Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has unveiled the seventh-generation (T7) Transporter, which is largely based on the Ford Transit Custom/Tourneo as part of the partnership between both automakers.
At launch, the Transporter will be offered in three variants targeted at businesses, including a panel van for goods transport, a crewbus for passenger transport as well as a double cab with a platform body and long wheelbase.
There is also the nine-seat Caravelle designed for commercial passenger transport, which is perfect for hotels and businesses to shuttle guests around. This is available in three trim levels, including an entry-level option, the mid-range Life and range-topping Style. Depending on the configuration, buyers can option a high roof and extended wheelbase, and the Transporter as a panel van and the Caravelle can also be had in the PanAmericana all-terrain version.
The new design of the Transporter, which is visually distinctive from its Ford sibling, boasts a higher payload than before. With a normal wheelbase and roof, the stowage volume is 10% higher at 5.8 cubic metres, which increases to nine cubic metres with a long wheelbase and high roof. The maximum payload is also up by 0.13 tonnes to 1.33 tonnes, while the the maximum trailer weight has been increased by 0.3 tonnes to 2.8 tonnes (braked, with 12% gradient).
On the matter of dimensions, the new T7 is 5,050 mm long, or 146 mm more than before, while the wheelbase has grown by 97 mm to 3,101 mm. The long-wheelbase version has an overall length of 5,450 mm and its wheelbase gains an additional 400 mm. Excluding the mirrors, the latest Transporter is also wider at 2,032 mm, with the maximum width between the wheel arches being enough to accommodate Euro pallets with ease at 1,392 mm.
On the inside, the Transporter has been modernised to feature a 12-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system. A multi-function steering wheel comes standard, as is a switch-type handbrake and push-start button.
Other revisions include a column-mounted gear lever for automatic variants to save space and provide better access to the load or passenger compartment. There are also large cupholders for the front centre console, while the upper are of the dashboard gets additional cupholders and practical storage compartments.
In terms of powertrains, the Transport will be available with diesel (TDI), plug-in hybrid (eHybrid) and pure electric options (e-Transporter and e-Caravelle) for the first time. The TDI engines have outputs of 110 PS (109 hp or 81 kW), 150 PS (148 hp or 110 kW) and 170 PS (168 hp or 125 kW), and can be had with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic depending on pairing – all-wheel drive is also optionally available.
As for the eHybrid, it serves up a total system output of 232 PS (229 hp or 171 kW), while the fully electric models get a 64-kWh battery juicing a motor rated at either 136 PS (134 hp or 100 kW), 218 PS (215 hp or 160 kW) or 286 PS (282 hp or 210 kW).
To advertise the new Transporter, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles roped in Hollywood star Jason Statham, who is known for the cult film series The Transporter. While he may be known for driving a BMW and Audis in the films, those cars won’t be able to haul as much as a van, although not as quickly.
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