We caught a camouflaged prototype of the next-generation Volkswagen Transporter (T7) about a month ago, and now we have the first official details. VW released the first teaser images of the new microbus and confirmed it will debut n the spring of next year. That's all the company is willing to share for now, but we already know a great deal about the commercial vehicle.
From the few available images, we can see the new Transporter will look a lot like the latest Multivan, which was unveiled in 2021 as VW's passenger van based on its own MQB platform. While the two models share design elements, they will be vastly different underneath. The larger Transporter will ride on a platform sourced from Ford, which means the VW van will be a rebadged and redesigned version of the new Transit Custom.
Volkswagen promises it will offer “the right” Transporter for everyone, which is likely a reference to its comprehensive powertrain range. For reference, the Transit Custom can be had with a diesel engine where the output varies from 109 horsepower (81 kilowatts) to 168 hp (125 kW). There’s also a bus with a plug, which has a 2.5-liter gas engine running on the Atkinson cycle, supported by an electric motor and an 11.8-kilowatt-hour battery. That lineup will likely be mirrored in the T7.
For those looking for a fully electric version, Volkswagen will likely install the powertrain of the E-Transit Custom. It has a single-motor layout with a peak output of 135 hp (100 kW) or 217 hp (160 kW). A 74-kilowatt-hour battery pack provides the electric energy, which is enough for a WLTP-certified range of up to 236 miles (380 kilometers) on a single charge.
With the launch of the T7, Volkswagen will have its bus lineup completed. When it goes on sale next year, it will join the Multivan – a family-oriented van – and the ID. Buzz. A passenger version of the new Transporter will be sold under the Caravelle moniker.
