Originally twinned with the air-cooled Beetle, the Transporter became its own thing in 1990 with the introduction of the fourth generation. The sixth generation rolled out in 2016 with underpinnings from the fifth generation. Otherwise put, it's high time for Volkswagen to redesign this fellow.
Not to be confused with the T7 Multivan, the T7 Transporter will be available to pre-order in Germany starting December 14. Early birds will benefit from a lower starting price, and first deliveries are scheduled for early 2025. By then, it's likely that the T7 Transporter will be joined by the T7 Caravelle.
Transporter means panel van, whereas the Caravelle is a people hauler. The T7 Multivan is best described as the car-based sibling of the Caravelle, for the T7 Multivan is underpinned by the MQB platform rather than the Transporter's platform. By the way, similar to the T7-generation Multivan, the T7-generation Transporter and Caravelle have been confirmed with turbo diesel and plug-in muscle.
Pre-orders will kick off on December 14 for the diesel-engined Transporter, which is coming in four different flavors. The panel van is joined by the panel van Plus, the panel van with an L partition, Kombi, and double cab chassis. Advertised under the German automaker's long-running TDI nameplate, said turbo diesels belt out 81, 110, and 125 kilowatts. In other words, make that 110, 150, and 170 metric ponies.
The Transporter eHybrid plug-in hybrid offers 171 kW (233 ps). Last but certainly not least, the all-electric eTransporter flaunts anything between 85 and 210 kW (116 to 286 ps). The base version packs a 54-kWh battery, which is four kilowatt hours down on the 58-kWh ID.3 Pro for the European Union.
Photo: Volkswagen
The eHybrid is front-wheel drive by design, whereas TDI-powered vans can be had with 4MOTION all-wheel drive as long as the 2.0-liter turbo diesel produces 110 kW or 125 kW. The eTransporter will be rear-wheel drive at launch, with a dual-motor version to roll out sometime after the fossil-fuel T7 Transporter launches in late 2024 for 2025. Unfortunately, Volkswagen didn't say exactly when.
Priced at 36,780 euros for early birds, meaning 39,675 dollars at current exchange rates, the all-new Transporter offers load capacities of 5.8 to 9.0 cubic meters (204.8 to 317.8 cubic feet). Maximum payload has also gone up (1.3 tons or 2,866 pounds in old money) over the outgoing T6.1, whereas the maximum trailer weight is 2.8 tons/6,173 pounds.
The panel van and Kombi, which is a panel van with windows in the rear, will be offered with high-roof and long-wheelbase options. The high-roof option will also be available on regular-wheelbase models. Speaking of which, the T7-generation Transporter offers 3,100 millimeters (122.0 inches) and 3,500 millimeters (137.8 inches). Volkswagen quotes 5,050 and 5,450 millimeters in terms of overall length.
Wider than its predecessor, the T7 boasts extended standard equipment, beginning with LED headlights and taillights. Other highlights include a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, a 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Lane Assist, an electronic parking brake, Auto Hold, a multifunction steering wheel, Autonomous Emergency Braking Front Assist, rain-sensing wipers, and Dynamic Road Sign Display. Of course, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard as well, along with DAB+ radio.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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