► The new VW Transporter is on the way
► 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 slowly drip-feeding details of the medium van.
In some senses, then, we don’t know everything about the new Transporter, but in others we know quite a lot. This is because it has been co-developed with Ford as part of the two companies’ commercial vehicle partnership 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 senses, 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 will get a strong set of diesel engines, an electric version, 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.
How practical will the VW Transporter be?
VW has only released disguised images of the new Transporter so far. While the fundamental shape will remain the same as the Ford’s, it is likely that there will be some notable visual changes inside and out, mainly around the front end. It has also confirmed some of the payload and storage capabilities, 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 take a look at the Ford’s range. 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.