model) shows up in the headlights. The Bulli line, which separates the upper and lower portions of the body is a clear throwback to the T1.
Other design details revealed in the latest round of info includes the option of 16-, 17- and – yikes – 19-inch alloy wheels. The fuel filler flap is in the B-pillar, as usual, while the charging port for the plug-in hybrid and electric van variants is under the right headlight. The rear doors recessed into the bumper to create a low (ish) loading height of 575-638mm, depending on version.
How practical will the VW Transporter be?
Despite all the design talk – and the 19-inch wheels – the new Transporter is still aiming to be a practical van, with a maximum carrying capacity of 1.33 tonnes and a top towing weight of 2.8 tonnes promised.
These are the maximum figures and VW has yet to confirm the full range. However, if you want a good overall guide then again take a look at the Ford. There will be slight variances between the two, depending on trim and spec, though – the most basic Transit Custom can take more than 1,400kg for example.
What is the same is the exterior and loadbay dimensions. Compared to the outgoing Transporter T6.1, the Transporter gets a boost in size all around. There are two lengths on offer, with wheelbases of 3100mm and 3500mm resulting in overall dimensions of 5050mm and 5450mm respectively.
There will also be two heights, with the shorter sitting just under 2m and the taller sitting not far short of 2.5m. This results in interior loading capacity ranging between 5.8m3 and 9.0m3. This comes thanks to a rear loading bay that is 61mm longer than the old Transporter, and 148mm wider between the wheel arches, which makes it easier to store that ubiquitous measure of a van’s practicality, the Euro pallet.
When it comes to passengers, there will be two individual seats as standard, but you can get three-, four-, five- and six-seater versions too. There should be a Kombi version in the future, too, with a third row of seats, taking capacity up to a maximum of nine.
What engines will the Volkswagen Transporter come with?
There will be a range of diesel engines to start off with, with the units the same as those in the Ford. There will be a 110hp, 150hp and 170hp option, with front-wheel drive the standard setup. However, you will also be able to get the two more powerful engines with rear-wheel drive as well.
A plug-in hybrid, called eHybrid, will join the range later on. This will combine electric and petrol power to produce a total output of 233hp. There will also be an electric model, with four potential power outputs ranging from 116hp to 286hp, but it remains to be seen which will make it to the UK.
What equipment will the Volkswagen Transporter come with?
The standard levels of equipment on the Transporter promise to be generous, with LED headlights and taillights, lane keeping assistance, autonomous emergency braking and an electronic parking brake with auto hold all expected to be included.
There will also be a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13-inch touchscreen on every version. The touchscreen system is likely to be the same as the Ford’s, even running on the same operating system, but with a VW twist. This means it might have different physical controls and VW’s own colours and fonts, even if it operates in the same way. It will come with DAB+ radio, online service, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
When can I buy the new Volkswagen Transporter and how much will it cost?
The drawn-out process is set to continue a while yet, with the full camouflage not expected to be revealed until summer 2024 at the earliest. The first vans won’t then come to the UK until early 2025.
Perhaps unsurprisingly we don’t have UK pricing details yet, but VW has confirmed that it will start at €36,780 in Germany – that’s around £31,500 or so. We’ll bring more information as it lands.