The all-new, seventh-generation Volkswagen Transporter has been revealed this week at the Hanover commercial vehicle show in Germany.
This is the biggest update to the Transporter’s design in more than two decades, and marks a fundamental shift for one of Volkswagen’s oldest nameplates. Rather than developing its own platform for the Transporter T7, the new model is based on the latest Ford Transit Custom – launched last year – as part of the ongoing LCV joint venture programme between Volkswagen and Ford.
It also means that the Transporter will now be built in Ford’s factory in Germany, unlike previous versions that were built in Volkswagen’s Hanover plant. This is unlikely to have any impact on UK supply, however.
The new Transporter T7 will be offered in a similar range of body styles and varations to the previous T6 generation, which has been on sale since 2015 and was itself a heavily updated development of the T5 generation that was launched way back in 2002.
More space and payload
Volkswagen claims that the new Transporter will offer more space, increased payload and trailer weight, and a vastly improved cabin experience. Customers will also be able to choose from diesel, petrol/electric plug-in hybrid and all-electric models to suit their business needs.
Load space on the base-spec Transporter (standard wheelbase and roof height) has increased by 10% over the T6 to 5.8m3. With the long wheelbase and high roof combination, this goes up to 9.0m3. Depending on specification, maximum payload peaks at 1,330kg, an improvement of 130kg on the T6. Trailer weight also improves to a maximum of 2,800kg, which is an improvement of 300kg. Unsurprisingly, all of these figures are the same as for the Ford Transit Custom.
As usual, the new Transporter will be offered in multiple panel van configuations, as well as ‘Kombi’ and ‘Transporter Shuttle’ passenger version and double cab-chassis version.
A variety of powertrain options
As well as sharing development costs, the joint venture with Ford means that Volkswagen can offer a wider variety of powertrain options on the new Transporter. The biggest volume sellers in the short term will continue to be diesel engines, with three versions of the same 2.0-litre engine offering power outputs of 110hp, 150hp and 170hp. The 110hp version is only available with a manual gearbox, while the 150hp is offered in either manual or automatic form. The 170hp version is automatic only. The 150hp and 170hp versions are also optionally available in all-wheel drive.
The plug-in hybrid version isn’t expected to launch for at least another year. It will combine a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined power output of 230hp.
For the first time, Volkswagen will offer a factory electric option with the new e-Transporter. Two power outputs will be available, with 136hp and 218hp. Both share the same battery size of 64kWh. Range details have yet to be provided, but Ford claims 163-209 miles for the E-Transit Custom depending on model and specification, so expect something very similar.
The electric versions are also expected to offer V2L (vehicle-to-load) capability, so that operators can run their electrical tools and equipment from 230-volt power sockets in the vehicle.
Completely redesigned cabin
The cabin of the new Transporter offers the greatest visual difference over previous models, for two reasons. It’s been almost ten years since the T6 was launched, although there was a substantial T6.1 update in 2019, and vehicle design at all levels is now dominated by large screens for navigation, audio and heating/air-conditioning. The new Transporter completely leans into this with a large digital display that controls most of the van’s functions.
Secondly, and again unsurprisingly, the T7’s layout is underpinned by its Ford origins, so everything is slightly different to Volkswagen’s previous design.
UK pricing and specification
As yet, no information has been announced about UK pricing or specifications, or even an on-sale date. We expect this information to be forthcoming in the next few weeks, and it’s likely that we’ll see the first vehicles on UK roads in Spring next year. The plug-in hybrid models are not expected to arrive in the UK until 2026.
Volkswagen’s own website doesn’t yet have much information, either. We’ll bring you more details as soon as they’re available.
