Seventh-gen VW Transporter debuts at IAA
BY PETER BARNWELL | 17th Sep 2024
VOLKSWAGEN used the IAA Transportation 2024 commercial vehicle event in Germany for the world premiere of its new seventh-generation Transporter (T7) van and variants including the Caravelle people mover, the auto-maker spruiking improvements across the board.
Available in Australia early next year, the new Transporter promises more space, an increased payload and towing capacity and what VW calls a “professional” cockpit. It shares the same platform as Ford’s new Transit Custom model.
The Veedub is available with a number of drive systems it says are “in step with the times” meaning efficient turbo-diesels with front- and all-wheel drive, plug-in hybrid and fully electric options.
As in the past, the new VW van has a clean and distinctive exterior design carrying forward the unmistakable style of its six predecessors.
Broadening appeal for the new model, VW says it has the right van for everyone with the new Transporter and Caravelle completing the so-called Bulli family consisting of the Multivan, California and ID. Buzz.
Delving a little deeper into what the T7 has to offer, it seems pretty much every detail has been upgraded in some way, exemplified by the extra interior space and load capacity while at the same time delivering claims of better fuel economy and “sustainability”.
The T7 range centres around three vehicles: the new Transporter, the Multivan and the ID. Buzz. The Transporter product line is divided into two categories: pure commercial vehicles and the Caravelle series with which it shares a platform.
The Multivan, based on VW Group’s MQB passenger car architecture, is the recreational and business van in the range and has also recently been launched as the newly designed California camper van. Meanwhile the electric ID. Buzz and its commercial counterpart, the ID. Buzz Cargo, are based on the exclusively battery electric MEB platform.
Together, the three Volkswagen van model series form the most extensive range of vans, buses and camper vans in their class on the market.
Transporter variants include a panel van with various partitions and seat configurations, two wheelbases and two roof heights.
The Kombi (passenger transport) and the more exclusive Caravelle (shuttle, large-capacity taxi, VW bus for families) are also available in two different wheelbase lengths.
Unique in the segment and a characteristic Bulli variant is the drop side with double cab and both Transporter and Caravelle are available as the PanAmericana all-terrain version.
VW says the drive systems cater to various specific requirements, for example, owners operating primarily within urban areas want electric mobility in order to keep running costs as low as possible while city-based companies with longer travel distances often favour plug-in hybrids and firms involved in long-distance goods transport, on-site assembly and industrial transport generally opt for turbo-diesel engines.
Power output from the seven drivetrain options ranges from 81kW to 210kW and for the first time includes a plug-in hybrid and three battery electric options (e-Transporter and e-Caravelle) alongside three redesigned turbo-diesel engines (TDI). Two of the TDIs are also available with all-wheel drive.
The new plug-in hybrid is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission and outputs a combined 171kW to the front wheels. A 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine develops 320Nm and another 205Nm is contributed by the electric motor. No fuel consumption figures are available at the moment.
Battery electric e-Transporter and e-Caravelle models are rear-wheel drive, available with outputs of 100kW, 160kW and 210kW, fed from a 64kWh (net) battery.
Versions with reduced power and a smaller battery for urban delivery transport will be available in future and, like their diesel and plug-in hybrid counterparts, the e-Transporter and e-Caravelle will be offered with two different wheelbases.
Not only is the T7 roomier inside, it offers a higher payload and greater towing capacity. The cargo volume of the panel van with standard wheelbase and roof has increased by more than 10 per cent to 5.8 cubic metres. With the long wheelbase and high roof, this increases to 9.0 cubic metres.
It gives the LWB variant a three Euro pallet capacity in the load compartment. The maximum payload has increased to up to 1.33 tonnes (0.13 tonnes more then before) and maximum trailer weight may be up to 2800kg model dependent (previously 2500kg).
A new cockpit “landscape” combines digital displays and controls with robust hard keys.
Included are various USB-A, USB-C and 12-volt ports as well as a 230V socket on the driver’s seat. The plug-in hybrid and electric models can be fitted with two additional 230V sockets in the load compartment; the total output is 2.3kW.
The standard equipment package is greater for the T7 with the following: LED headlights including light assist, LED tail light clusters, an electronic parking brake with auto hold function, 12-inch digital instruments (Digital Cockpit), an infotainment system (including DAB+, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, online services and 13-inch touchscreen) and a multifunction steering wheel.
Other range-wide standard equipment includes keyless start, rain sensor, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking system and dynamic road sign display.
The panel van is now also equipped with a partition as standard while the Kombi scores windows in the rear and is characterised by three individual seats in the second row and an audio system with six instead of four speakers.
